Trees

IDENTIFYING TREES IN WINTER


ASH

The common ash is the third most common tree in the UK, an ash tree can live for 400 years and can reach a height of 35m. In late January sooty buds appear, one at the end of the characteristically upturned twigs and then in pairs further down. They also have small green and purple clustered flowers at this time.

ash bud and flower

BEECH

The Beech tree is one of the biggest woodland trees in the UK. The torpedo shaped buds appear in February and grow out from the twigs at an angle

beech bud

ALDER

The Alder is a smallish tree and is commonly found near rivers and streams. Alder is monoecious which means the same tree will produce both male and female flowers

PLANE

The London Plane is very commonly found in towns and cities as it deals well with pollution. It can grow to 35m tall and has a distinctive ‘camouflage’ pattern bark