Sweet Chestnut
Sweet Chestnut was introduced into the UK by the Romans for its nuts - often ground into flour - and widely planted for its timber; but it now behaves like a native tree, particularly in the south-east of England where it spreads through many woodlands by seed. It can grow old and massive, the trunk twisting and developing fissures, and the branches collapsing but taking root and sending up new shoots. One of the largest Sweet Chestnut trees is in Gloucestershire - its trunk measures nearly 30 metres across.
Although Sweet Chestnut is not a native tree, it has become naturalised in the UK and, as such, 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.
Beech
Common Beech is one of our most iconic trees, particularly in the woodlands of the south, such as those found in the Chilterns. Here, it grows tall and broad, turning a shining golden brown in autumn as its leaves die, and littering the woodland floor with its nuts (known as 'mast'). Beech wood is used for furniture and ornaments, and, from the 18th century onwards, straight-trunked, uncoppiced trees became a more frequent site in woods and parks - ideal for timber.
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.
Hazel
Hazel is a small, shrubby tree that can be found in a variety of habitats such as woodlands, gardens and grasslands. It is famous for its long, yellow male catkins (known as 'lamb's-tails') that appear in spring, and its green, ripening to brown, fruits (known as hazel nuts) that appear in late summer. These nuts are a favourite food of Grey Squirrels, Dormice and Wood Mice, and some small mammals will cache their finds, storing them in burrows or old bird's nests.
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.
Hornbeam
Common Hornbeam is an abundant tree in southern and eastern England, but is not as familiar as other woodland species, perhaps due to its general confinement to ancient woods. Its large catkins appear in late spring and large, winged seeds can be spotted in autumn as they are dispersed by the wind. The wood of Common Hornbeam is notoriously hard and difficult to work with, hence its other common name of 'Hardbeam'.
Our native tree species, such as Common Hornbeam, 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.
Alder
Common Alder is a common tree of riversides, fens and wet woodlands. The exposed roots of riverside Common Alders provide fish with shelter from predators or high flows, and their leaves provide food for invertebrates such as the larvae of caddis flies, stoneflies and water beetles. These, in turn, are preyed upon by fish including Salmon and Brown Trout. The wood of Common Alder does not rot under water, so was historically used for shoring-up canals and riverbanks. It was also used to make charcoal and clogs!
Our native tree species, such as Common Alder, 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.
Downy Birch
Downy Birch is a small, spindly tree with thin branches and papery bark. It is found on heathland, moorland and mountainsides, as well as on damp soils. In spring, the male catkins (or 'lamb's tails') of Downy Birch turn yellow and shed their pollen which is carried by the wind to the short, green female catkins. In winter, the fertilised catkins that have hung on the tree all summer, will break up into winged seeds, ready to disperse.
The Wildlife Trusts manage many heathland and moorland habitats sympathetically for the benefit of all kinds of wildlife. We are also working closely with farmers, landowners and developers to promote wildlife-friendly practices in these areas. 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.
Silver Birch
Silver Birch is a familiar, small, spindly tree with thin branches and papery bark. It is found on heathland, moorland and mountainsides, as well as on dry, sandy soils. One of the first trees to recolonise the UK after the last glacial period, Silver Birch is an opportunistic species; its seeds are produced in huge numbers and dispersed easily by the wind.
The pioneering nature of Silver Birch can cause a problem in certain habitats, such as heathlands and fens. Here, it can grow quickly, invading the floor and shading out other, specialist plants. When this occurs on Wildlife Trust nature reserves, it is usually cleared or thinned to allow the heathland or fen to regenerate. On the other hand, Silver Birch in the right place can provide a great habitat for everything from birds to insects, so it is left to grow naturally in many areas.
Walnut
Common Walnut is a tall tree which has been widely planted in towns. It produces a large, brown nut, which we are all familiar with, but which is actually housed within a green husk.
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.
Osier
Common Osier is a small shrub willow which is particularly common in wet areas such as fens, ditches and riversides. It has also been widely cultivated and planted for its twigs which are coppiced and used in basket-making. In fact, wicker-work is very popular at the moment, and even living willows are being woven into fences, screens and sculptures.
The Wildlife Trusts keep many sustainable and traditional countryside crafts alive in order to manage their nature reserves sympathetically for wildlife and also for the enjoyment of visitors. You can help too: volunteer for The Wildlife Trusts and you could be involved in everything from basket-making to raising awareness about wetland wildlife.
Grey Willow
Grey Willow, also known as 'Common Sallow', is a large shrub willow. It is found in ditches, reedbeds, wet woodland and urban waste ground. It is one of the UK's commonest willows and is known for the fluffy, silver-grey male catkins - or 'pussy willows' - that appear in January and turn bright yellow in March.
The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of all kinds of wildlife, including trees such as willows. But these precious sites are under threat from development, drainage and climate change. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you'll find out about exciting wildlife happenings, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and be helping local wildlife along the way.
