Corylus avellana
Hazel
Family Corylaceae
Description
Deciduous shrubs and small trees frequently coppiced and used for hedges. Many superstitions associated with hazel form Celtic times. Height max 6m Max age 70-80years
Habitat
Not acid soils. Often found as understorey in oak woodlands.
Natural Distribution
All of British Isles and Europe, West Asia and North Africa.
The Tree Year 

Flowers          Leaves           Fruit            Ripen            Fall

Feb                 May           Aug-Sept         Oct            November

Catkins very distinctive in February when nothing else in flower or leaf.
Propagation and growth
From seed - dispersion aided by animals. Easily grown from nuts kept cool and moist till spring.
Timber
White to reddish, tough and flexible. Was extensively coppiced providing long sticks for a variety of uses.
Uses of Wood
Used in past for cask hoops, basketry, walking sticks, hurdles, thatching, spars and devining rods. Good firewood.
Food and Drink
Nutritious and tasty nuts taken by large birds and by squirrels and mice that store the nuts. Nuts produced from pruned bushes grown in open conditions like a fruit orchard.
Related Species

Craetaegus laevigata
Midland Thorn

Two styled Thorn

(Craetaegus oxyacantha)

Family Rosaceae
Description
Deciduous shrub or tree with red flowers. Can have single trunk. Height Max 10m
Habitat
Heavy soils
Natural Distribution
South and East England
The Tree Year
Flowers Leaves Fruit Ripen Fall May/Jun Apr Aug Oct Nov
Propagation and growth
Grown from seed - two or three seeds per fruit.
Timber
Uses of Wood
Food and Drink
Related Species
Crataegus monygna - common Hawthorn is a closely related native tree - see later. The red flowered Hawthorn grown in gardens is derived from Midland Thorn.

Crataegus monygna
Hawthorn, May, Whitethorn
Family Rosaceae
Description
Deciduous tree dense leaved and thorny with short trunk. Commonly used for stock proof hedging. New shoots and leaves are reddish. Distinctive white blossom with strong scent and red berries (haws) later. Height 10 - 15m Age long lived - 250 years
Habitat
Found on all soil types. Protects seedlings of other broadleaved trees particularly oak from predation and hence aids natural regeneration.
Natural Distribution
Throughout British Isles and Europe to 500m.
The Tree Year 

Flowers           Leaves            Fruit            Ripen          Fall

May-June        Mar-Apr       Jul-Aug      Oct-Nov       Nov
Propagation and growth
Seed is deeply dormant - treat as for Acer campestre. Approx 8000 germinable seeds per Kg. Also grown from cuttings. Grows rapidly for first 15 years or so. For hedges grow in seed beds for 2 years and then transplant into rows. Ready to plant into hedges at 4 years. Weeding improves growth significantly. Laying hedges to make them stockproof is an old country skill.
Timber
White streaky or pale pinkish. Tough hard and heavy wood.
Uses of Wood
Walking sticks, tool handles, engraving and all turnery. Good firewood.
Food and Drink
Haws attractive to birds and spread in this way.
Related Species
Midland Thorn

Fagus sylvatica
Beech
Family Fagaceae
Description
Magnificent, large, deciduous tree. Important economic forestry tree. Height Max 40m Age mature at 120 years
Habitat
Chalky soils and limestone but tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions. Up to 300m
Natural Distribution
Southern England to Gloucestershire and a few localities in South Wales. Found throughout most of Europe except Spain, Former USSR, Norway and Sweden.
The Tree Year 

Flowers         Leaves        Fruit          Ripen         Fall

Apr-May       Mar-Apr                  October   Nov-April

Catkins
Propagation and growth
Grown from seed. Scaly cup splits in Autumn to release 2 three sided nuts. Seed should be moist chilled for approx 12 weeks before sowing. Approx 3000 germinable seeds per Kg. Best established when sheltered by birch or hazel coppice. Frost tender. Increases in size to 120 years.
Timber
Pale brown hard wood but relatively easily worked. Whitest wood considered to be best grade.
Uses of Wood
Large trees for timber. Not suitable for outside use although used for piles immersed in water. Used for furniture and many other uses such as bowls, spoons, tools, plywood, and veneers. Valuable as sawn timber. Good for firewood and production of charcoal.
Food and Drink
The nut is known as mast and occurs in abundance every five to eight years. It is nutritious and rich in oil and attractive to birds and small mammals including deer and badger. The oil can be extracted and used for culinary purposes.
Related Species
Go to Next Page


Page 5.8/9/10/11 - Native Trees of the British Isles