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The fruit from this tree is sour, but can be made into a tasty jelly.

Plants - British Trees

British trees shape woodlands, parks and hedgerows. Learn how to spot them by leaves, buds and bark, and discover why trees matter for wildlife.

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Fascinating Fact

Oak trees can often be recognised by their lobed leaves and acorns, and they support a wide range of insects, birds, and fungi.

In this Specialist Nature topic, you will look at common British trees and how to identify them using clues like leaf shape, buds, bark texture, seeds, and overall silhouette. You will also explore how trees fit into habitats, from ancient woodland to street planting, and how seasons can change what you notice.

Key Terms

Deciduous: A tree that loses its leaves in autumn and grows new ones in spring.
Evergreen: A tree that keeps its leaves or needles through the year, even though it still replaces older ones over time.
Bud: A small growth point on a twig that can open into a leaf, flower, or new shoot.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How can I identify British trees by their leaves?

You can identify many British trees by looking at the leaf shape, the edge (smooth or toothed), and how the leaves sit on the twig (opposite or alternating). Noticing whether leaves are single or made of smaller leaflets can also help.

How do you identify a tree in winter without leaves?

In winter, you can use buds, twigs, and bark to identify trees. Look at bud size and shape, twig colour, and any remaining fruits or seed cases. The overall outline of the tree, including branching pattern, can be a strong clue too.

What is the difference between native and non-native trees in Britain?

Native trees are species that reached Britain naturally after the last Ice Age and became part of local ecosystems. Non-native trees were introduced by people, sometimes long ago, for timber, parks, or gardens, and some can spread into the wild.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of Flynnbar

Ash

Yew

Rowan

Field Maple

Order: Lamiales
Family: Oleaceae
Genus: Fraxinus
Species: F. excelsior
Its preferred habitat is woods and hedgerows.
Grows well on lime-rich and heavy soils.
Has a single trunk and can grow up to 40 metres.
Its wood is tough and is used to make oars, hockey sticks and skis among other things.

2 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of Willow

Common Beech

White Willow

Oak

Common Hawthorn

Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Salix
Species: S. alba
A beautiful and widespread tree, often seen by streams and rivers.
The wood is used for fences and baskets, however it is mostly well-known for its use as cricket bats.
The bark tends to be grey-brown with deep fissures.

3 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/dittmars/

Sycamore

Crab Apple

Ash

Silver Birch

Order: Fagales
Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Betula
Species: B. pendula
Makes an attractive garden tree.
Has a white bark with diamond-shaped black marks.
A valuable tree for wildlife as it supports over 200 species of insect.
The twigs are used for making brooms and jumps for horse racecourses.

4 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of Pleple2000

Rowan

Yew

Holly

Black Poplar

Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Sorbus
Species: S. aucuparia
It can grow at altitudes of 1,000 metres above sea level, the highest of our trees.
Berries are yellow to begin with, then ripen to a bright red colour.
The name derives from a Norse word meaning a charm. It was often planted outside houses to ward off witches.

5 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of Malene Thyssen

Silver Birch

Alder

Common Beech

Black Poplar

Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Fagus
Species: F. sylvatica
A tall tree with a straight trunk.
It prefers lime-rich soils.
Because it can be turned easily, this tree's wood is perfect for making chairs.
Chairmakers used to be known as 'bodgers' in the Chilterns.

6 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of MPF

Common Hawthorn

Field Maple

Alder

Oak

Order: Fagales
Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Alnus
Species: A. glutinosa
A deciduous tree which grows along streams and in marshland.
This tree has a rough bark.
The charcoal from this species was used for gunpowder until the 1940s.
Clogs and toys are made from its wood.

7 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of Eleagnus

Common Beech

Holly

Yew

Wych Elm

Order: Aquifoliales
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Genus: Ilex
Species: I. aquifolium
A very popular Christmas decoration.
The leaves are hairless, prickly and dark green.
Only the females produce the bright red berries.
These berries are poisonous to humans if eaten, but birds love them!

8 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of Roi.dagobert

Yew

White Willow

Ash

Oak

Order: Pinales
Family: Taxaceae
Genus: Taxus
Species: T. baccata
An evergreen tree with a bulbous and somewhat split trunk.
The bark, cut foliage and seeds are poisonous.
Studies of this tree found in churchyards reveal that some could well be over 4,000 years old!

9 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of Hans Hillewaert

Sycamore

Holly

Wych Elm

Crab Apple

Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Malus
Species: M. sylvestris
This tree's flowers are a delicate pale pink to white colour.
Does not grow on acid soil.
The fruit is sour, but can be made into a tasty jelly.
It rarely grows higher than 8 metres.

10 .

Can you identify this British tree?

Photograph courtesy of MPF

Common Hawthorn

Field Maple

Common Hazel

Ash

Order: Fagales
Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Corylus
Species: C. avellana
Flowers appear before the leaves between the months of January to April.
Male flowers are catkins.
The nuts are a food source for squirrels, mice and birds.
The wood can be used for thatching.

Author: Sarah Garratty

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