Native Trees of the British Isles

Photo and Photomicrograph collections


     Latin Name				   Common Name


  1. Acer campestre			Field Maple
  2. Alnus glutinosa			Alder 
  3. Arbutus unedo				Strawberry Tree
  4. Betula pendula			Silver Birch
  5. Betula pubescens			Downy Birch
  6. Buxus sempervirens			Box
  7. Carpinus betula			Hornbeam
  8.  Corylus avellana			Hazel
  9. Crataegus laevigata 			Midland Thorn
  10. Crataegus monogyna			 Hawthorn
  11.  Fagus sylvatica			 Beech
  12. Fraxinus excelsior			 Ash
  13. Ilex aquifolium  			 Holly
  14. Juniperus communis			 Juniper
  15.  Malus sylvestris			 Crab Apple
  16. Pinus sylvestris			 Scots Pine
  17. Populus nigra 			 Black Poplar
  18. Populus tremula			 Aspen
  19. Prunus avium				 Wild Cherry
  20. Prunus padus				 Bird Cherry
  21. Quercus petraea			 Sessile Oak
  22. Quercus robur			 Common Oak
  23.  Salix alba				 White Willow
  24. Salix caprea				 Goat Willow
  25. Salix fragilis			 Crack Willow
  26. Salix pentandra			 Bay Willow
  27. Sorbus aria				 Whitebeam
  28. Sorbus aucuparia			 Rowan
  29. Sorbus torminalis			 Wild Service Tree
  30.  Taxus baccata			 Yew
  31. Tilia cordata			 Small Leaved Lime
  32. Tilia platyphyllos			 Large Leaved Lime
  33. Ulmus glabra				 Wych Elm

Acer campestre

Field Maple

Common Maple

Family Aceraceae

Description

Small tree with small yellow green flowers. Grows well first 20-25 years to 10-15m, mature at 50 years. Coppices strongly and suitable for hedges standing clipping. Leaves yellow in autumn but also red or golden brown.

Height max 25m Age 50 - 100 years

Habitat

Typically edges of woods and in hedgerows. Prefers heavy soils calcerous at depth but not lime free (ph 5.5 to 7.7). Frequently associated with ash, hazel and oak. Supports epiphytic lichens and bryophytes and wide range of insects.

Natural Distribution

Native to Cumbria and Durham and south from there but not Scotland or Ireland. Found throughout mainland Europe except Greece, Norway and Sweden, and Northern Russia and west through Asia Minor to the Caspian sea.

The Tree Year

Flowers            Leaves             Fruit             Ripen               Fall

May                April-May         June-July          October            November
Propagation and growth
Grown from seed. Deeply dormant. Treat seed for approx 34 weeks - from collection to planting following spring. Mix with peat and sand, keep moist and allow to fluctuate outside naturally outside as would naturally occur but protect from predators. Natural germination typically takes 18 months. Produces viable seed most years. Approx 9000 seed per Kg.

Timber
Pale brown wood, soft and fine grained.
Uses of Wood
Rarely produces timber sized trees and hence used for turnery, marketry, and craft work (used in middle ages for musical instruments). Satisfactory for firewood.

Food and Drink
-

Related Species
The sycamore is a native of Central Europe and widely distributed in the British Isles. Believed introduce pre 600. Distinguished by red stems of leaves and angled pair of helicopter seeds rather than in line. Norway Maples (Acer platanoides) is another common introduced species.

Alnus glutinosa

Alder

Common Alder

Black Alder

Family Betulacae
Description
Rapidly growing tree (0.5m pa for first 30 - 40 years) mature at about 60 years with long trunk and narrow crown. Distinctive outline in winter. Requires plenty of light and can be used as pioneer species.

Height 20m or more Age up to 150 years

Habitat
Very tolerant of water logged conditions whilst dormant. Typical streamside tree and as a specific habitat - Alder Carr - in Lake District and Norfolk Broads. All soil types except poor acid peats. Fixes nitrogen via root nodules and will grow on relatively infertile soils and hence used for site reclamation.
Natural Distribution
Natural throughout British Isles and most of Europe.
The Tree Year 

Flowers               Leaves              Fruit           Ripen    Leaves fall

Feb-Mar               Apr                 Oct-Dec         Dec       Nov
Propagation and growth
Grown from seed. The seed does not undergo dormancy by germination rate increased if given a period of moist chilling at 0.5C for up to 10 weeks. The seeds float and are carried by streams naturally germinating in mud. Seeds are red brown flakes - 250,000 seeds per Kg. Often rapid growth in first year but best kept in nursery and planted out in second year. Can be beneficially grown with oak on damp sites and ash.
Timber
The wood is light reddish brown and porous with course texture.
Uses of Wood
General purpose hardwood and pulpwood. Particularly suitable for turning, formerly used to make clogs. Burns quickly when used for firewood but suitable for charcoal (used to be used for charcoal for gunpowder). Hardens when immersed in water and suitable for making piles.
Food and Drink
The bark and leaves contain tannin and have astringent properties. Used in folk medicine to treat chills.
Related Species
There are many species of alder throughout the world but two are quite commonly found as introductions - Grey Alder(A. incana) and Italian Alder (A. cordata). A. incana has been used for reclamation projects although subject to die back

Arbutus unedo
Strawberry tree

Irish Caithne or Suglair

Family Ericaceae
Description
Shrubby tree with laurel like evergreen leaves and warty red berry that looks like a strawberry.

Height 12m max age - not known

Habitat
In immature oak woods and developing woodland, rocky place.
Natural Distribution
Native to South West Ireland especially near Killarney and in Mediterranean, believed to be relic from before last ice age.

The Tree Year 


Flowers       Leaves         Fruit           Ripen           Fall

                                             Sep - Oct       Oct (of following year)
Propagation and growth
Grown from seed. Growth is slow at first and plants are tender.
Timber
Pink fine grained and very hard.
Uses of Wood
None recorded.
Food and Drink
The strawberry like berries are edible but with unpleasant flavour although birds like them and spread the seeds.
Related Species
Arbutus andrachne (Cyprus Strawberry Tree) and Arbutus menziescii (Pacific Madrone) have a similar appearance and fruit and have been planted as park trees and shrubs.

Page 5.0 - Native Trees of the British Isles