Salix fragilis
Crack Willow
Family Salicaceae
Description
Small rapid growing tree. Twigs break off with a sharp crack.
Height to 27m Age typically to 200 years but possibly 1000.
Habitat
By Streams.
Natural Distribution
British Isles except Ireland. Europe across Asia to Siberia.
The Tree Year
Flowers Leaves Fruit Ripen Fall
April April May/June
Propagation and Growth
Easily grown from sets. Seed wind dispersed and twigs blown off by
storms carried by streams and naturally planted.
Timber
Wood is pinkish, soft, light, brittle and easily splits.
Uses of Wood
Varied uses such as children's toys, artificial limbs and charcoal.
Food and Drink
Used as folk remedy for various ills but active ingredient found to be salicylic acid and now supplied as "Aspirin".
Related Species
Salix pentandre
Bay Willow
Family Salicaceae
Description
Height 18m
Habitat
Wet Places.
Natural Distribution
North Wales and Northwards.
The Tree Year
Flowers Leaves Fruit Ripen Fall
May/June May/June
Propagation and Growth
Timber
Uses of Wood
Food and Drink
Related Species
Sorbus aria
Whitebeam
Description
Medium Deciduous tree with red berries.
Height 20m
Habitat
Calcareous woods in association with ash, beech, field maple, hawthorn and wych elm.
Natural Distribution
Southern England, Central and Southern Europe.
The Tree Year
Flowers Leaves Fruit Ripen Fall
May/June May September
Propagation and Growth
Grown from seed. treat seed by moist chilling starting December for April planting. Approx 31,000 seeds per kg. Black seeds similar to Apple pips.
Timber
Brown wood quite hard good timber.
Uses of Wood
Tool handle, turnery, furniture, plywood.
Food and Drink
Edible fruit can be made into jam and wine.
Related Species
A number of very similar species are found with limited distribution and are believed to be hybrids between Sorbus aria and Sorbus torminalis (Wild Service Tree). Irish Whitebeam (S. hibernica) found in calcerous woods in Ireland. The other varieties are found in South West England and South Wales.
Sorbus aucuparia
Rowan
Mountain Ash
Gaelic Caorunn
Welsh Cerddin
Family Rosaceae
Description
Small vigorous hardy deciduous tree producing large number of red berries in autumn. Coppices well.
Height 15m but up to 18m Age 100 years or more
Habitat
Light and peaty soils not water logged up to 1000m. Pioneer species not tolerant of shading except in some Scots Pine woods.
Natural Distribution
Commonest West and North of Britain but native throughout Britain and Ireland. Also Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor.
The Tree Year
Flowers Leaves Fruit Ripen Fall
May/June April September October/November
Propagation and Growth
Grown from seed. Treat as per Whitebeam. Approx 200,000 seeds per kg.
Timber
Dense hard pale brown wood.
Uses of Wood
Turnery and carving and good firewood. Used to make bows in middleages. Formerly used for tool handles, mallet heads, bowls and platters.
Food and Drink
Berries are edible and used to make rowan jelly which is eaten with game. Enjoyed by birds who disperse seed.
Related Species
Other Sorbus species.
Page 5.25/26/27/28 - Native Trees of the British Isles