Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) This month we focus on a tree that needs little introduction. Nearly everyone recognises the iconic leaves of this tree species, and a lot of people have fond memories of playing, foraging or climbing oak trees. If you’re not lucky enough to...
Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) This month we focus on one of our favourite native broadleaves. A species of tree that many of you will have appreciated as you go about your day-to-day activities as it is the third most common tree in the UK, but...
Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) As most of you will already know, this is one of the largest trees on the planet, with the oldest known sequoia being over 3,000 years old. The tree originates from the western side of America and mountain ranges of Sierra Nevada in...
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) This species was introduced to the UK in the 17th century and is native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia. Norway maple is commonly planted in urban areas, but can also be used in woodland and hedgerow planting mixes too. The Latin...
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) This tree originates from central United States and south-eastern Canada and was introduced to the UK in 1725. The name derives from the latin for ‘maple’ while saccharinum combines the Greek work sakkharon meaning ‘sugar’ and the Latin suffix ‘inum’ for ‘of...
Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) This non-native species is found in both Japan and China and was introduced to the UK in 1865. Katsura is the Japanese name for the tree and the genus name stems from the Greek word ‘Kerkis’ meaning Judas tree and ‘phyllon’ meaning a...
Cut-leaved Lime ‘Laciniata’ (Tilia platyphyllos ‘laciniata’) The focus of this month’s ‘What Tree?’ is a very specific cultivar of large-leaved lime. This is because this species was identified during a recent tree survey on behalf of one of our Client’s. Other than on this site, the only time that we have come across this particular tree is in...
Tulip (Liriodendron tulipifera) This non-native species was introduced to the UK from eastern USA by John Tradescant the Younger in the 17th century. Historically, American Indians utilised multiple parts of the tree; leaves for medicine, wood for canoes and pulpwood for paper. Today, the timber is...
Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa) Arguably blackthorn is not a tree, but rather a shrub or hedging plant, most commonly found as a key component of agricultural field boundary hedges. The vicious, hard, sharp thorns prevent livestock from pushing through hedges while providing excellent protection for nesting birds,...
Yew (Taxus bacatta) Arguably the most recognisable evergreen tree in the UK, the yew is commonly associated with churches and places of religious significance. The Fortingall Yew in Perthshire is considered to be the oldest tree in Britain, with its age estimated to be anywhere between...