The alder can grow into quite a big tree |
It has catkins that are larger than hazel |
The flowers have a purple tinge |
Although a deciduous tree it has seed heads like fir cones |
The leaves are broad, ribbed and serated |
The leaves are narrow and pointed |
The key-like seeds have a single 'wing' |
The ash is a tall, elegant tree |
The bark is fairly smooth and ash coloured |
the bark develops wrinkles with age! |
The inside does not really show aging circles |
In winter the twigs bear large black opposite buds |
The bunches of keys can stay on the tree for much of the winter |
Flower |
A big, strong tree |
Newly developing nuts |
Bark much smoother than the oak |
Fallen nuts are known as beech mast |
Leaves can often stay on the tree all winter |
The leaf buds are very pronounced |
Profile - Summer, Profile - Winter
A rather chaotic pine tree |
Black poplar produces these attractive purple catkins |
The branches have multiple twigs at the ends |
The bark has vertical ridges |
This is a big, tall and bold tree |
The flowers emerge before the leaves |
The flowers emerge early before the leaves |
The fruit are known as sloes |
The bare twigs clearly show the sharp thorns |
The shrub is a rather tangled mess! |
Profile - Summer, Profile - Winter
Tall upright trees grown for their timber |
It has needles rather than leaves |
The bark is ridged |
Lovely white flower often with a tinge of pink |
It is the outside, or sepals, that give the pink look |
In winter the bare tree has a greenish tinge |
The tree has masses of thin branches |
The bark is rough and attractive to lichens |
The twigs are very brittle which is where it gets its name |
The wood is very light in colour |
the flower buds are silvery and furry |
The buds are alternate along the twig |
A low growing creeping shrub |
The cream flower is much like other species of the same family |
So the flowers need to be taken in context with the leaves |
The red stems are often the best gtuide |
The red stems are most noticeable in winter |
The flowers are formed of clusters of smalller flowers |