Haven Wildwalk

The Ash is one of the most common trees in the UK and, when fully mature, can reach a height of 35m. It is tall, with pale brown to grey parks and fissures as the tree matures. In winter, the tree has black flattened twigs and buds. The leaves are oval and light green, and they fall in the autumn while they are still green. The flowers grow long fruits in late summer and autumn until they fall in winter.

The deciduous Oak can grow up to 40m tall.  Their leaves are around 10cm long with 4-5 lobes with smooth edges, Leaf burst occurs mid may and the leaves grow in bunches. They have long yellow catkins and have features green acorns that grow up to 2.5cm which falls when they turn brown.

Field maple is sturdy three that has light brown and flaky bark with thin brown twigs, which has a corky bark in later years. It can grow up to 20m and is popular with aphids and their predators. Twigs are slender and brown, and the tree develops a corky bark with age. Field maples can grow to 20m. The leaves are small and shiny dark green with five lobes and rounded teeth. In autumn they fade to a golden colour.

The Norway Maple introduced to the UK in the 17^th Century can grow up to 25m. The bark is grey and twigs are thin and brown with white spots. Leaves have 5 toes with a few pointed teeth. The leaves fade in autumn to yellow then red.

There are two types of Poplar, Black and White.

The tall Black poplar is a rare sight these days but can live up to 200 years and grow up to 30m tall. The bark is dark brown/black and the knobbly twigs are brown. The leaves are shiny, green and heart-shaped. Younger leaves are also covered in tiny hairs which are shed in Autumn. The flowers are catkins (red male and yellow/green female).

The white poplar has rounded leaves compared to the black poplar. This can grow to 20m and has pale grey bark and white twigs. Young twigs have a covering of dense white hair that lasts until their second year. 

Our Silver Birch trees have a distinctive silvery-white peeling bark with triangular-shaped leaves. The tree has catkins in the Spring to Autumn period and turns yellow and golden in the Autumn.

This is the largest species of willow, with mature trees growing up to 25m. They often have a leaning crown. Their bark is grey/brown and develops deep fissures with age. The twigs are also grey/brown, with long oval leaves covered with fine silvery hairs on the underside. In the spring, they have catkins.

The Woodland Trust have a Tree ID App if you want to know more which includes a helpful A-Z of trees, including those which can be seen at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust.