| A series of picture cards is offered in the interest of education and nature conservation by Brooke Bond | PG Tips | Trees In Britain


	01 LARCH Larix decidua PINACEAE A native chiefly of the mountains of Central Europe - the Larch was introduced into Britain as a timber tree or ornamental and as such is now widespread. It is frequently self sown and naturalised. A graceful tree reaching 100 to 140 feet in height - with spreading or upwardly curving branches - it grows best on moist but well drained soils. Although less planted of late - it remains the most valuable softwood grown in this country - being used for railway sleepers - pit props - fencing and similar purposes. Most of the houses of Venice are said to be supported on larch piles.
	02 LARCH Larix decidua PINACEAE The needles of the Larch are usually about one to one and a half inches long - and brighter green than those of the evergreen conifers for the Larch is our only commonly grown deciduous tree of this type. It produces two kinds of shoots - long shoots with evenly spaced needles and short shoots with the needles in tufts. The heads of female flowers (+) are red - oval and larger than the male (^). The cones (A) are small - mostly egg shaped and an inch and a half long they ripen seed (C) in the first year (B) but may persist on the twigs (0) for several seasons.
	03 SCOTS PINE Pinus sylvestris PINACEAE Our only native pine - the Scots Pine occurs wild at the present time only in the Highlands of Scotland - but it was formerly more widespread. It is frequently planted - especially on lighter sandy soils in the S. E. of England and in East Anglia. Usually about 100 feet in height - when young the crown is pyramidal - but with age the branches become crowded at the top and the crown flattened. The Scots Pine provides a very valuable softwood timber - which was imported into this country from Scandinavia at least as early as the 9th century.
	04 SCOTS PINE Pinus sylvestris In common with all pines - the Scots Pine is an evergreen. The familiar grey green needles are about two to three inches in length they are distinctly twisted - and grow in pairs on short shoots from the twigs - falling complete with the short shoot after 3 or more seasons. Male flowers (^) develop in groups at the base of a young growing shoot - . and are yellowish. The cones (A) - which are hard and up to 3 inches in length - are shortly stalked - and the scales (B) spread widely after the seeds are shed the seeds (C) have large chaffy wings.
	05 STONE PINE Pinus pinea PINACEAE An attractive tree from its manner of growth - the Stone Pine is a rather squat tree from 40 to 100 feet in height. If growing in the open and not forced up by other trees it has a short trunk and a broad - spreading canopy of branches often wider than its own height. It is a native of the Mediterranean region from Portugal to Turkey and is not commonly grown in Britain - but there is a very fine specimen not far from the main gate of Kew Gardens (as illustrated). The trunk is very deeply fissured between the flattened - layered - greyish brown segments of bark.
	06 STONE PINE Pinus pinea PINACEAE The buds of the Stone Pine are very distinctive - the curled scales of each bud being furnished with long silvery hairs along the margins these are interwoven so that the scales are matted together. The needles - like those of the Scots Pine - are in pairs - but are larger - being 3 to 5 inches in length the cones (A young - B mature) are also larger. When ripe - the seeds (C) are bean shaped and edible - and appear to have been used as food for the Roman armies of occupation in Great Britain.
	07 JUNIPER Juniperus communis CUPRESSACEAE Occurring principally on chalk and limestone in southern England - but frequently on moors and heaths in the north and in Scotland and Ireland - the Juniper often forms a dense scrub on broken hill slopes. It very rarely becomes a tree as shown here - but is usually seen as a shrub about 6 to 10 feet in height. On the higher mountains - however - it takes up a mat form - completely flattened on the ground - and with much less prickly leaves.
	08 JUNIPER Juniperus communis CUPRESSACEAE The leaves of the Juniper are narrow and rigid with a sharply pointed tip - are up to! inch in length - and grow in groups of 3 - spreading round the twigs. The fruit is fleshy - a false berry formed by female (+) scales corresponding to those forming the cone of the Scots Pine in the Juniper - however - the scales become succulent and fuse together. The (A) 'berries' were formerly used medicinally and as an additive to gin. They are (B) black with a bluish bloom - and about the size of a currant.
	09 YEW Taxus baccata TAXACEAE The Yew is most frequently met with in woods or thickets on limestone or chalk usually as scattered individuals or in small groups among other trees. It normally attains about 30 to 40 feet - with a very heavy rounded crown and a massive stocky trunk often compounded of numerous risers which may be as much as 15 feet in diameter. There are many very ancient yews in Britain - but age determination is difficult as the original trunk often rots away. It was sacred to the Druids - and from the Yew (imported from the Continent since British wood was inferior) most archery bows were made.
	10 YEW Taxus baccata TAXACEAE The branches of the Yew are densely leafy - and the poisonous leaves - although inserted all round the twigs - are twisted below so that they spread out in two rows to form 0! flat surface they are dark glossy green above with the margins recurved - and paler beneath. The male and female flowers are always on separate trees. The male flower (^) is a small round cluster of stamens - and the female (+) develops into a red berry like fruit - also poisonous with a cup like central excavation. The Yew is a favourite for topiary as it stands clipping well.
	11 COMMON LIME Tilia X europaea TlLIAOEAE A familiar tree in streets - parks and avenues - the Common Lime is a tall species which may be over 100 feet high - with a wide - rounded crown. The trunk is almost smooth - but is often disfigured by .larvae and unsightly warty projections developed upon it. It is not wild - but is generally believed to be a hybrid between our two rather uncommon native limes - T. cordata and T. platyphyllos. It produces a white - soft timber which is particularly excellent for carving and turning since It does not turn the knife blade to the direction of the grain.
	12 COMMON LIME Tilia X europaea TILIACEAE The blossom of the Lime is very distinctive - consisting of a long tongue shaped yellowish wing or bracteole - from the central vein of which arises a stalk bearing several small yellowish white flowers. These finally develop into almost spherical short hairy capsules often with 5 rather distinct ridges. The leaf of the Lime is roundish in outline with an abrupt point and is usually heart shaped at the base' as with the Sycamore - greenfly are much attracted by the Lime - and its leaves are frequently sticky or dripping with 'honeydew'.
	13 SYCAMORE Acer pseudoplatanus ACERACEAE A species of maple - the Sycamore is not considered to be a native of the British Isles - but to have been introduced from Central Europe. Both on the Continent and fu this country - however - it is absolutely naturalised and spreads rapidly where unchecked. It grows to about 100 feet in height and has a dense spreading crown. The bark is smooth and greyish - but tends to crack and then lift at the margins of the cracks so that large slab like portions fall away. The wood is pale whitish yellow with a close grain and is chiefly used for veneers.
	14 SYCAMORE Acer pseudoplatanus ACERACEAE The fruit or 'key' of the sycamore - curved with two seed chambers joined at the centre and two flat spreading wings - is well known to children. The seedlings which these 'keys' produce in abundance are equally familiar but scarcely equally welcome to all gardeners working near sycamore trees. Before the fruits develop the flowers may be seen - hanging In cylindrical clusters at the ends of short leafy twigs they .are small and greenish yellow in colour. The leaves are often sticky with honeydew - the upper side being much darker than the underside.
	15 HORSE CHESTNUT Aescuus hippocastanum HIPPOCASTANACEAE It is one of the many mysteries of plant distribution. that a tree which is so easily grown and often self sown throughout Europe - temperate Asia and N. America should be restricted as a wild species to a small area in the Balkans. The Horse Chestnut is a stately tree with a large - round - densely leafy crown up to 100 feet in height - and with the spread of branches almost as great. It was introduced into Britain as an ornamental in the 17th century . The wood is little used - being soft and perishable.
	16 HORSE CHESTNUT Aesculus hippocastanum HIPPOCASTANACEAE The most familiar part of the Horse Chestnut is the spiny seed case - splitting open along three 'seams' to reveal the one or two seeds - 'conkers' (conquerors) within. The glory of the tree as an ornamental - however - is in the erect cylindrical 'candles' of pink or white flowers - each almost an inch across and very attractive to the bumble bees which pollinate them. The leaves are formed of 5 7 leaflets all tapering to their common point of insertion on the stalks the sticky leaf buds 'are used as winter decoration.
	17 HOLLY Ilex aquifolium AQUIFOLIACEAE Found as a native tree throughout most of Britain - large Holly trees usually occur as solitary scattered individuals often the Holly is found as a shrub - under the upper tree canopy in woodland. It grows on almost any soil - up to about 50 feet in height. The trunk is slender - the bark dark grey and smooth or cracking slightly in old trees. The wood is very close grained and fine in texture - giving a hard surface which takes a high polish.
	18 HOLLY Ilex aquifolium AQUIFOLIACEAE The flowers of the Holly occur in short clusters in the axils of leaves which are not of the current year's growth. They are white and waxy in texture male (^) and female (+) flowers are normally borne on separate trees. The red berries which the tree produces are too well known to need description. The leaves of young holly trees and the lower leaves of older trees are strongly wavy margined and very spiny the upper leaves of taller trees are less spiny and often almost flat.
	19 SPINDLE trEE Euonymus europaeus CELAStrACEAE Occurring mainly in the south of England - but scattered through the remainder of the British Isles except northern Scotland - the Spindle is usually found as a shrub in bushy corners of woods - thickets and hedges - where it is often inconspicuous except when in fruit. Rarely it grows to tree size - up to about 25 feet in height with a slender - grey - smooth trunk and a spreading - rounded crown. It prefers soils containing lime - and is usually found only in small numbers in anyone locality. It is the only British representative of its family.
	20 SPINDLE trEE Euonymus europaeus CELAStrACEAE The most conspicuous feature of the Spindle Tree is undoubtedly the fruit - which is unlike that of any other British plant. The tree is most beautiful in autumn when laden with this unusual fruit. The bright pink - 4 lobed capsules are about half an inch long and hang in clusters on short leafy shoots. The flowers are small - greenish white and inconspicuous - with 4 petals. The leaves taper to a sharp point - and are toothed all the way round the margin.
	21 GEAN - WILD CHERRY Prunus avium ROSACEAE This elegant tree is frequent throughout most of Britain except for northern Scotland - growing especially on the better - well drained soils. It prefers open woods - hedges and scrub - and attains 75 feet or more in height. The bark is reddish brown - smooth and somewhat shining - and has a tendency to peel in papery strips. The Gean is certainly the ancestor of out cultivated cherries - either by direct descent or by hybridisation with the Sour Cherry (P. cerasus) - which also occurs wild in Britain but is rarer. The wood is used for furniture making .
	22 GEAN - WILD CHERRY Prunus avium ROSACEAE In April and May the Gean - when growing in the open - is a glorious mass of white blossoms - each about an inch across - hanging in clusters which are effectively set off by the light green of the folded - developing young leaves. Cherries are formed in July and are bright or darker red in colour - with a taste varying from quite sweet to acid. The leaves when fully developed are dull green above and paler beneath - finely pointed at the tip - and have the margins regularly and neatly toothed all the way round.
	23 HAWthORN - MAY Crataegus monogyna ROSACEAE Very common on all types of soil throughout Great Britain with the exception of northern Scotland - the Hawthorn is most familiar as the agricultural hedging for the partition of fields - retention of stock etc. - for which its formidable armament of spines and ease of layering to form a dense barrier makes it very suitable. It is also the most frequent form of hill scrub. Where growing in the open - however - it will form a neat small tree up to 30 feet in height. The smooth grain of the very hard wood makes it very suitable for engraving work.
	24 HAWthORN - MAY Crataegus monogyna ROSACEAE The Hawthorn begins to flower in May and continues into June at this season the country air is often heavy with the sweet - cloying odour of the blossom - attractive to an extraordinarily numerous and diverse insect population. The Glastonbury Thorn - of legendary fame - is a variety (praecox) of this species which flowers and produces young leaves in winter (or - in very severe winters - in early spring) as well as flowering at the normal season The fruit (haws) of the Hawthorn are a staple diet of birds in winter.
	25 ROWAN - MOUNTAIN ASH Sorbus aucuparia ROSACEAE The Rowan is widespread as a native tree in the British Isles - but found especially in the west and north it is so attractive that it is also grown very widely in parks - along roadsides and in gardens. In the wild state its characteristic habitat is on heathy scrub land or on mountain rocks - where it may cling to a rock face with its roots penetrating deeply into a convenient crevice. The trunk is greyish and smooth and the crown narrow and sometimes rather scanty. The Rowan may grow to a height of 50 feet or more.
	26 ROWAN - MOUNTAIN ASH Sorbus aucuparia ROSACEAE As a decorative tree the Rowan - in common with several of its near relatives - has the great advantages of being attractive at all stages of its growth. The graceful leaves are usually divided into 6 7 pairs of narrowly oblong - regularly and sharply toothed leaflets - and dense clusters of white flowers with warm - creamy anthers are produced in May and June. In September - the bright scarlet - round fruits are conspicuous and beautiful - and the orange to scarlet autumn tinting of the leaves is also spectacular .
	27 CRAB APPLE Malus sylvestris ROSACEAE This - the ancestor of our cultivated apples - is found in woodland and hedges throughout most of the British Isles. It grows as a small tree of up to 35 feet in height with a rounded crown - and not uncommonly also as a hedge shrub. The bark is similar to that of the cultivated apple - cracking irregularly and falling off in flakes. The wood has a close grain and is hard it needs careful seasoning - but has been employed in turning and also in the manufacture of heads for golf clubs.
	28 CRAB APPLE Malus sylvestris ROSACEAE The truly wild Crab Apple has the leaves and flower stalks and sepals hairless a form with leaves hairy beneath and the flower stalks etc. - woolly occurs - but is apparently always an offspring of cultivated trees. In most features the Crab Apple is very like the cultivated apples - but the fruit - produced in August and September - is extremely sour and unpalatable. In many country districts - however - a pleasant jelly is made from 'crabs'.
	29 LONDON PLANE Platanus X hybrida PLATANACEAE Of all the trees which have been planted in an effort to beautify our larger and smokier cities - none has been as successful as the London Plane. Its large rounded crown and straight smooth trunk - with the bark peeling off in copious flakes - is a familiar sight in most urban areas. The London Plane is believed to be of hybrid origin - produced by the crossing of the American Buttonwood (P. occidentalis) - which does not succeed in this country - and the Oriental Plane (P. orientalis) of the Balkans and W. Asia - which can be grown here. It may attain 120 feet in height.
	30 LONDON PLANE Platanus X hybrida PLAT ANACEAE The leaves of the London Plane are not unlike some of the maple90in shape (P. occidentalis - one of its parents - is also known as Sycamore in America) - but they are thicker in texture than our Sycamore and are less coarsely and irregularly toothed - with broadly triangular lobes. Male (^) and female (+) flowers are separate but on the same tree. In the autumn at leaf fall the most conspicuous feature of the tree is the globular fruits (A) - 2 to 6 being disposed along a pendulous stalk. The fruits disintegrate to liberate a large number of seeds (B) - each provided with a 'parachute' of hairs.
	31 ENGLISH ELM Ulmus pracera ULMACEAE Probably native only in England - where it is common and characteristic except in the north - the English Elm has been planted also in Wales and Ireland - but less so in Scotland. It grows to a height of about 100 feet in hedges and along roadsides - and when isolated its tall outline - irregularly lobed especially between the heavy lower and spreading upper branches - makes it easily recognisable. Sucker shoots are abundant and the bark is hard and deeply fissured. Good elm timber is in demand for furniture - coffins - etc.
	32 ENGLISH ELM Ulmus pracera ULMACEAE The leaves of the Elm are easily distinguished from those of British trees by their very unequal base - the one leaf margin being rounded and meeting the midrib at a considerably lower point than the other - which is more or less straight they are frequently rough to the touch. The flowers (A) - however - are very undistinguished - appearing in April and May before the leaves they grow in rounded clusters - and the anthers are their most conspicuous feature. The fruit (B) - produced in May and June - consists of central seed chambers (C) winged on each side.
	33 SILVER BIRCH Betula pendula BETULACEAE The most graceful of all our native trees - the Silver Birch is also probably the best known - the smooth - silvery white bark alone being sufficient to identify it though in the lower part of the trunk this colour is marred by black cracks and warts it grows to about 80 feet. The outline of the tree crown is rather narrow - the twigs pendulous. Occurring particularly on acid soils - it is seen at its best in the Highlands - where it often predominates. Much plywood is made from birch timber .
	34 SILVER BIRCH Betula pendula BETULACEAE The twigs of the birch are smooth and shining brown - bearing triangular - pointed leaves with slender stalks - so that they are easily set in motion by the wind. The leaves are irregularly toothed around the margin. Male (^) and female (+) catkins are produced on the same branch - the male being long and pendulous and showing yellow anthers the female are less conspicuous - being at first shorter and erect - but when mature also pendulous (A) and producing winged seeds (B).
	35 HORNBEAM Carpjnus betulus CORYLACEAE Less well known than many of our native trees - the Hornbeam occurs wild principally in the Home Counties and E. Anglia - but as a planted tree it may be found throughout most of Great Britain. In cultivation the Hornbeam is a handsome tree 50 feet or more in height - with an attractively fluted trunk and a densely leafy crown. In the wild - however - it is most often seen coppiced and shrubby - like its close relative the Hazel. The timber is tough and strong and used - among other things - for piano parts and policemen's truncheons.
	36 HORNBEAM Carpinus betulus CORYLACEAE Of our other native trees the leaves of the Hornbeam most closely reassemble those of the Elm - but are narrower in outline and less unequal at the base. The male (^) and female (+) catkins are found in different groups but on the same tree. When in fruit (A) - the Hornbeam is unmistakable - as above the small seed chamber at the base are produced two (B) 3 lobed leaf like bracts which press closely against each other feature found in no other British tree.
	37 HAZEL Corylus avellana CORYLACEAE One of our most familiar trees - the Hazel is almost invariably seen as a coppiced shrub forming dense thickets beneath the upper canopy of larger trees in open woods of Oak and other deciduous species. It rarely attains a height of more than 15 feet - and spreads chiefly by abundant sucker shoots. Only rarely is it seen as a small tree with a smooth - thinly peeling bark. The branches of the Hazel are supple and may be used for weaving - like osiers. A Hazel twig is the usual instrument of the water diviner .
	38 HAZEL Coryus avellana CORYLACEAE The sight of the long - pendulous male (^) catkins of the Hazel - up to 2 inches long with bright yellow anthers - is one of the first signs of spring - produced as they are from February to April - or even earlier in mild winters. The female (+) catkins - borne separately but on the same tree - are small and bud like - with bright red styles and give rise at length to the well. known clusters of Hazel or .Cob nuts (A & B) which are a favourite for dessert - and for making fancy chocolates etc. The leaves are oval - hairy - and narrowed to an abrupt point.
	39 BEECH Fagus sylvatica F AGACEAE Perhaps the noblest of all our great woodland trees - the Beech is most at home on hills of chalk and limestone such as the Chilterns and the Cotswolds - where one may walk beneath giants up to 150 feet in height with massive - grey - smooth trunks. The crown is broad and densely leafy - casting a refreshing but rather sombre shade. Native only in the south - it is frequently planted elsewhere. Beech is one of our toughest native timbers - but is most suitable for domestic use - being rather perishable outdoors.
	40 BEECH Fagus sylvatica FAGACEAE Examined closely - the oval - rather shining leaves of the Beech are most attractive - with fine silky hairs around the margins and along the veins of the lower surfaces when young they are very delicate and thin - and before leaf fall produce most beautiful autumn tints. The male (+) and female (+) flowers are separate on the same tree - the former being scattered in clusters along tassel like stalks. The fruit (A) - commonly known as 'beech mast' - consists of one or two triangular nuts (B) in a hard prickly case which opens lengthwise along 4 'seams'.
	41 SWEET OR SPANISH CHESTNUT Castanea sativa F AGACEAE A native of the Mediterranean region but of ancient introduction - generally believed to have been imported into Great Britain by the Romans - the Sweet Chestnut has proved very much at home in our climate and is now extensively naturalised in southern England and the Midlands - thriving best on light soils. A large tree often growing to 100 feet. in height and with a wide rounded crown - it can usually be recognised by the bark alone - this being deeply fluted with the fissures ascending the trunk in a distinct spiral. The wood closely resembles that of oak.
	42 SWEET OR SPANISH CHESTNUT Castanea sativa F AGACEAE The Sweet Chestnut cannot in any way be confused with the Horse Chestnut. Instead of spectacular "candles" - its flowers are attractive erect catkins - conspicuous for the bright yellow anthers of the male (^) flowers - which are all situated at the top of each upper catkin while the female (+) flowers are collected at the bottom the lower catkins are male only. The leaf is not divided - but has an oblong blade regularly toothed around the margins. The fruit (A) (seedcase) is densely prickly over the whole surface - and usually contains three nuts (B) the true chestnut commonly roasted for eating.
	43 HOLM OR EVERGREEN OAK Quercus ilex FAGACEAE Commonly planted principally in southern and central England - the Holm Oak is occasionally self sown and naturalised. It is a native of western Europe and the Mediterranean region - and grows to a height of 70 feet. The crown is heavy and densely leafy - giving a deep shade - and is sombre in appearance from the dark leaves. The trunk is furnished with a dark greyish - scaling bark. Holm Oak timber has been used for agricultural purposes - but tends to warp in the seasoning process.
	44 HOLM OR EVERGREEN OAK Querous ilex FAGACEAE The dense whitish felty down of the young leaves of the Holm Oak soon vanishes from the upper surface - leaving it dark green and smooth on the lower surface - however - it persists and darkens. The margins of the oblong leaves may be toothed or not. As in all oaks - the male (^) and the female (+) flowers are in different groups on the same tree - the male forming loose tassel like catkins. The acorn.(A) is similar to that of the Common Oak - but the scales of the cup are covered with short hairs.
	45 COMMON OAK Quercus robur F AGACEAE One of our commonest and best known deciduous trees - the Common Oak thrives best on heavy and alkaline soils - the Ourmast Oak (Q. petraea) being the more usual on lighter acid soils. The Common Oak lives to a great age (1000 years and more) - many very old individuals being found in the New Forest and other relict woodlands. When growing in the open its average height is about 75 feet with a broad rounded crown - but woodland specimens may be taller and more slender. The timber is the most valuable of our native hardwoods for strength and durability.
	46 COMMON OAK Quercus robur FAGACEAE The leaves of the Common Oak are deeply and irregularly divided with rounded lobes - and almost or quite without stalks at the base they do not taper to the midrib but have rounded - flap like appendages on each side. The leaves of the Ourmast Oak - also common but on more acid soils - lack these appendages and have stalks up to an inch long. Conversely - the groups of acorns (A) are stalked in the Common Oak but not or only shortly so in the Ourmast. Hybrids between the two species occur. The Common Oak has slender male (^) catkins up to about 11 inches long. Galls - produced on the tree being attached by gall wasps - are common on oak trees. The Marble Gall illustrated is one type - the Oak Apple another.
	47 StrAWBERRY trEE Arbutus unedo ERICACEAE As a British native tree - the Strawberry Tree is found only in the mild - moist climate of S. W . Ireland - where it is common in some localities - flourishing in rocky scrub and open woodland. It is commonly found as a shrub - but may also grow to a tree up to 40 feet in height - with a broad crown and rather rough bark. It may be grown in the warmer districts of southern England - but is essentially a Mediterranean species. The wood has a hard close grain and will take a high polish it is chiefly used for marquetry.
	48 StrAWBERRY trEE Arbutus unedo ERlCACEAE As is the case with most evergreens - the narrowly oval - pointed leaves of the Strawberry Tree are dark green above and rather leathery in texture the margins are regularly toothed. Like most of the heath family - to which the plant belongs - the flowers are urn shaped with recurved lobes at the mouth they are creamy white or pinkish in colour. After almost a year they produce the conspicuous fruits which give the tree its name. These are orange red - warty - strawberry like and about ! inch across.
	49 ASH Fraxinus excelsior OLEACEAE A large tree of 75 to 100 feet or more - the Ash is one of our most common and widely distributed species. It has a broad - dense crown and the bark is grey and smooth - or in old trees somewhat cracked. It grows particularly well on soils containing lime - and is rarer in acid localities. The wood is of considerable value to the Economy as it has more important applications than that of any other British tree. Although difficult to season - it is particularly resistant to sudden shock - and for this reason is much used for sports equipment and tool handles.
	50 ASH Fraxinus excelsior OLE JACEAE The flowers of the Ash are unattractive - having no petals or sepals since they are pollinated by wind and thus have no need to attract insects they appear in April and May - and the fruit is set in October and November. This is a winged 'key' rather like half that of a Sycamore key but almost symmetrical. The clear green graceful leaves are composed of mostly 9 to II lance shaped - regularly toothed leaflets. In winter and spring the most conspicuous feature of the Ash is the jet black buds - which contrast strikingly with the grey green twigs.
	Illustrated and described by Micahel Youens

"It has no morals - because its a house"
---------
[http://Spaghoops.com/squelch/trees_britain.htm]