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Identify trees on your walk by their leaves
Ever come across a tree when you're out walking and wondered what it is? All trees have clues and features that can help you identify them - you just need to know what to look for. There are more then 50 species of native tree and shrub in the UK, and lots more non-native species that have been introduced. Whether it's an impressive oak or a pretty ash, Britain's trees are a feature of our landscape. Here, HF Nature Leader Russel Hedley shares some tips for identifying some of the most frequently seen leaves on your walk, which should prevent you from barking up the wrong tree.
Russ' top tips
Often seen in streets and parkland, this tall broad-leaved tree has leaves that are often unsymmetrical and in the shape of a heart. One side of the heart is higher than the other, so easy to remember as an uneven heart.
There are two types of oak in the UK: sessile and pedunculate oak, also known as the English oak. The more common pedunculate oak has large lobes like on our ears, so think of someone very British with large lobes (Prince Charles) and you'll always be able to identify it.
Britain's only native maple can often be seen in hedgerows. Its leaves are a gentle and rounded version of the classic maple-leaf design and the olive colour fades to ochre in autumn.
This non-native species, imported from France, is now well-established and common in our woodlands. It has a leathery version of the standard maple style leaf but with a bright red stem and is set apart by its winged fruits, which spiral to the ground.
Introduced from Spain, this hybrid version of the plane tree has a bright-green maple leaf design but with longer pointier tips on the ends of the leaves. Once pollinated it develops bristly fruits.
Originally from Turkey, you can often find this tall, impressive tree in parks and gardens. Its leaves are like a hard hand with many green fingers dangling down. Look out too for flower spears from May and conkers later in the year.
One of our tallest trees, it has a leaf that has been split up into many smaller toothed ‘leaflets’ that sit opposite each other
Get a free tree ID app
Need more detail to help you identify trees when out and about? Looking to know what a wider range of species look like? No problem The Woodland Trust have a free tree ID app for Android and iOS that provides masses of information.
