TEST VERSION 2013 guide to identifying common trees and shrubs in the winter y ominic Price and Leif erswede
guide to identifying common trees and shrubs in the winter y ominic Price and Leif ersweden ll proceeds received by the authors will go to The Species Recovery Trust cknowledgements ll photographs, illustrations and text ominic Price and Leif ersweden This is a test version. In some places a white box shows where an image will be placed in the final version. The final version will have species accounts in colour. i
ii ontents Introduction 1 How to use this guide 1 Glossary 2 Key diagnostics 3 ud summaries uds opposite on stem 4 uds alternate/spiralling on stem 6 onfusable species 8 Winter trees key 10 Species accounts lder 20 lder buckthorn 21 sh 22 eech 23 irch 24 lackthorn 25 uckthorn 26 herry 27 rab apple 28 ogwood 29 Elder 30 Elm 31 Field maple 32 Guelder-rose 33 Hawthorn 34 Hazel 35 Hornbeam 36 Horse chestnut 37 Lime 38 Oak 39 Poplar 40 Rowan 41 Spindle 42 Sweet chestnut 43 Sycamore 44 Wayfaring-tree 45 Whitebeam 46 Wild privet 47 Wild service tree 48 Willow 49 Index 51
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 1 Introduction Winter trees bridge the gap between the mellow fruitfulness of autumn and the re-birth of nature in the spring. They are reminiscent of bleak landscapes, windblown and lying in dormancy to such a degree that that they can appear dead. Yet closer inspection reveals a different story; a multitude of slowly swelling buds, often visible in ugust before the tree has even thought about losing it leaves. These represent thousands upon thousands of tiny bundles of life, waiting to spring forth with leaf upon leaf and giving a glimpse of hope in the depth of winter. quick glance at the bud summary photos on pages 4-7 of this guide instantly reveals their sheer diversity. On the whole they are extremely varied, unique, and often very easy to learn and remember. dd on top of this the difference between types of bark, size of tree and habitat, and it starts to become a much easier art-form than it seems at first. For those of us addicted to the need to identify things while out on walks or doing survey work, winter tree I provides an enjoyable tonic to keep us happy throughout the winter, and once hooked you ll never look at a tree in the same way! How to use this guide This guide covers the broad-leaved deciduous species you are most likely to find in the UK, but includes a few rarer trees too. In some cases, namely with willows and poplars, a number of species have been encompassed under one heading and the commonest members of the group have been highlighted in order to make the information concise and accessible to beginners and experts alike. There are three ways to use the book: 1. If you have a good idea which tree you have, do a quick check in the key diagnostics guide on page 3, and then look up the main species account (listed alphabetically, or use the index). 2. If you have no idea what you have, use the bud summaries on pages 4-7. The only question you have to answer is whether the buds are opposite or not, which is the first basic step in identifying your tree. Go through the descriptions, cross-referencing with the pictures, and find the phrase which most closely describes what you are looking at (you may end up with more than one phrase). Go to the full description of these and see what best matches your tree. 3. lternatively you can work your way through the key on page 10. Once you have keyed out your tree check the buds with the illustrations given and, if it seems to match, go to the full description further on in the booklet. We have tried to keep specialist terms to a minimum, but do use the glossary (located before the key) to look up any unfamiliar terminology. While most species are fairly easy to separate in the winter there are a few that do cause problems. If you find yourself trying to decide between two species, turn to the onfusable species section on page 8 where there are similar species side by side in an easy-to-compare layout.
2 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Glossary lternate refers to the arrangement of buds on the twig atkin the flower of trees such as alder, birch and hazel rocodile back refers to the appearance of the twig Epicormic growth shoots growing straight out of the trunk, often accompanied by bulges in the trunk Lateral bud bud found on the side of a twig Leaf scar the mark left on a twig when a leaf falls E Lenticel the corky spots or lines on the stem of a twig that allow the tree to take in air Opposite refers to the arrangement of buds on the twig into opposite pairs, although they can be offset Scales leafy plates forming a protective covering on a bud F Spines rigid structures arising from the twig that taper to a sharp point (thorns) G Suckering basal shoots Terminal bud the bud at the very end of the twig H Terminal bud H Spine Scales Lateral bud Leaf scar E F G
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 3 Key diagnostics English Latin iagnostic 1 iagnostic 2 lder lnus glutinosa oxer glove buds on warty ochre twig Lots of catkins and cones lder buckthorn Frangula alnus Pale grey twigs uds unscaled velvety flaps sh Fraxinus excelsior lack opposite/offset buds on grey twigs ark very smooth becoming fissured eech Fagus sylvatica Pointy buds with large scales Thin zigzag twigs irch etula spp. Slender purplish twigs with catkins Warts (Silver) or hairs (owny) on twig lackthorn Prunus spinosa Long spines with buds on ark dark and rough; peels with age uckthorn Rhamnus cathartica Talon-like opposite/offset buds Untidy look about it herry Prunus avium or padus Horizontal lines on bark Red-brown buds, rounded with a point rab apple Malus sylvestris Ground below covered in small apples Small tree, often in hedgerows ogwood ornus sanguinea olourful (red) stems uds lying close to stem Elder Sambucus nigra Very warty, pithy inside uds opposite, made of shrivelled leaves Elm Ulmus spp. Tiny black buds (c.2mm) Older twigs with crocodile skin Field maple cer campestre uds brown; white hairy scale edges Many older twigs are stripy Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus Opposite shiny buds, reddish-green ngled stem, pithy inside Hawthorn rataegus monogyna Small thorns with bud at base Twigs often zigzagging Hazel orylus avellana Younger twigs downy Globular green or brown buds Hornbeam arpinus betulus Pointy buds on slender twig uds often curve inwards slightly Horse chestnut esculus hippocastanum Large sticky brown buds Horseshoe-shaped leaf scars Lime Tilia spp. Red twigs (can be green) Plump red buds (sometimes green) Oak Quercus spp. Many-scaled orangey-brown buds luster of buds at end of twig Poplar Populus spp. uds with more than one scale Twigs variable between species Rowan Sorbus aucuparia uds short, pointy, and alternate ranches tend to grow upwards Spindle Euonymus europaeus Very green stems Many-branched and spindly Sweet chestnut astanea sativa eep ochre angled twigs with warts lternate, plump buds sat on shelves Sycamore cer pseudoplatanus Opposite green buds ark turning from smooth to flaky Wayfaring-tree Viburnum lantana Opposite buds like velvety fawn ears uds and twigs mealy Whitebeam Sorbus aria Very white leaves underneath Edges of bud scales hairy Wild privet Ligustrum vulgare Many-branched, retaining some leaves Small black berries Wild service-tree Sorbus torminalis Green pea-like buds Spreading, twigs forking Willow Salix spp. uds have one scale Tree bark with deep gashes
4 ominic Price and Leif ersweden uds opposite on stem In these species the buds face each other on In some species, such as ash and spindle, the buds are occasionally offset from each other but still share the overall characteristics on this group. sh Page 22 uds black and velvety, on grey stems (can be offset). ark smooth, becoming fissured. Elder Page 30 uds comprise miniature shrivelled leaves on warty, pithy stem. Shrub has weak branches. uckthorn Page 26 uds talon-like and often in offset pairs. Grows in hedges; shrub often looks untidy. Field maple Page 32 uds brown with white hairy scale edges, often on side twigs. ark with vertical ridges. ogwood Page 29 uds lying close to red (at times green) stem. Red, many-twigged shrub. Guelder-rose Page 33 Shiny, red-green buds on grey angled stem. Shrub with smooth bark, becoming rougher.
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 5 opposite sides of the stem Horse chestnut Page 37 Large, sticky, brown buds. Edges of bark lifting off in older trees. Wayfaring-tree Page 45 uds resemble velvety fawn ears on a mealy brown stem. Shrub, bark fissures when old. Spindle Page 42 Green opposite/offset buds lying flat on green angled stem. Many-branched shrub. Wild privet Page 47 uds brown-green, dumpy and in opposite/ offset pairs. Many-branched shrub; leaves persist during the winter. Sycamore Page 44 Green buds on grey-brown stems. ark grey and smooth; flaky on older trees.
6 ominic Price and Leif ersweden uds alternate/spiralling on stem These buds show a variety of lder Page 20 Reddish purple boxing glove buds on warty ochre twig with catkins and cones. herry Page 27 uds comprise miniature shrivelled leaves on warty, pithy stem. Shrub has weak branches. lder buckthorn Page 21 uds are tufted and lack scales; spreading spindly branches. Vertical orange slits in bark. rab apple Page 28 rown, downy-tipped buds, usually stalked. ark fissures into small, rectangular plates. eech Page 23 uds very pointy and on a slender twig. Trunk grey with horizontal wrinkles. Elm spp. Page 31 Tiny black buds (c.2 mm). Older trees with crocodile skin. irch spp. Page 24 Small, green-brown buds on slender twig. ark peeling, branches drooping. Goat willow Page 49 Plump orange-red buds. ark with vertical gashes and fissures when old. lackthorn Page 25 Very spiny; buds are on twigs and spines. ark very dark and peeling with age. Hawthorn Page 34 Spiny, buds at base of spines, usually not on them. ark pale brown and flaking with age.
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 7 arrangements, from alternate to spiralling, but are rarely opposite Hazel Page 35 Plump green-brown buds on hairy stem. Often coppiced, smooth grey/brown bark. Rowan Page 41 Short pointy buds on a shiny twig. Smooth grey bark with horizontal scars. Hornbeam Page 36 Pointy buds on slender twig. Trunk smooth and grey, rather furrowed. Sweet chestnut Page 43 Plump buds sitting on individual shelves. ark becoming fissured, then twisting. Lime Page 38 Plump buds on red twig (can be green). Suckering freely, very fissured when old. Whitebeam Page 46 Green buds with brown margins and white hairs on edges of scales. ark glossy. Oak Page 39 Fat, orange-brown buds with many scales, in terminal clusters; many-branched twigs. Wild service-tree Page 48 Green, pea-like buds with brown scale edges. Small tree, bark finely fissured with age.
8 ominic Price and Leif ersweden onfusable species N.. for poplars and willows see individual species eech and hornbeam eech has longer, pointier buds Hornbeam buds lie closer to the stem whereas beech buds tend to point away from the stem eech twigs are always smooth while hornbeam twigs can be hairy Hornbeam bark develops angled furrows when old; beech bark develops cross-ridges. eech Hornbeam lackthorn and hawthorn lackthorn has buds on the spines, hawthorn rarely does Hawthorn bark tends to flake whereas blackthorn bark peels If berries are present (autumn) blackthorn has black berries, hawthorn red berries. lackthorn Hawthorn Wych elm and English elm Wych elm twigs stick out at 90 degrees to the stem, in English elm at approximately 60 degrees Wych elm buds have many tiny rust-coloured hairs which are absent or very few in English elm. Wych elm English elm ommon lime and small-leaved lime N.. These species are virtually impossible to distinguish in the winter ommon lime twigs tend to be linear; small-leaved lime twigs are more branched. ommon lime Small-leaved lime
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 9 accounts (pages 40 and 49 respectively) Pedunculate oak and sessile oak The acorn cups of pedunculate oak are stalked whereas those of sessile oak are unstalked Pedunculate oak buds usually have fewer than 20 scales, sessile oak buds have more than 20 scales Sessile oak has a narrower crown than pedunculate oak and its branches grow upwards more. Pedunculate oak Sessile oak Silver birch and downy birch N.. The following characteristics are not definitive Silver birch has hairless warty twigs whereas downy birch has hairy twigs that lack warts owny birch is a more erect tree than silver birch without many drooping branches Silver birch twigs are usually shiny; downy birch twigs being duller and darker Silver birch owny birch Young downy birch will have brownish bark that barely peels; young silver birch have pale silvery bark that easily peels. Wild cherry and bird cherry The inner bark of wild cherry twigs is odourless whereas that of bird cherry emits a strong odour ird cherry buds appear singly on the twig; wild cherry buds occur in clusters of up to 9 ird cherry has shiny bark whereas wild cherry has matt bark. Wild cherry ird cherry Handy Tip if your specimen has catkins it must be alder, birch or hazel. In addition, willows have downy flowers which are superficially similar to catkins.
10 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Winter Trees Key N.. Some poplars and willows have been included in the key but these genera cannot be definitively identified in the winter. 1 uds opposite... Go to 2 - uds alternate/spiralling... Go to 16 Opposite buds 2 uds lying flat against the stem, bud tip pointing towards the end of the twig... Go to 3 - uds pointing away from the stem or on a short stalk... Go to 10 or 3 ud scales present... Go to 4 - ud scales absent...... Go to 6 4 Twigs green, flattened at buds; prominent side branches on twigs...... Spindle (p. 42) - Twigs not as above...go to 5 5 Semi-evergreen shrub, very branched; twigs often growing upwards. uds small, green/brown... Wild privet (p. 47) - Young twigs very straight, buds dark brown and talon-like ; older twigs develop buds on short stalks... uckthorn (p. 26) - Young twigs pale brown; terminal bud often with greyish hairs...... Field maple (p. 32) 6 Pairs of buds towards the end of the twig bulbous. uds red/ green; the twig is a pale grey/brown and hairless... Guelder-rose (p. 33) - uds not as above...go to 7
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 11 7 uds black, small and compact... sh (p. 22) - uds brown and flap-like... Go to 8 8 Young twigs red (older twigs brown). Usually forms a many-branched shrub found in hedgerows and scrub... ogwood (p. 29) - ll twigs brown (possibly with a mealy coating)... Go to 9 9 Twigs brown with mealy yellow coating; smooth...... Wayfaring-tree (p. 45) - Twigs pale brown/grey; ridged... Elder (p. 30) 10 uds brown... Go to 11 - uds not brown... Go to 15 11 Terminal bud and leaf scars large and distinct. Larger buds are usually very sticky... Horse chestnut (p. 37) - Terminal bud similar in size to other buds... Go to 12 12 Some buds borne upon stalks... Go to 13 - Not as above... Go to 14 13 Semi-evergreen shrub, very branched; twigs often growing upwards. uds small, green/brown...... Wild privet (p. 47) - Young twigs very straight, buds dark brown and talon-like ; older twigs develop buds on short stalks... uckthorn (p. 26) - Young twigs pale brown; terminal bud often with greyish hairs...... Field maple (p. 32)
12 ominic Price and Leif ersweden 14 Twigs brittle and covered in warts; forming large shrubs in hedgerows and scrub... Elder (p. 30) - Twigs with mealy white or yellow coating; buds resemble large hairy fawn ears... Wayfaring-tree (p. 45) 15 uds green, some buds on side stalks... Sycamore (p. 44) - uds black, small and compact... sh (p. 22) - uds red, slender at first, becoming bulbous with age...... Guelder-rose (p. 33) lternate/spiralling buds 16 Spines present... Go to 17 - Spines absent... Go to 18 17 Twigs robust, very spiny, longer spines bearing buds. The bark is very dark, beginning to peel with age... lackthorn (p. 25) N.. rab apple and buckthorn may occasionally key out here. - Twigs delicate and brown, buds at base of spines, rarely on them. rown bark, flakes with age... Hawthorn (p. 34) 18 Twigs covered in dense white felt... White poplar (p. 40) - Twigs not as above... Go to 19
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 13 19 uds lying flat against the stem, bud tip pointing towards the end of the twig... Go to 20 - uds pointing away from the stem or on a short stalk... Go to 28 or 20 ud scales present... Go to 21 - ud scales absent (or difficult to tell)... Go to 26 21 uds green; scales with brown margins... Go to 22 - uds not as above... Go to 23 22 uds rounded, pea-like... Wild service-tree (p. 48) - uds pointed, lying close to stem... irch spp. (p. 24) 23 uds orange/brown, with short white hairs (N.. can be confused with beech but buds are shorter and less pointed)...... Hornbeam (p. 36) - uds red/green... Go to 24 24 End of twig hairy, buds red/green; catkins usually present from January onwards... Hazel (p. 35) - End of twig hairless... Go to 25 25 Scales green with purplish brown margins, scale tips with small white hairs... Whitebeam (p. 46) - uds and twigs red/green, twigs usually zigzagging...... Lime spp. (p. 38)
14 ominic Price and Leif ersweden 26 uds flap-like, pressed right onto the stem. Twigs very straight and light brown. Usually found near water... rack willow (p. 49) - uds fairly large (8-10 mm), yellow/orange; when broken open they are cottony inside. Twigs are green with algae... Goat willow (p. 49) N.. Grey willow may key out here. - None of the above... Go to 27 27 uds reddish brown, those on main stem rounded at tip; leaf scars as big as buds. Twigs a deep ochre, angled and with warts...... Sweet chestnut (p. 43) - uds tiny, dark brown/black. Twigs brown, side stalks approximately at right angles to the twig... Elm spp. (p. 31) - uds green/brown, pointed. Twigs thin and purplish, usually with catkins... irch spp. (p. 24) 28 uds roughly spherical/oval-shaped... Go to 29 - uds elongated, often pointed (at least 2.5 x as long as wide)... Go to 47 - uds small and tufted, brown. Twigs grey and knobbly...... lder buckthorn (p. 21) 29 uds with obviously 4 or more scales... Go to 30 - uds with obviously 1-3 scales... Go to 43 - ud scales distinguishable but difficult to count/buds very small and scales indistinguishable... Go to 30 30 Some buds on short stalks off the main twig... Go to 31 - uds unstalked... Go to 38 31 uds distinctly green, pea-like, some buds on short stalks...... Wild service-tree (p. 48) - uds not as above... Go to 32
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 15 32 uds 8 mm long or longer, dark with white hairs and can be quite pointed... Rowan (p. 41) - uds less than 8 mm long... Go to 33 33 uds on stem rounded at tip, leaf scars as big as buds; twigs a deep ochre, angled and with warts... Sweet chestnut (p. 43) - uds acute/pointed (to a varying degree)... Go to 34 34 uds very small and in little clusters, unstalked; twigs relatively straight... lackthorn (p. 25) - uds red/green/brown, some on small side stalks... Go to 35 35 Multiple scars below bud (like a pile of pancakes )... Go to 36 - Not as above... Go to 37 36 Twigs with greyish peeling layer, medium brown buds on scarred twigs. ark has horizontal marks... herry spp. (p. 27) - uds small, red. Layer of green algae usually present, thorns sometimes present... Hawthorn (p. 34) 37 Twigs usually with a layer of green algae, buds brown, scale edges hairy... rab apple (p. 28) - Twigs slender, delicate and purplish, often with catkins. uds green/brown, pointed... irch spp. (p. 24) - Twigs fairly robust, bud scales green with a brown margin...... Whitebeam (p. 46) 38 Terminal buds in clusters... Go to 39 - Terminal buds not in clusters... Go to 40
16 ominic Price and Leif ersweden 39 uds hard, orange/brown with many scales. Unstalked... Oak (p. 39) - Twigs very dark, occasionally pale grey, matching the colour of the buds which spiral up the stem. uds can occur in tight clusters. Twigs may have thorns... lackthorn (p. 25) 40 uds 4 mm or longer; red/green/brown... Go to 41 - uds less than 4 mm long, dark brown/black..... Go to 42 41 uds plump, red/green. atkins usually present from January onwards... Hazel (p. 35) - ud scales green with a brown margin; twigs fairly robust...... Whitebeam (p. 46) - uds and twigs red/green, twigs can be very zigzagged...... Lime spp. (p. 38) 42 Twigs very dark, buds which spiral up the stem. Some plants have greyish twigs with each bud replaced by a small cluster. Twigs may have thorns... lackthorn (p. 25) - Twigs brown, side stalks approximately at right angles to the twig. uds tend not to spiral around the twig but are clearly alternate... Elm spp. (p. 31) 43 uds plump, yellow/orange; when broken open they are cottony inside. lot more frequent towards the end of the twig...... Goat willow (p. 49) N.. Grey willow may key out here. - uds not as above... Go to 44 44 uds unstalked... Go to 45 - Some buds on short stalks... Go to 46
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 17 45 uds on stem small and bulbous; leaf scars as big as buds. Twigs a deep ochre, angled and with warts... Sweet chestnut (p. 43) - uds and twigs red/green, twigs can be very zigzagged...... Lime spp. (p. 38) 46 Many knobbly stalks branching from the main stem, each with a clubshaped terminal bud... lder (p. 20) - uds small, red. Layer of green algae usually present, thorns sometimes present... Hawthorn (p. 34) 47 uds with 12-15 scales, copper-coloured and pointed, clearly spreading at 45 to the twig... eech (p. 23) - uds with 1-5 scales... Go to 48 48 uds sharply pointed... Poplar spp. (p. 40) - uds more rounded... Go to 49 49 Greyish hairs present on buds... Go to 50 - Many knobbly stalks branching from the main stem, each with a clubshaped terminal bud... lder (p. 20) 50 uds greenish with hairy scale edges... Whitebeam (p. 46) - uds brown, slightly purple, usually with hairy scale edges...... Rowan (p. 41)
18 ominic Price and Leif ersweden
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 19 Species accounts
20 ominic Price and Leif ersweden lder lnus glutinosa Overall characteristics Grows up to 30 m tall amp woodland and by lakes and rivers onical shape Woody cone-like fruits usually present (which are the fruiting female catkins) Typically adorned with a mass of decorations in the form of the fruits of both male and female catkins Twigs Ochre (young twigs can be greenish) Ridged when young Orange warts present (these are called lenticels; they allow the tree to exchange gases with its environment) uds Reddish-purple, usually bearing a couple of very thin orange lines that run longitudinally (these are glands) On short stalks (approximately 3 mm long) oxing glove shaped Sometimes have a sticky layer of resin ark Purplish brown and smooth when young, soon dark grey-brown Fissures over time, eventually cracking into vertical plates When cut, the wood becomes a blood-orange colour
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 21 lder buckthorn Frangula alnus Overall characteristics Shrub or tree of damp acidic soils (bogs and open damp woodlands) Up to 5 m tall Relatively uncommon Spreading spindly branches Twigs Pale grey Many side stalks bearing terminal buds Slightly hairy Round, with lots of small, knobbly projections (where you would expect to find buds) that make the twig feel bumpy when you run your finger up it uds E Flap-like, tufted Velvety hairy No scales Usually only present at the end of the twig/side stalk, rarely growing unstalked ark Slightly rough, with vertical orange slits Inner bark is lime green and emits a strong smell E
22 ominic Price and Leif ersweden sh Fraxinus excelsior Overall characteristics Slim, tall (up to 30 m) omed top Widely-spaced branches ears clumps of winged seeds in early autumn Locally abundant, tending to grow on damper soils Twigs Grey (but can be greenish) Stem flattened below the buds Tend to be very straight Lack a ridge between the buds uds Velvet matt black Opposite pairs (can be offset) Larger terminal buds Terminal bud resembles the tip of a crosshead screwdriver ark Pale grey Smooth when young, becomes heavily lined with age as a pattern of vertical fissures develops
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 23 eech Fagus sylvatica Overall characteristics Grows up to 40 m tall Young trees are slim and conical Old trees can get very big and are manybranched and domed Young trees and hedges retain dead, coppercoloured leaves in winter Similar species see hornbeam (p. 36) Twigs E Thin, reddish-brown Young twigs have a few long hairs Small, pale spots present, usually in abundance (called lenticels) Often zigzagging uds Long and slender (1-2 cm long), spreading from twig Tapering to a relatively sharp point Scales are large and copper-coloured, eventually developing a whitish tip ark Smooth and grey Older trees first develop horizontal wrinkles and then criss-crossing ridges/furrows E
24 ominic Price and Leif ersweden irch etula spp. Overall characteristics Grows up to 30 m tall istinctive drooping branches in silver birch owny birch more erect than silver birch Very straight trunk Usually grows in woods, heaths and on the edge of bogs Twigs Slender, dark brown with a purple tint Often with catkins If hairy it will be downy birch, hairless and warty silver birch (however hybrids are common, so this isn t definitive) uds Small and shiny Pointed Hints of pale green and orangey brown ark Peeling and papery (far more so in silver birch) Young trees with silvery grey bark will most likely be silver birch Young trees with brownish bark will most likely be downy birch (again, this is not definitive) ecoming deeply fissured and knobbly on older trees Silver birch has dark diamond shaped patches (lenticels)
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 25 lackthorn Prunus spinosa Overall characteristics Shrub, usually in hedgerows or scrub but occasionally as free-standing tree to 4 m Spines almost always present Flowers before it produces leaves Many-branched and freely suckering, forming thickets lack berries (sloes) persist into the winter E Similar species see hawthorn (p. 34) Twigs ear several long spines which may eventually bear leaves and flowers/fruit themselves. Some can be large (exceeding 7 cm in length, appearing to be separate side-shoots) ark coloured, some young twigs developing a silvery outer layer Young twigs slightly hairy ranched in many directions (usually sticking out at 45-90 degrees from the stem) uds Grow on the spines as well as on the stem Occasionally in clusters ark lack and rough, often powdered with algae On older specimens starts to peel E
26 ominic Price and Leif ersweden uckthorn Rhamnus cathartica Overall characteristics Spreading deciduous tree to 6 m Often found growing as a shrub in a hedgerow Has an untidy look about it Young twigs sprouting from the trunk Spines sometimes present Twigs Very straight, particularly the younger twigs Greyish Some bearing thin spines Often branching at 90 degrees When broken they reveal orangey wood that has a noticeable odour uds Reddish-brown, talon-like In slightly staggered or perfect opposite pairs Pressed closely against the stem Older branches have single buds borne upon stalks ark Orange patches can been seen between fissures ecoming dark brown with age and beginning to flake Lichens and mosses obscure colour
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 27 herry Prunus spp. Overall characteristics Native deciduous tree, often planted Wild cherry up to 30 m, bird cherry tends to be a much smaller tree or a large shrub High, domed crown Often retaining some old leaves during the winter Twigs Relatively straight, often curving up at the ends Peeling pale grey layer, red-brown underneath Smooth Inner bark of twigs is either odourless (wild cherry) or has a strong odour (bird cherry) uds E Red-brown, rounded with a point Visible scales Often at end of multiple scars like a pile of pancakes Single in bird cherry, in clusters of up to 9 in wild cherry ark haracteristic orangey brown horizontal lines (lenticels) Grey to red Shiny in bird cherry, matt in wild cherry Peels when young, rough when old E
28 ominic Price and Leif ersweden rab apple Malus sylvestris Overall characteristics small tree, growing up to 10 m tall Usually found in hedgerows or in woodland heck for small apples on the ground It is worth noting that many apparently wild crab apples are in fact naturalised apples derived from discarded apple cores Twigs Greyish-brown, often bearing lichens May have a thin white latex Hairless Often thorny uds Reddish-brown Oval-shaped with downy tips lternate Usually stalked ark eep brown Fissures into small, irregular, rectangular plates Often covered in mosses and lichen
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 29 ogwood ornus sanguinea Overall characteristics Shrub, growing to 4 m tall Tends to occupy scrub or hedgerows Easily identifiable from a distance due to its red twigs Prefers calcareous soils Suckering Twigs lood red (can be green in the shade) Smooth Pale spots usually present (lenticels) uds E ark brown, in opposite pairs Lying flat alongside stem Slightly hairy No scales ark The more mature specimens have ridged bark When bruised it gives off a putrid smell E
30 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Elder Sambucus nigra Overall characteristics bushy shrub (to 10 m) with many stems arising at ground level The pith inside the stalks resembles white, spongy cork Grows in a variety of habitats, including scrub, hedgerows, waste ground and woods Very common around rabbit warrens as rabbits don t eat elder Twigs Often brittle, hollow/contain white pith ngled surface giving a fluted appearance Prominent warts (these are lenticels) Unpleasant smell when crushed (likened to cat urine or putrid gravy) uds In opposite pairs Very untidy No scales; the apparent buds are in fact young leaves, although brown and shrivelled ark Pale brown, corky eeply grooved, particularly when mature Frequently covered in mosses and liverworts
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 31 Elm Ulmus spp. Overall characteristics Tall (growing to 35 m) Relatively narrow oblong-shaped tree Usually grows in hedgerows; full size trees are uncommon due to utch elm disease English elm freely suckers Elms are a complex group of trees and often difficult to distinguish between Twigs Hairy at first becoming smooth Often have corky crocodile backs, some thinner twigs developing corky-wings Stick straight out in wych elm Stick out at approximately 60 degrees in English elm uds EF lack (or dark brown) Tiny (c. 2 mm) Often have very tiny rust-coloured hairs, particularly in wych elm ark Smooth at first, becoming fissured F E
32 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Field maple cer campestre Overall characteristics an reach 20 m in height as a tree, although often grows as a shrub Very round in profile (although old trees can reach a considerable height and girth) The ends of the branches tend to droop before turning upwards Often found in hedgerows and woodlands Twigs Light brown and slightly hairy Many developing characteristic stripes Older twigs have crocodile back uds EF Green and reddish-brown with visible white hairy edges Opposite pairs, often on stalks ark Grey or dark brown Fine, shallow, vertical fissures that get more evident with age Older specimens start losing flakes F E
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 33 Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus Overall characteristics Shrub 2-4 m tall ommon towards the south-east of England Typically found on chalk and limestone habitats right red berries which, when ripe, have an unpleasant odour Twigs Grey, angled and hairless Twig ends in a withered stalk (where the berries were) Pithy inside uds E Younger buds slender, becoming bulbous with age Opposite pairs Smooth, and shiny Reddish-green ark Pale and smooth in young trees, becoming rougher E
34 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Hawthorn rataegus monogyna Overall characteristics Shrub (to 15 m) commonly found in hedgerows and scrub, although it is often present in woodland Occasionally occurs as a free-standing tree Often planted as field boundaries Similar species see blackthorn (p. 25) Twigs Small thorns usually present, but not always Green to reddish brown Often zigzagging uds E Small, oval-shaped Slightly reddish an be at the end of multiple scars pile of pancakes Found at base of thorns, rarely on them ark Greyish brown When older starts flaking off in rough rectangles E
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 35 Hazel orylus avellana Overall characteristics Most frequently found as coppice: shrubs in managed woodland are up to 4 m but those in unmanaged coppices can outgrow this ommon hedgerow shrub Suckering, producing many stems Twigs Pale brown, softly furry when young (older specimens retain hairs at the shoot tip) Slightly zigzagged Often with catkins and/or female buds (which flower February onwards) uds E Pale green and smooth (can also be reddish brown) Large visible scales that have a thin brown edge Plump, oval-shaped ark Smooth and shiny, from grey to reddish brown Very visible horizontal warts (lenticels) Tends to peel E
36 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Hornbeam arpinus betulus Overall characteristics Frequently found in parks and ornamental hedges, native to the south of England Frequently pollarded Rather like a smaller version of beech but branches more outward growing Similar species see beech (p. 23) Twigs E rown, often zigzagged Slightly hairy uds F Pale brown (can be orangey) with visible elongated scales uds lie close to the stem (whereas in beech they tend to stick out more) and often curve inwards slightly ark Grey and smooth when young, but angled (not rounded) Older trees develop furrows F E
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 37 Horse chestnut esculus hippocastanum Overall characteristics an be huge (to 25 m). Often found in parkland ranches arch down and then out Usually planted but regularly self-seeds Twigs Greyish brown overed in protruding white spots (lenticels) Typically un-branched Horseshoe-shaped leaf scars uds E Very sticky Large, with visible scales ark reddish brown an grow on short stalks ark Grey-brown, often covered in powdery lichen and algae ecomes flaky in older trees, with edges lifting off tree E
38 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Lime Tilia spp. Overall characteristics Large trees (growing up to 45m tall) ownwards arching branches and twigs Hybrids widely planted in parks as well as in woodland ommon lime often displays epicormic growth (twigs and bulges) on the lower half of the trunk ommon lime is the hybrid between smallleaved lime and large-leaved lime, rarely found naturally with both parent trees present Twigs Very red (can be green) and waxy-smooth ommon lime freely suckers from the base of the tree; small-leaved lime does not do this an be very zigzagged ommon lime twigs are linear; small-leaved lime twigs tend to be more branched uds lunt, rounded lternate on stem Red-purple (occasionally green) ark Young tree smooth, sometimes lightly cracked Old trees become very fissured ommon lime has large lumps on the lower trunk
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 39 Oak Quercus spp. Overall characteristics Large graceful trees up to 30 m Very branched Often with epicormic growth (twigs and bulges on trunk) s a rough guide, pedunculate oak is the dominant species in English lowlands, sessile oak is more dominant in upland oak woods Twigs Grey to brown with pale warts Often with thin silvery peeling layer Many-branched uds Orangey brown, plump Many-scaled with waxy hairless scales Terminal buds in a cluster More than 20 scales probably sessile oak, fewer than 20 English oak If you can find acorn cups, English oak are on stalks (usually 2-3 cm long but can reach 8 cm), sessile oak are unstalked ark Smooth at first Vertically fissured from young age
40 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Poplar Populus spp. Overall characteristics complex group of trees, difficult to separate in winter Found in damp woods, by streams or planted in parkland heck for a carpet of white/grey leaves underneath Similar species see willows (p. 49) road, spreading crown, grows to 25 m (white poplar) Slender tree, suckers freely, grows to 25 m (aspen) rown has multiple domes, grows to 40 m (grey poplar) Spreading crown, branches arching down, doesn t sucker, grows to 35 m (black poplar) N.. on t confuse the latter with hybrid black poplar whose main branches rise and curve upwards Twigs Young twigs covered in dense white felt (white poplar) Twigs hairless when mature (aspen) Thinly downy (grey poplar) Tend to be hairless but can be densely hairy (black poplar) uds Poplar buds have several scales (willow buds have one scale) Thickly downy, becoming hairless and reddishbrown with age, bluntly pointed (white poplar) Hairless, cone-shaped, sharply pointed, sticky (aspen) Thinly downy when young, egg-shaped (grey poplar) Hairless, oval-shaped, narrowing slowly to a point (black poplar) ark Smooth and grey (white poplar) Smooth and pale with horizontal rows of small pores (aspen) When young, smooth, yellowish-grey bark with horizontal lines of small diamondshaped pores. When old, roughly fissured (grey poplar) ark in colour, with swollen bosses (black poplar) N.. Hybrid black poplar doesn t have trunk bosses
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 41 Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Overall characteristics Smallish tree, up to 16 m ranches tend to grow upwards Frequently found in upland areas on acidic soils, rare in lowlands (although often planted in parks or gardens) Twigs Upwards growing Grey or sometimes shiny brown Very smooth Young twigs usually have some long hairs uds onical On very short stalks Slightly purple scales, hairy scale edges (can be very hairy) ark Grey and smooth Horizontal scars
42 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Spindle Euonymus europaeus Overall characteristics Many-branched shrub or small tree (to 6 m) Occurs on calcareous soils Spectacular orange/pink fruit Spindly look about it Twigs Noticeably green ngled stems, with flat faces Prominent side-branches on twigs Lack a ridge between the buds uds Small, opposite (can be offset) Pale green with reddish brown scale margins Lying flat on stem ark Pale brown to grey Rippling surface
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 43 Sweet chestnut astanea sativa Overall characteristics ommon tree in south-east, often planted elsewhere Often coppiced but when mature can grow up to 25 m Look for spiny nut cases on ground ranches arch down, often touching ground Twigs Shiny, smooth with angled face Sometimes covered in white dusting which comes off when rubbed eep ochre, angled, with warts Tend to grow straight Small white spots (lenticels) uds E Light brown/with light green sections Plump, sat on shelves lternate ark Smooth brown on young Surface fissures longitudinally on older specimens Starts to spiral round on older trees E
44 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Sycamore cer pseudoplatanus Overall characteristics Spindly sapling through to huge veterans (30 m) Wide crown Very common, often one of the first trees to colonise unmanaged land Twigs Grey to orangey brown with small spots (lenticels) uds E Pale green opposite pairs Large scales with purple edges and a fringe of very small white hairs ark ompletely smooth and grey on young trees On older ones starts to scale and flake off in rectangular chunks E
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 45 Wayfaring-tree Viburnum lantana Overall characteristics Shrub to 6 m Typically found on chalk, more common in the south-east Twigs eep ochre with mealy white or yellow coating Typically very round, but can be angled uds Resemble velvety fawn ears Mustard to grey coloured with mealy coating No scales Strong opposite pairs, never on stalks an be either lying close to the stem or spreading away from it ark Grey to brown Smooth when young, becoming fissured
46 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Whitebeam Sorbus aria agg. Overall characteristics omplex group of micro-species Look for large white leaves on ground below Twigs ull purplish-brown Hairless uds E Green with brown margins Fringe of white hairs on scale edge lternate Spaced out Oval-shaped, with a blunt point ark Glossy Smooth, with wavy ridges on older specimens E
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 47 Wild privet Ligustrum vulgare Overall characteristics Spreading shrub often in hedgerows, but also frequent in the understory of calcareous woodlands Very branched Semi-evergreen Small, black berries can persist into January Twigs Straight and very round Typically growing upwards Young twigs downy Lack a ridge between the buds rittle uds E Scales either green with brown tip or dark brown/reddish Egg-shaped, dumpy Opposite pairs; mostly staggered but some perfectly opposite ark Reddish-brown Vertical gashes present on older shrubs Often covered in algae E
48 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Wild service-tree Sorbus torminalis Overall characteristics Medium-sized tree (to 20 m) Spreading or domed, depending on where it is situated Scarce, but occasionally locally common, especially in ancient woodland. It is rare to find many trees growing together Twigs Slender, brown and often shiny Spreading ommonly forking Small, pale spots (lenticels) uds istinctly green, pea-like Rounded, oval-shaped to spherical Obvious scales with brown edges lternate ommonly borne upon short stalks ark Greyish-brown Rough and finely fissured with age
The guide to identifying trees and shrubs in the winter 49 Willow Salix spp. Overall characteristics Large and difficult group of trees, particularly as they regularly hybridise, so are difficult to separate in winter Often grow in or near water, or in woodland atkin-like flowers appearing March onwards Similar species see poplars (p. 40) Shrub or tree, grows to 10 m (grey willow or goat willow) Spreading crown, with pendulous branches, grows to 25 m (crack willow) Narrow crown; has a characteristic drooping habit, grows to 25 m (white willow) Twigs Persistently downy. Peel away the bark of second year twigs to see raised ridges on the wood (grey willow) Hairy when young, becoming hairless. second year twigs lack raised ridges on the wood under the bark (goat willow) E Spindly and fragile, light brown (crack willow) Spindly but not fragile, light brown (white willow) uds Willow buds have one scale (poplar buds have several scales) Yellow/red, slightly hairy, when broken open cottony inside (grey willow) Yellow/red, hairless, when broken open cottony inside. Tend to be slightly larger than grey willow buds (goat willow) E rown and flattened against the stem (crack willow) rown/reddish-yellow, pressed closely against the stem (white willow) ark Generally smooth when young, developing deep gashes with age Greyish-brown, fissured (grey willow or goat willow) eeply fissured, rugged, doesn t peel (crack willow or white willow) E
50 ominic Price and Leif ersweden Index Latin names cer campestre 3, 32 pseudoplatanus 3, 44 esculus hippocastanum 3, 37 lnus glutinosa 3, 20 etula spp. 3, 24 arpinus betulus 3, 36 astanea sativa 33, 43 ornus sanguinea 3, 29 orylus avellana 3, 35 rataegus monogyna 3, 34 Euonymus europaeus 3, 42 Fagus sylvatica 3, 23 Frangula alnus 3, 21 Fraxinus excelsior 3, 22 Ligustrum vulgare 3, 47 Malus sylvestris 3, 28 Populus spp. 3, 40 Prunus spp. 27 Prunus avium 3 padus 3 spinosa 3, 25 Quercus spp. 3, 39 Rhamnus cathartica 3, 26 Salix spp. 3, 49 Sambucus nigra 3, 30 Sorbus aria 3, 46 aucuparia 3, 41 torminalis 3, 48 Tilia spp. 3, 38 Ulmus spp. 3, 31 Viburnum lantana 3, 45 opulus 3, 33 English names lder 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 17, 20 lder buckthorn 3, 6, 14, 21 sh 3, 4, 11, 12, 22 eech 3, 6, 8, 17, 23, 36 irch 2, 3, 6, 9, 13, 14, 15, 24 lackthorn 3, 6, 8, 12, 15, 16, 25, 34 uckthorn 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 26 herry 3, 6, 9, 15, 27 rab apple 3, 6, 12, 15, 28 ogwood 3, 4, 11, 29 Elder 3, 4, 11, 12, 30 Elm 3, 6, 8, 14, 16, 31 Field maple 3, 4, 10, 11, 32 Guelder-rose 3, 4, 10, 12, 33 Hawthorn 3, 6, 8, 12, 15, 17, 25, 34 Hazel 2, 3, 7, 9, 13, 16, 35 Hornbeam 3, 7, 8, 13, 23, 36 Horse chestnut 3, 5, 11, 37 Lime 3, 7, 8, 13, 16, 17, 38 Oak 3, 7, 9, 16, 39 Poplar 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 17, 40, 49 Rowan 3, 7, 15, 17, 41 Spindle 3, 5, 10, 42 Sweet chestnut 3, 7, 14, 15, 17, 43 Sycamore 3, 5, 12, 44 Wayfaring-tree 3, 5, 11, 12, 45 Whitebeam 3, 7, 13, 15, 16, 17, 46 Wild privet 3, 5, 10, 11, 47 Wild service-tree 3, 7, 13, 14, 48 Willow 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 40, 49
Test Version 2013 guide to identifying common trees and shrubs in the winter This new IGP guide is currently being tested. Please try the guide out and see how easy you find it is to use. Feedback from testers is a critical part of the IGP project, we value all your comments on the guides accuracy, ease of use, etc., whether these are critical or otherwise. The authors will revise the final version in light of this feedback; so all comments are potentially useful, no matter how trivial they may appear. Please either email your comments to publications@field-studies-council.org Or complete the form and post it to: FS Publications, Unit 1, Stafford Park 15, Telford, TF3 3 Thank you for your support of the IGP project. IGP TEST VERSION guide to identifying common trees and shrubs in the winter 1 What type of identification guides have you used before? 2 - id you find this guide easy to use? YES / NO 3 Were you confident that your identifications were correct? YES / NO (please comment) 4 id you find any parts of the guide/keys difficult or misleading? YES / NO (please comment) 5 Were there sufficient illustrations? YES / NO (please comment) 6 re there any changes you would like to see made before final publication? (please comment) 7 Is there any additional information that you would like to see included? 8 ny additional comments? Name: Please return by 31st March 2013