Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmannian) Of course, with Christmas fast approaching like the Polar Express Train, we thought this month’s What Tree should be a traditional Christmas Tree, the Nordmann Fir Tree (Abies nordmannian). This tree holds the secret that gardeners, groundsmen and Christmas tree shoppers look for....
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) The Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) and Christmas go hand in hand with the nuts being a seasonal favourite, and is the species that has been awarded the 2023 Tree of the Year. This deciduous tree can live for a very long time -...
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...
Common Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) This month we focus on a common tree that is steeped in folklore and mythology and is commonly associated with Christmas – hence it being this month ‘What Tree?’. This evergreen species is native to the UK, Europe, North Africa and western Asia....
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...
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) This month we are revisiting a tree that was featured as the very first ‘What Tree?’ when Tree Frontiers was founded in 2010. It’s great to revisit this species as the hornbeam is a particular favourite of both Nick and Steve’s and is...