Gardening and Nature

Native British Trees and Shrubs: A Guide to Identification

Introduction

The United Kingdom is home to a diverse range of native trees and shrubs, each with its own unique characteristics and ecological importance. This guide will provide you with the information you need to identify these plants and appreciate their beauty.

Identifying Native British Trees

Leaves: The shape, size, and color of leaves can help you identify trees. Deciduous trees have leaves that change color and fall off in the autumn, while evergreen trees retain their leaves throughout the year.

Flowers: Many trees produce flowers in the spring or summer. The color, shape, and arrangement of flowers can be useful for identification.

Fruits: Trees produce a variety of fruits, including nuts, berries, and cones. The type of fruit can help you identify the tree.

Bark: The texture, color, and pattern of bark can also be used to identify trees. Some trees have smooth bark, while others have rough or fissured bark.

Other Features: In addition to leaves, flowers, fruits, and bark, other features such as buds, twigs, and overall shape can also help you identify trees.

Types of Native British Trees

• Ash: Ash trees have opposite leaves with serrated edges. They produce winged seeds called “keys.”
• Aspen: Aspen trees have trembling leaves and white bark with black diamond-shaped markings.
• Beech: Beech trees have smooth, gray bark and oval leaves with wavy edges. They produce nuts encased in woody cups.
• Birch: Birch trees have white or silvery bark and triangular-shaped leaves.
• Cherry: There are two native cherry tree species in the UK: wild cherry and bird cherry. Wild cherry trees have oval leaves with forward-pointing teeth, while bird cherry trees have oval leaves with serrated edges.
• Conifers: Conifers are evergreen trees that produce cones. Native British conifers include yew, juniper, and Scots pine.
• Crab apple: Crab apple trees are small trees with beautiful white or pink flowers and small fruits.
• Elm: Elm trees have rough, toothed leaves with pointed ends. They produce winged seeds.
• Field maple: Field maple trees have opposite leaves with five lobes. They produce winged fruits called samaras.
• Hawthorn: Hawthorn trees have small, lobed leaves and thorny branches. They produce red berries called “haws.”
• Hazel: Hazel trees have rounded leaves and produce hazelnuts.
• Holly: Holly trees are evergreen trees with prickly leaves and red berries.
• Hornbeam: Hornbeam trees have leaves that resemble beech leaves, but they have smaller, more pointed leaves with deeper pleats along the veins.
• Lime: There are three native lime tree species in the UK: small-leaved lime, large-leaved lime, and common lime. They have heart-shaped leaves and produce fragrant flowers.
• Oak: There are two native oak tree species in the UK: English oak and sessile oak. English oak trees have lobed leaves with barely any leaf stalk, while sessile oak trees have leaves with longer stalks.
• Pussy willow: Pussy willow trees are small trees with furry male catkins that give them their common name.
• Rowan: Rowan trees have alternative pinnate leaves with teeth on the upper edges of each leaflet. They produce red berries in the autumn.
• Silver birch: Silver birch trees have silvery-white bark and drooping branch tips.
• Whitebeam: Whitebeam trees have alternate, oval toothed leaves and conspicuous red fruits in the autumn.
• Yew: Yew trees have short, dark, glossy green needle-like leaves and red berry-like fruits.

Native British Shrubs

• Blackthorn: Blackthorn is a shrub with dark green, oval-shaped leaves and white flowers. It produces sloes, which are small, dark purple-black fruits.
• Buckthorn: Buckthorn is a shrub with thorny branches and oval, finely-toothed leaves. It produces black berry-like fruits.
• Dogwood: Dogwood is a shrub with vibrant red stems and creamy-white flowers. It produces black berry-like fruits.
• Elder: Elder is a shrub with white flowers and purple berry-like fruits.
• Guelder rose: Guelder rose is a shrub with broad, three-lobed leaves and flat heads of creamy-white flowers. It produces red berry-like fruits.
• Spindle: Spindle is a shrub with green stems and green, opposite, toothed leaves. It produces small, greenish-cream flowers and vivid pink fruits.
• Wayfaring tree: Wayfaring tree is a shrub with oval, finely-toothed leaves and flat white flowerheads. It produces red berry-like fruits that turn black as they mature.
• Wild privet: Wild privet is a semi-evergreen shrub with small, dark green leaves and clusters of white flowers. It produces black berries.

Conclusion

The native trees and shrubs of the UK provide a wealth of beauty and ecological value. By learning to identify these plants, you can appreciate their unique characteristics and contribute to their conservation.