What tree is it?
There are hundreds of different tree & shrub species in the UK. Identifying them can be challenging, so here is a photo ID guide to leaves, flowers and bark of some of the common species you may find in your school, park or garden.
Take a photo of the leaves, bark, fruits or shape of your tree and see if it matches any of these. Click on photos to enlarge. Leaves will vary is she as they grow, so the ruler measurements are just a guide.
Deciduous trees & shrubs (They lose their leaves in winter)
Alder Prefers wet ground and often found along river banks
Ash Look for the black bud tips
Beech. Leaves can be green or a coppery red colour. Very big tree with smooth bark.
Birch (Silver). A tall thin tree shape with white/silver bark – often peeling like paper.
Blackthorn. Flowers in February, before it grows leaves. Its dark ink-blue berries (1cm diameter approx) are called sloes
Dogwood. In autumn it has dark black inedible berries, plus the leaves and shoots turn vibrant orange/red.
Elder. The off-white elderflower and deep red elderberries are used for drinks and jams
Field Maple. Look out for its helicopter seeds in the autumn
Guelder Rose. The bunches of berries (poisonous) may last long after the leaves have fallen in autumn /winter
Hazel. Look out for the tiny pink flowers in spring and hazelnuts in the autumn. The hazelnuts will be eaten by many different animals – some will gather and store them for the winter
Hawthorn. A hedgerow tree it has clusters of small white flowers in April/May and deep red berries in the autumn
Horse Chestnut. Grows large clusters of white or pink flowers in May and spiky green fruits containing conkers in September.
Maple
Oak. Produces acorns in the autumn
Rowan (Mountain Ash). A tall thin tree, its bunches of orange berries are loved by birds in the autumn (especially blackbirds and thrushes)
Sweet chestnut. Edible nuts are covered in a very spiky casing
Sycamore
Willow (different species) Often grows near water. Produces catkins (the tree’s flowers) in spring
Coniferous or evergreen Trees & Shrubs (have leaves all through the year)
Holly
Ivy – Its not a tree, but its often normally found growing in and among them.
Laurel. Very shiny and strong leaf
Yew. Often found in churchyards, where the tree may have grown for hundreds (or maybe a thousand) years. Its bright red berry-like fruits are poisonous