Wild Service tree
Once widespread, if seldom abundant, the Wild Service tree in the forests of England and Wales. But as these were cleared, it became rarer and is now confined to ancient woodlands and hedges, such as those of royal hunting forests, particularly on heavy clay soils. Inconspicuous for much of the year, their white blossom in spring and crimson leaves in autumn give them away.
The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for all kinds of species. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting, ride maintenance and non-intervention all help woodland wildlife to thrive. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about woodland animals.
Whitebeam
Common Whitebeam is one of a group of closely related, shrubby, whitebeam trees, some of which are very rare. It grows in a variety of habitats, including on cliffs and mountainsides, but is also frequently planted in towns and gardens. Clusters of white flowers appear in late spring and ripen to red fruits which are greedily eaten by birds.
The green space and plants in our towns and gardens can provide habitats for all kinds of wildlife. Try planting native shrubs and trees to encourage nesting birds, feeding mammals and invertebrates into your backyard. To find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.
Midland Hawthorn
Midland Hawthorn is a shrub of ancient hedgerows and woodland edges, and is also known as 'Woodland Hawthorn'. In May, our hedgerows burst into life as Midland Hawthorn erupts with masses of pinky-white blossom. During the autumn and winter, red fruits known as 'haws' appear. Midland Hawthorn is a rich habitat for all kinds of wildlife from Hawthorn Shield Bugs and Yellowhammers that feed on the haws, to Wood Mice and Slow Worms that shelter in the thorny thickets.
Our hedgerows support all kinds of wildlife, providing vital food and shelter. But these habitats are disappearing with the intensification of agriculture. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with farmers, landowners and developers to promote wildlife-friendly practices, such as planting hedges and leaving field margins. We have a vision of a 'Living Landscape': a network of habitats and wildlife corridors across town and country, which are good for both wildlife and people. You can support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.
Hawthorn
In May, our hedgerows burst into life as Common Hawthorn erupts with masses of creamy-white blossom, colouring the landscape and giving this thorny shrub its other name of 'May-tree'. During the autumn and winter, red fruits known as 'haws' appear. Common Hawthorn is a rich habitat for all kinds of wildlife from Hawthorn Shield Bugs and Yellowhammers that feed on the haws, to Wood Mice and Slow Worms that shelter in the thorny thickets.
Our hedgerows support all kinds of wildlife, providing vital food and shelter. But these habitats are disappearing with the intensification of agriculture. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with farmers, landowners and developers to promote wildlife-friendly practices, such as planting hedges and leaving field margins. We have a vision of a 'Living Landscape': a network of habitats and wildlife corridors across town and country, which are good for both wildlife and people. You can support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.
London Plane
The London Plane tree is a tall, widely planted tree that can be found in parklands and by roadsides, particularly in London. It was first planted here in the 17th century and became prolific our towns in the 19th century, although it has never been found growing wild. It is a particularly popular choice for city planting because it rarely sheds its branches and is tough, putting up with the compacted soils and pollution of towns.
The London Plane tree was widely planted in urban areas, particularly London, as it is resilient to these high pressure environments. Many of the early planted trees still stand today, some being over 200 years old. The green space and plants in our towns and gardens can provide habitats for all kinds of wildlife and benefit us too. The Wildlife Trusts work with planners and local communities to encourage the inclusion of green space and planting within new building plans and protect existing areas for future enjoyment.
English Elm
Mature English Elms were once common on the rich farmed soils of middle England but are now rarely found as trees and are more common as hedgerow shrubs. This decline is a likely result of the ravaging effects of a recent wave of Dutch elm disease which has affected all the UK's elms, killing many mature trees and preventing new trees from growing. However, the English Elm's habit of propagating clones from root suckers instead of spreading by seed has brought its origin into question - it is thought to have been introduced into the UK during the Bronze Age.
During the late 20th century, our elms were devastated by outbreaks of Dutch elm disease - a lethal fungus that is spread from tree to tree by bark-beetles. Many mature trees have been lost, but elms still cling on, in part due to their ability to easily form new varieties and reproduce by both seed and sucker. The Wildlife Trusts work with researchers, scientists and other conservationists to monitor changes in our native wildlife to determine the effects of environmental issues. Support your local Trust today and help us to continue this vital work.
Wych Elm
Wych Elm is rarely found as a tree and is more common as a hedgerow shrub. This is a likely result of the ravaging effects of a recent wave of Dutch elm disease which has affected all the UK's elms, killing many mature trees and preventing new trees from growing. Mature Wych Elms can be found in woods, often alongside streams and mainly in upland areas. It is one of the few elms to spread mainly by seed, instead of propagating clones from root suckers.
During the late 20th century, our elms were devastated by outbreaks of Dutch elm disease - a lethal fungus that is spread from tree to tree by bark-beetles. Many mature trees have been lost, but elms still cling on, in part due to their ability to easily form new varieties and reproduce by both seed and sucker. The Wildlife Trusts work with researchers, scientists and other conservationists to monitor changes in our native wildlife to determine the effects of environmental issues. Support your local Trust today and help us to continue this vital work.
Holm Oak
Introduced from the Mediterranean in the 16th century, Holm Oak is a tall, evergreen tree that is widely planted. Like our native oaks, it produces acorns (on short stalks) which are dispersed by wildlife. It often survives by the coast, tolerating salt-spray from the sea, but is prone to die or lose its leaves during severe frosts. For this reason, it's more common in the south.
Although Holm Oak is not a native tree, it provides an important link in the food chain for many animals, as well as a place for shelter and nesting. The Wildlife Trusts recognise the importance of healthy habitats to support all kinds of species throughout the food chain, so look after many nature reserves for the benefit of wildlife. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from coppicing to craft-making, stockwatching to surveying.
English Oak
The English Oak is, perhaps, our most iconic tree: the one that almost every child and adult alike could draw the leaf of, or describe the fruits of. Also known as the 'Pedunculate Oak' because its acorns grow on stalks or 'peduncles', the English Oak is a common timber tree, its wood once highly prized for building ships and houses, and making furniture. Its autumnal acorns are also highly prized by both people and wildlife - the former use them for fodder for pigs and the latter often store them for the long winter ahead.
Our native tree species, such as English Oak, provide important links in the food chain for many animals, as well as areas for shelter and nesting. The Wildlife Trusts recognise the importance of healthy habitats to support all kinds of species throughout the food chain, so look after many nature reserves for the benefit of wildlife. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from coppicing to craft-making, stockwatching to surveying.
Sessile Oak
Sessile Oak is a tall tree that can mainly be found in semi-natural woodlands, especially in the north and west of the UK. It is so-named because its acorns are not held on stalks like those of the English (Pedunculate) Oak, but are attached directly to the outer twigs. It can form quite dense, single-species woodlands when left to grow, but is not as ubiquitous as the English Oak in the rest of the countryside. Sessile Oak timber is not as popular as that of English Oak, but is used for barrel- and cask-making - it gives wine and spirits a particular flavour.
Our native tree species, such as Sessile Oak, provide important links in the food chain for many animals, as well as areas for shelter and nesting. The Wildlife Trusts recognise the importance of healthy habitats to support all kinds of species throughout the food chain, so look after many nature reserves for the benefit of wildlife. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from coppicing to craft-making, stockwatching to surveying.
