Beech trees are large native trees with smooth grey bark and oval leaves. They produce triangular nuts held in woody cases in the autumn which in some years, known as mast years, can occur in vast quantities.
Trees provide more benefits the older and larger they are.
Trees support 100s of other living things. This tree provides a large benefit to insects (biomass of foliage insects).
Hawthorn is one of the most common small trees. It is a lovely, rather unkempt, tree with masses of blossom in May, and red berries - or haws - in the autumn.
- May
Trees provide more benefits the older and larger they are.
Trees support 100s of other living things. This tree provides a large benefit to insects (biomass of foliage insects).
Hornbeams are fine attractive trees that eventually become quite large, but not quite as big as beech trees.
Look out for fluted, muscular trunks and serrated oval leaves, similar to beech. Drooping clusters of winged nuts become quite conspicuous in the autumn.
Trees provide more benefits the older and larger they are.
Trees support 100s of other living things. This tree provides a medium benefit to insects (biomass of foliage insects).
Italian Alders are tall graceful trees which keep their heart-shaped, or cordate, leaves well into December or even January in some years. Their leaves won't entirely drop off until striking acid yellow male catkins appear in February. Like all Alders, it has small cones similar to many conifers.
Trees provide more benefits the older and larger they are.
One of the parents of the hybrid Common Lime, this tree has small round heart-shape leaves. It produces wood that is ideal for carving.
A cultivar maintaining a neat conical shape.
Elsewhere on Hounslow Greentalk
Check out our Tree of the Month. Create your own tree-lined walk! Let your friends know.
As the summer draws to a close, there are one or two tree species that actually start flowering.
One of these is the Japanese Pagoda Tree which comes into flower in late August and can keep going until the start of October. The trouble with this species is that it needs a warm summer to ensure good flowering, and this year, in London at least, it's been a bit disappointing. So while it's warmed up in September, it might not be enough to ensure we see many flowers this year. The best thing to do then, is make a note of where your nearest tree is, hope for a warmer summer in 2022, and come back next September!
Do you know that you can adopt a tree near you for free?
