Trees. Where WOULD we be without them?
They act like our constant guardians absorbing CO2 to provide us with the clean air we breathe. They quietly sit and watch as generations go by. They can live for hundreds of years, solving their own problems and adapting to the environment around them. I often wonder what a tree could tell us... if only they could talk!
Sometimes it’s easy to forget to appreciate our trees. From small shoots to magnificent giants; trees come in all shapes and sizes and are all equally fascinating.
Misty Coombes – Carl Capewell
I’m sure everyone has a favourite tree. A tree you remember fondly from childhood, or a tree you simply admire because of its beauty.
For many the favourite is the loyal oak tree. Maybe it’s a beautiful hawthorn blossoming in spring. A soaked alder near a bubbling brook. A silver birch with its silvery leaves fluttering in the wind. Or even a mighty beech tree standing tall in the middle of a wood.
Understanding how different trees work is a real art form. Each and every one has different fruits, seeds, shape, bark, leaves and prefers a different habitat. Knowing a few of these features can help you discover what the tree species is. A lot of us use the leaves to tell the species, but what happens in winter? Well here are a few tips:
Bare trees in winter – Becky Austin
Bark:
Bark is the skin of a tree. Its bark is its main protector from the outside elements. It protects the tree from water loss, extreme temperatures, and against diseases as well as helping the tree to breathe.
In winter when the majority of trees have shed their leaves, bark is sometimes the main feature to use to identify a tree species. Whether scaly, peeling, patchy, colourful, shiny or dull, every tree has a unique bark.
Strange bark on an oak tree – Becky Austin
Tree shape and growth:
Trees have different characteristics and ways of adapting to their environment through growth. When you stop and look up high into the main canopy of a tree the way it’s shaped is always different.
Some trees grow tall and straight such as the impressive beech tree. This allows them to tower over smaller plants gaining the majority of the sunlight. Some like to stay low and branch out like holly and hawthorn. Tree branches all have different ways of growing and this is quite a good identifying feature. For example oak trees grow out symmetrically from the main trunk (see below).
Some trees, like the black poplar, have peculiar growths. They put their main strength into outward reaching branches, causing them to outweigh the main trunk and snapping the branch. Because of this black poplars are becoming slowly extinct!
Classic oak tree growth – Rachel Coyle
Fruits:
Tree fruits can be categorised into one of two classes; dry or succulent. Dry fruits can be anything from the oaks classic acorns to the horse chestnut’s playful conkers. Succulent berry fruits such as the holly’s festive red berries and the elders purple elderberries – useful for the odd beverage!
Most trees fruit during autumn/ winter which is very useful for identification; as well as for wildlife!
Did you know an oak tree will only produce an acorn after it reaches 20 years old? This is a good way to tell how old the oak tree is.
Acorns – Mark Day
Habitat:
Where a tree is growing can tell you a lot about the species too. There are some trees which aren’t that fussy about where they grow. Birch will grow well on soils which have been disturbed, meaning there is little vegetation to surround them.
The alder is a fascinating species. It always grows close to water, drinking a lot in order to grow quickly. It is a pioneer species which means it will often be one of the first species to move to an area. The alder can also fix nitrogen to improve the soil meaning more can grow there. It is the giver of life!
To learn more about winter tree identification why not come to our ‘Winter tree identification walk’. On Sunday 7 December Tabi Kime, our woodland advisor will lead us on a winter walk through Coombes Valley teaching us key identifying techniques for winter trees. We will then return to our cosy Yurt for warming teas and coffees and a quick tree quiz!
This free walk is perfect for beginners and provides a good refresher for those with a keen love of trees!
Booking for the walk is preferable. You can book either by giving us a ring on 01538 384 017 or emailing: coombes.valley@rspb.org.uk .