Woodland Trees

Silver Birch (Betula pendula) Deciduous

The Silver Birch is prolific throughout many areas of the UK. It does not have a pure white trunk, but has black/brown streaks in the bark. This creates a camouflage effect and looks perfect in its natural woodland surroundings. As an individual tree it can grow 9/10 meters high. Silver Birch also looks natural if planted as a  group, just a few meters apart, this creates a very special environment (however some plantings as on motorways are far too close). When mature the branches droop and the delicate leaves rustle in the summer breeze. It's at home also in medium size gardens, parks and commercial development areas. Silver Birch grows well in all soil types but could require help in it's early years during drought periods.

Horse Chestnut

Lawson Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) Evergreen

This tree grows best planted a few meters apart from others and allowed to mature as an individual tree. It will grow to over 30 meters high. It can act as a very effective attractive screen and wind break. When mature it is a beautiful tree with a narrow conical crown with slightly dropping tips and branches. The birds love them in winter time for shelter. We grow them around our farm diversification areas. This tree does very well in most soils.

Indian Bean Tree

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) Deciduous

Rowan

Oak (Quercus robur) Deciduous

This must be the most well known tree in the country. It has been used in every type of construction before the industrial revolution. It has a lifespan of a 1000+years. It can grow to 30 meters tall with a massive crown. It will grow well in all soil types except for marshy or chalky soil. Clearly not suitable for a small garden.

Wych Elm

Wild Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) Deciduous

Wild Crab

Young Wild Crab Apple trees can be seen in many garden centres and new plantings in every region. It is more difficult to find older trees in hedge rows in the countryside, due to regular hedge trimming. I don't know of any along our own hedges. The fruit can be of several different colours deep red to usually pitted green. The tree at maturity is around 3 meters tall. There can be thorns on the twigs which is a good indicator for identification purposes.

Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) Deciduous

Sweet Chestnut

This tree is seen in most Woodlands everywhere. In our wood they appear to be on the edge of the plantation. The leaves are very large and in my opinion easily identified. The nut produced in the autumn is for nut lovers very special, it can be eaten raw or roasted. The tree grows well in a group, in hedgerows or individually in a large paddock. They can live for many hundreds of years.
It will grow in most dry soil types.

Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) Deciduous

Downy Birch

This tree is found growing in many environments where other species cannot cope. It is very popular along motorway embankments, around industrial estates, street planting, and also medium sized gardens. It grows into a lovely tree If given the space, around 8/9 meters high, the branches eventually droop showing off very delicate leaves. It is relatively fast growing and creates a good natural wind break. Downy Birch grows well in all soil conditions but may need watering in it's first years if drought conditions persist.

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) Evergreen

Scots Pine

Wild Pear (Pyrus communis) Deciduous

Wild Pear

I have no recollection of seeing a mature Wild Pear tree. I understand that they do grow well in good light soil and that they have a domed crown with weeping branches. I think it must be similar to the ornamental Pear (Pyrus salicifolia), of which I know well. This tree has weeping branches with willow like leaves. It can grow to about 7 meters high.

Field Maple (Acer campestre) Deciduous

Field Maple

I have no recollection of seeing a mature Wild Pear tree. I understand that they do grow well in good light soil and that they have a domed crown with weeping branches. I think it must be similar to the ornamental Pear (Pyrus salicifolia), of which I know well. This tree has weeping branches with willow like leaves. It can grow to about 7 meters high.

Silver Birch (Betula pendula) Deciduous

Silver Birch

The Silver Birch is prolific throughout many areas of the UK. It does not have a pure white trunk, but has black/brown streaks in the bark. This creates a camouflage effect and looks perfect in its natural woodland surroundings. As an individual tree it can grow 9/10 meters high. Silver Birch also looks natural if planted as a  group, just a few meters apart, this creates a very special environment (however some plantings as on motorways are far too close). When mature the branches droop and the delicate leaves rustle in the summer breeze. It's at home also in medium size gardens, parks and commercial development areas. Silver Birch grows well in all soil types but could require help in it's early years during drought periods.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) Deciduous

Horse Chestnut

This tree is magnificent,  planted on its own, in a hedgerow, or as an avenue. The conkers were collected by small children for generations. The blossom flowers stand out well in the Spring , on a large tree they are a stunning site. Unfortunately for some reason most trees are suffering from leaf miner in late summer which causes early leaf drop.  Good deep soil is ideal for this tree.

Common Walnut (Juglans regia) Deciduous

Common Walnut

A wonderful tree, it can produce a much sought after nut  crop, and timber, in the right hands it is one of the finest wood furniture species in the world. A mature tree is a magnificent site, as an individual tree it can reach 20 meters high with a large wide crown. It does need plenty of room to develop. It will do well in most soils and can be introduced into existing hedge rows. 

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Deciduous

Sycamore

This tree appears everywhere, usually where it isn't welcome! Some people call it a weed, but we shouldn't knock it. In my mind with so many  problems with many tree species today the Sycamore is one species that seems to be problem free and could fill gaps left by diseases such as Ash die back. Apparently it can live as long as 400 years and reach as high as 15 meters, as an individual tree it is very imposing and makes excellent shelter for sheep and cattle from sun and rain. I have never seen a Sycamore which has been struck by lightning, so safer than some in a storm. It grows well in groups as trees, but hopeless planted as a hedge  to hold animals back . It will do well in any reasonable soil.

Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) Deciduous

Guelder Rose

Beautiful leaf colour throughout the Spring, Summer and Autumn. The blossom turns to vivid red berries providing excellent bird feed into late Winter. The shrub can be used to enhance any hedge or can be planted as an individual in any sized garden. Regular pruning can keep growth in check.

Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa) Deciduous

Common Alder

This tree appears around many ponds and water courses. It is easily spread by nature and will completely cut off access to the water in a matter of a few years. It is used on many reclaimed landfill and mining sites. In agriculture it makes an excellent fast growing shelter used in fruit growing. If carefully maintained it can  reach heights of 35 meters. In natural growing conditions Alder grows to about 20 meters high. Alder would make a good screen in a moderate size garden, the catkins and leaves have an attractive purple shine . Alder loves damp conditions but will be happy in most soil.

Lawson Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) Evergreen

Lawson Cypress

This tree grows best planted a few meters apart from others and allowed to mature as an individual tree. It will grow to over 30 meters high. It can act as a very effective attractive screen and wind break. When mature it is a beautiful tree with a narrow conical crown with slightly dropping tips and branches. The birds love them in winter time for shelter. We grow them around our farm diversification areas. This tree does very well in most soils.

Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides) Deciduous

Indian Bean Tree

This is a medium sized garden tree. It grows quite quickly and can reach 7 meters high. It has beautiful large leaves and after several years will produce attractive flowers in the summer. It prefers medium to light soil to grow in.

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) Deciduous

Norway Maple

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) Deciduous

Rowan

A brilliant species in my opinion. It works everywhere in gardens, woods, hedgerows, streets, parkland. It has something to show for itself right through the growing season. In the spring it has beautiful blossom and through the summer it produces an amazing array of berries every shade of red and orange possible. The one problem is that the birds love the berries and when they ripen they are soon gone. However the leaves continually change colour throughout the Autumn. A very good value tree, I understand the berries can be made into jellies (please check formally before eating!) Will grow in any reasonable soil.

Oak (Quercus robur) Deciduous

Oak

This must be the most well known tree in the country. It has been used in every type of construction before the industrial revolution. It has a lifespan of a 1000+years. It can grow to 30 meters tall with a massive crown. It will grow well in all soil types except for marshy or chalky soil. Clearly not suitable for a small garden.

Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra) Deciduous

Wych Elm

I have no knowledge of this tree on our farm, I do remember how devastating 'Dutch' Elm disease was to the Elm trees in our hedge rows, the Elms were magnificent one moment and gone the next. I understand the Wych Elm is a common woodland tree in the west and north and can reach around 20 meters high or more. It usually matures with a short single trunk that forks into several strong limbs. Should grow well in any soil.