Latin:

Common:

Scottish Gaelic:

Family:

Preferred Growing Conditions:

Lifespan:

Height:

Shape:
Monopodial - the main growth is in the same direction every year with branching on either side.(01a)
Sympodial the main growth changes every time a branch is formed giving a zig-zag and twiggy appearance.(01a)

Scottish Native: YES

Deciduous: Of a perennial plant, esp. a tree or shrub: that sheds its leaves every year.(01b-OxD)

Semi-Deciduous: Of a tree or shrub that lose their foliage for a very short period, when old leaves fall off and new foliage growth is starting.(01b-Wiki)

Evergreen: Of a tree, shrub, etc.: having green foliage all the year round. Contrasted with deciduous.(01b-OxD)

Interesting Information

Wildlife:

Fungi Friends:

Interesting facts:

Ancient Irish Brehon Law: Protected under the status of
- Airig Fedo (Nobel of the wood). If you were to cut down an Airig Fedo you could be fined ‘Two and a half milch (milk) cows’.
The 7 Nobles are Oak, Hazel, Holly, Yew, Ash, Pine and Apple. (01c)
- Aithig Fedo (Commoner of the wood). If you were to cut down an Aithig Fedo you could be fined ‘Two and a half milch (milk) cows’.
The 7 Commoners are Alder, Willow, Hawthorn, Rowan, Birch, Elm and Cherry. (01c)
- Fodla Fedo (Lower Division of the wood). If you were to cut down an Fodla Fedo you could be fined 'One Dairt Year old heifer'.
The 7 Lower are Blackthorn, Elder, Spindle, Whitebeam, Arbutus, Aspen and Juniper. (01c)
- Losa Fedo (Bushes of the wood). If you were to cut down an Losa Fedo you could be fined 'One Dairt Year old heifer'.
The 7 Bushes are Gorse, Broom, Bog Myrtle, Bracken, Heather, Bramble and Wild Rose. (01c)

Identifying Features

1. Broadleaf OR Conifer - More Info...
2. Buds & Stem - More Info...
3. Flowers - More Info...
4. Fruit and Seeds - More Info...
5. Bark - More Info...
6. Twig or Branch - More Info...

Zoom Image - Leaf

1. Broadleaf OR Conifer

Best time of year to View: Spring and Summer. You also may be able to use autumn and winter leaves on the ground to help identify a certain tree.

Arrangement: Opposite - Leaves in pairs across from each other on the twig. or Alternate/Spiral – Leaves staggered not directly across from each other on twig

Colour: Red Black Brown Green Purple Grey

Texture: Smooth, Hairy, Sticky

Scent:

Shape: see below

Broadleaf:

Simple leaves - Leaves are whole and are not divided right to the central leaf vein, such as apple or birch. The edges of some simple leaves can be indented or lobed, such as sycamore, field maple and hawthorn, so take care not to mistake these for compound leaves. Lime leaves are a simple and heart-shaped leaf with a pointed tip.(1a)

Simple Leaf Shape: Ovate - egg-shaped. Widest below middle and tapers towards tip. Opposite to Obovate.
or Lanceelate/linear – long and thin. Three times longer than wide.
or Orbicular – Circular or rounded outline.
or Cordate – Heart Shaped.
or Oblong – Longer than broad, nearly parallel on both sides.
or Deltoid – Triangular shaped.
or Elliptic – Widest in middle and tapers equally at both ends.
or Obovate – Widest in middle tapers towards base. Opposite to Ovate.
or Palmately Lobed – Edge of leaf has finger-like indents that come from the centre.
or Lobed - Edge of leaf has finger-like indents that do not come from the centre.

or Compound leaves: Pinnate - Pinnate are feather-shaped where leaflets are attached in pairs along the central leaf stalk, such as rowan, ash and elder.(1a)
or Compound leaves: Palmate - These are palm-shaped, like the outstretched fingers of a hand. Leaflets arise from same place at top of leaf stalk. Horse chestnut has palmately compound leaves. Be careful not to mistake Acer species such as sycamore and field maple as having palmately compound leaves - they are actually simple with a lobed margin.(1a)

OR Conifer:

Needles - Pines, spruces, firs, cedars and larches have needles. They can be different shapes, sizes and be arranged differently on twigs. Flattened needles could mean a yew or whorls of three needles juniper. Larch needles are arranged in clusters.(1a)
or Scales - Species of the cypress family have scales. These are flattened and shield-shaped that overlap on the twig.(1a)

Leaf Margin: Entire – Smooth, unbroken edge with no indentations or notches.
or Undulate – Wavy or softly waving edge.
or Serrate – Saw like teeth around edge.
or Doubly Serrate – Each tooth on the serrate margin also has its own teeth.
or Crenate – Blunt, rounded teeth around edge
or Lobed – Deep indentations around edge that don’t go right to central vein.
or Spiny – Spines, spikes or prickles around edge
or Hairy – Fine hairs around edge

Zoom Image - Bud & Stem

2. Buds & Stem

In Britain most tree growth occurs in spring and summer. During the growing season the tree produces buds ready for next years growth. These buds remain dormant during the winter and open in the following spring. Inside each bud are tiny preformed leaves, shoots or flowers.(2a)

Best time of year to View: Autumn Winter

Bud Arrangement:
Terminal buds - formed at the end of the shoot.
Lateral buds - formed at the junction of the leaf and shoot. Lateral buds are formed at particular points on the shoot called nodes.
Opposite - if there are 2 buds at each node .
Alternate - if there is one bud at each node.
Zig-Zag - if the terminal bud dies or becomes a flower one of the lateral buds takes over the tip growth, resulting in growth which is slightly off centre and the shoot seems to zig-zag.
Cluster - some trees have terminal and lateral buds grouped together and form a cluster.

Bud Colour: Red Black Brown Green Purple or Grey

Bud Texture: Smooth, Hairy, Scaly, Ragged, Sticky

Bud Shape: Ovoid - egg-shaped. Widest below middle and tapers towards tip.
or Pointed: Thin and pointed at tip.

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Zoom Image - Flowers

3. Flowers

Broadleaf trees have flowers that contain the reproductive organs, and most conifers have cones for reproduction.
Hermaphroditic trees, such as cherries, produce flowers with both male and female parts.(1b)
or Monoecious trees, such as alder, bear separate male and female flowers on the same tree.(1b)
or Dioecious trees, for instance holly and yew, have separate male and female trees.(1b)

Best time of year to View: Late winter - Spring

Arrangement: Opposite - Leaves in pairs across from each other on the twig. or Alternate/Spiral – Leaves staggered not directly across from each other on twig

Colour: Red Black Brown Green Purple Grey

Texture: Smooth, Hairy, Sticky

Scent:

Shape:

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Zoom Image - Fruit and Seeds

4. Fruit and Seeds

A fruit is a seed-bearing structure that develops from the ovary and surrounding tissue. The seeds are enclosed within the ovary wall. If the wall becomes hard, the fruit is classified as Dry. If it becomes succulent the fruit is classified as Fleshy.
Once the fruit is ripe and the seed has fully formed it needs to be dispersed away from the parent tree to promote new tree establishment. Some trees release seeds in summer and autumn but many trees extend the release over several months and some still have fruit with seeds throughout the winter. (4a)

Look at the colour and feel the texture of the outer surface of the fruit. Is it smooth, hairy, prickly, rough or papery, soft, hard or dry?
Consider opening fruits up to reveal the seeds inside, which can also be a useful identifying feature. Take note of whether fruits or seeds appear singly, such as crab apples, or in groups like the umbrella-like clusters of elderberries.
Fruits of broadleaved trees
The fruit types of broadleaf trees vary greatly and include samaras, nuts, catkins, berries, stone fruits, apples or pears, capsules and cones.
Fruits of coniferous trees
Conifers have a fruit that is known as a cone which contains the seeds. (1b)

Best time of year to View: Autumn- Winter

Arrangement: Opposite - Leaves in pairs across from each other on the twig. or Alternate/Spiral – Leaves staggered not directly across from each other on twig

Colour: Red Black Brown Green Purple Grey

Texture: Smooth, Hairy, Sticky

Scent:

Shape:

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Zoom Image - Bark

5. Bark

The outer bark is dead cork, the inner bark is phloem which carries sugars and nutrients. A layer of cells between the inner and outer bark provides new cork and phloem. The sapwood consists of xylem cells which carry water. The heartwood consists of dead xylem cells.
As the tree diameter increases with age the dead outer bark layer of cork needs to expand. The way the cork layer is produced results in two different bark types – smooth/peeling bark or ridged/plated bark. (5a)

Best time of year to View: All Year

Brark Type: Smooth/Peeling - New cork is produced as a thin layer. The old layer is then lost in the form of dust. This results in smooth bark. Some smooth-barked trees, shed the thin bark in papery strips or plates. or Ridged/Plated – New cork layer is thicker and pushes the old dead cork outwards, which then splits creating ridges or plates. This results in ridged bark like the Sweet Chestnut, Oaks and Redwoods or plated bark such as the Horse Chestnut or Sycamore. The Cork Oak is an extreme example. The cork can be completely removed every 9 years and the tree regrows another cork layer.

Colour: Red Black Brown Green Purple Grey

Texture: Smooth, Hairy, Sticky

Scent:

Shape:

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Zoom Image - Twig or Branch

6. Twig or Branch

Best time of year to View: Autumn Winter

Arrangement: Opposite - Shoots in pairs across from each other on the twig. or Alternate – Shoots staggered eavenly but not directly across from each other on twig. or Zig Zag – Shoots priral or zig zag along twig.

Colour: Red Black Brown Green Purple Grey

Texture: Smooth, Hairy, Sticky

Scent:

Shoots: Hanging Down or Turn Upwards

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Wood Properties

Hardwood or Soft-Hardwood or Hard-Softwood or Softwood
Texture: Course or Medium to Coarse or Medium to Fine or Fine
Grain:
Benefits:

Common Uses

Making: Furniture,
Suibtable For Pyrography: Yes
Suibtable For Carving Whittling: Yes

Other Uses

Medicinal Properties: Yes

Dying Colours: Yellows, Reds, Browns, Greens

Bark: None Known
Leaves:
Flower:
Fruit:
Root:

Myths:

Magical Uses:

Ogham Alphabet:
Old Irish:
Aicme:
Feda:
12 tree Calendar Year Wheel:
13 tree Calendar Year Wheel:
20 tree Calendar Year Wheel:

Citationions

(01a) - Tree identification by winter shape - treeguideuk.co.uk

(01b-OxD) - Oxford English Dictionary - search: Deciduous, Evergreen

(01b-Wiki) - Wikipedia - search: Semi-Deciduous

(01c) - Youtube - Folklore & Mythology of Trees - Tree Council of Ireland - Brehon Laws 17min 47sec.

(1a) - How to identify trees - All trees have clues and features that can help with identification. You just need to know what to look out for. This quick guide to tree identification will give you a few basic hints and tips.
woodlandtrust.org.uk

(2a) - Tree identification by buds - Examine the buds and stem closely, if possible, and then choose one of these options. treeguideuk.co.uk

(4a) - Tree identification by old fruit - Some trees have old fruit on the tree or fruit husks that stay on or around the tree all winter. Here are 19 examples. treeguideuk.co.uk

(5a) - Tree identification by bark - Some trees have distinctive bark. You can use this key to check them against your tree at any time of the year. In winter this may be the easiest way to identify your tree treeguideuk.co.uk

Further Study

• A-Z of British trees - Explore our A-Z list of British trees from native species to naturalised and widely planted non-natives.
  woodlandtrust.org.uk
• What are Scotland's native woodlands - Native tree species are those which arrived naturally in Scotland without direct human assistance as far as we can tell. Most of our native tree and shrub species colonised Scotland after the last Ice Age (which ended roughly 9,000 years ago), with seeds dispersed by wind, water, and animals. forestry.gov.scot
• Discover the wild, resources page, here you will be able to download files we have produced covering different aspects of natural history. Including COMMON BRITISH TREE LEAVES - simple guide to some of the 24 commoner British tree species. Also Mushroom guides and more. discoverthewild.co.uk
• Tree and flower identification guide which has been designed to aid gardeners, horticulture and biology students and anyone who enjoys looking at flowers and trees. There are two main sections – Tree Identification and Flower Identification. In addition there is a section on How Flowers Work and another on the Tree of Life. treeguideuk.co.uk
• Characteristics and properties - Due to the way that trees grow, natural timbers have very similar physical characteristics. bbc.co.uk/bitesize
• The Brehon Laws - An Introduction to Early Irish Legal System known in Irish as “Fénechas” or the law of the Féne (free land-tillers), represent one of the oldest legal systems in Europe. These laws governed Irish society for centuries, from the early Christian period up until the 17th century, offering a unique insight into the social structures, values, and practices of early Irish people. www.irishhistory.com

• Ogham History and Uses Through Time - At the Ogham Academy, you can learn about the incredible history of the Ogham script. From its origins in Ireland to contemporary uses, explore the fascinating timeline of this ancient writing system.
  www.ogham.academy
• Ogham in 3D - There are more than 400 known 'orthodox' Ogham inscriptions. These are Ogham inscriptions on stone recording the names of individuals, sometimes accompanied by their parentage and/or tribal affiliation, as opposed to later 'scholastic' Oghams, which derive from the manuscript tradition and do not descend directly from 'orthodox' Ogham (McManus 1991, A Guide to Ogam). Ogham stones appear to have primarily served as memorials and/or boundary markers as well as indicators of land ownership. Possible associations between the commemorative function of Ogham stones and actual burials, and how these may have changed over time or geographical area, is an ongoing area of study. The inscriptions themselves were usually carved along the natural edge of the stone, generally starting at the bottom left-hand side of the face and reading upwards, across the top and down the right-hand side (up-top-down). However, there is a good deal of variation in this pattern, such as upward readings on both edges https://ogham.celt.dias.ie
• The Celtic Tree Calendar is a calendar with 13 lunar divisions. The modern tree calendar is based on a concept that letters in the ancient Celtic Ogham alphabet corresponded to a tree. www.learnreligions.com

Youtube

• WINTER TREE IDENTIFICATION - The winter clues of 11 common deciduous trees - Beech 1min 20sec - Silver Birch 1min 30sec - Ash 4min 52sec - English Oak 7min 50sec - Horse Chestnut 9min 53sec - Alder 11min 50sec - Hazel 13min 30sec - European Larch 15min 05sec - Sweet Chesnut 16min 10sec - Elder 18min - Hawthorn 19min 34sec
  youtube.com/watch
• Folklore & Mythology of Trees (Tree Council of Ireland)
  youtube.com/watch
  - Ogham 9min 10Sec
  - Irish Place Names 13min 50Sec
  - Brehon Laws 17min 47sec
  - Folklore of Trees 20min 45Sec
  - 13 tree Lunar Calendar 26min 06Sec
  - Yew (Irish) 27min 45Sec (1st-28thNov) – Nobel – Death & Eternity
  - Scottish Pine 30min 20Sec (29thNov-26thDec) – Nobel - Renewal & Rebirth
  - Birch 31min 40Sec (27thDec-23rdJan) – Commoner - Childbirth & Love
  - Rowan 32min 29Sec (24thJan-20thFeb) - Commoner - Protection
  - Alder 34min 06Sec (21stFeb-20thMar) - Commoner - Unlucky
  - Willow 35min 32Sec (21stMar-17thApr) - Commoner - Fertility & Life
  - Hawthorn 38min 23Sec (18thApr-15thMay) - Commoner - Fairies, Magic & Death
  - Ash 41min 00Sec (16thMay-12Jun)- Nobel - Attracts lightening banish devil
  - Oak 43min 06Sec (13thJun-10thJul) - Nobel – Endurance & Strength
  - Holly 45min 03Sec (11thJul-3rdAug) – Nobel - Protction
  - Hazel 46min 33Sec (8thAug-4thSept-) – Nobel – Wisdom, divine water
  - Apple 48min 26Sec (5thSept-2ndOct) – Nobel – The Afterworld
  - Elder 49min 29Sec (3rd – 30th Oct) – Lower – Witchcraft and evil
  - Other Native Trees 51min 13Sec
  - Book -Irish Trees Myth Legends and folklore by Niall Mac Coitir 52min 07Sec
• How The Ogham Grove Was Realised: and the authenticity of a Celtic 20 Tree Calendar from a modern day Druid youtube.com/watch
• The Picts: The Ogham Writing System Part 1 youtube.com/watch