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Sussex Hedgerow Woody Species Identification Guide Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex Sussex Hedgerow Woody Species Identification Guide Peter Challis and Bob Platt Illustrations by Stephen Sibbald Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre A copy of this booklet may be obtained from our website: www.sxbrc.org.uk/hedgerows or from: Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre, Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9SD Tel. 01273 497553/554 www.sxbrc.org.uk 2 This guide has been produced to help volunteers taking part in the Sussex Hedgerow Inventory Project to identify the most common woody species that they are likely to encounter. Some 40 or so native woody species may be found in Sussex Hedgerows. The species you are most likely to come across will depend on the landscape and soil type in the area. We have illustrated only the 22 native species and 2 introduced species most commonly found in Sussex. We have kept the guide as simple and straightforward as possible. In addition, we have listed in an Addendum all of the remaining species listed on our survey form with brief details to aid in their identification. For copies of these survey forms please contact the Record Centre or go to our website at www.sxbrc.org.uk/hedgerowinventory. To help you narrow down the possibilities, we have provided a spot guide on page 2 which lists those species having similar features such as white flowers or winged seeds. There are several pairs or groups of species which are easily confused and the guide is designed to help you to tell the difference, so make sure that you distinguish between: ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ Elder and Ash Beech and Hornbeam Hawthorn and Midland Hawthorn, English and Sessile Oak, Unfortunately, the two Hawthorn and the two Oak species hybridise and there are also introduced species of Oak which also hybridise with the native species. The Elms are also a confusing group with species that hybridise. Even the experts find them difficult. You are most likely to encounter Wych Elm and it is sufficient for our survey that you distinguish between it and English Elm. Willows are a notoriously difficult group to identify. This booklet provides help with the 2 species you are most likely to encounter. HAVE FUN! 3 On the spot guide to Sussex Hedgerow trees and shrubs Beech, Goat Willow, Hazel, Hornbeam, English Oak, Catkins Sessile Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore, Willow In flat-topped Elder, Guelder Rose, Wayfaring Tree bunches White Not in flatBlackthorn, Crab Apple, Dogwood, Hawthorn and Flowers topped Midland Hawthorn (occasionally pink), Holly, Privet, bunches Wild Cherry, Pink, or white flushed Crab Apple, Hawthorn and Midland Hawthorn pink flowers (occasionally), Roses Greenish-white fls. Dogwood, Spindle Cherry, Yew, Hawthorn, Midland Hawthorn, Guelder Red Rose, Holly, Roses Fruits Black Privet, Dogwood, Elder, Wayfaring Tree Purple Blackthorn (sloes) Pink Spindle Long and Ash, Hornbeam, narrow Winged Seeds In pairs Field Maple, Sycamore Round Elm, Wych Elm Acorns English Oak, Sessile Oak Thorns and spines Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Midland Hawthorn, Rose Leaves 1a. Present all year round 1b. Deciduous Box, Holly, Privet (semi), Yew Go to 2 2a. Leaves pinnate (paired leaflets): 2b. Leaves simple Ash, Elder Go to 3 3a. Leaves opposite or almost so 3b. Leaves alternate Go to 4 Go to 5 4a. Leaves lobed 4b. Leaves not lobed Field Maple, Guelder Rose, Sycamore Box, Dogwood, Spindle, Wayfaring Tree, Wild Privet, 5a. Leaves lobed 5b. Leaves not lobed Hawthorns, Oaks Beech, Blackthorn, Crab Apple, Goat Willow, Hazel, Holly, Hornbeam, Sweet Chestnut, Wild Cherry, Wych Elm (all toothed except Beech) 4 Yew Taxus baccata More likely on chalk soils. Shade tolerant. Twigs Green Bark and trunk Smooth, scaly, light brown, flakes to reddish pattern Leaves Evergreen needles, dark green above, light green below. Short stalks Flowers March-April. Male and female on separate trees. Male small and yellow, female green and inconspicuous Fruit Bright red fleshy outer partially covering single seed 5 English Elm Ulmus procera Wych Elm Ulmus glabra ‘lop-sided’ leaves Wych elm Leaves and seeds There are several species of Elms and many hybrids making them a confusing group. Try to distinguish between Wych Elm and English Elm. Most English Elm has died but new shoots from stools and suckers are becoming more frequently found. Twigs Stout and downy, red/brown. Rounded, alternate buds Bark and trunk Long fissures. English Elm suckers freely, Wych Elm does not Leaves Simple, oval, lop-sided leaves, double-toothed with distinct veins. Wych Elm leaves larger, (about 15cm) than English Elm (about 7.5cm). Wych Elm leaf has a shorter stalk, often covered by the base of the leaf. English Elm has longer, hairy stalks. Wych Elm leaves have pointed tip and are very rough, English Elm have more rounded tip. Flowers Fruit February-March, before leaves, high in trees as purplish-red tufts Seed with two wings forming a flat disc. English Elm seed smaller than Wych Elm and closer to notched end 6 Hazel Corylus avellana Leaves oval/round with drawn tip ‘Lambstail’ catkins Twigs Hairy with alternate green buds and reddish glandular hairs Bark and trunk Light brown, scaly with pores Leaves Alternate, hairy, broadly oval/round with drawn tip and toothed edge. Soft to the touch Flowers January-March. Male flowers are ‘lambstail’ catkins. Female like buds with red styles. Both out before leaves Fruit Hazel (cob) nuts 7 Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Compare with Beech Doubletoothed edges 10-15 pairs of parallel veins Reddish stalks Prefers sandy loamy clays Thin brown with alternate slender buds causing zig-zag shape, but buds closer to stem than Beech Bark and trunk Smooth grey with metallic blue striations. Bole deeply fluted Leaves Alternate, oval, pointed, dull with double toothed edges and reddish stalks. 7-15 pairs of prominent parallel veins. Dried, lightTwigs Flowers Fruit brown leaves may over-winter in situ. April-May. Male flowers drooping catkins. Female flowers with red styles Triangular ribbed nutlets with 3-lobed wings 8 Beech Fagus sylvatica Compare with Hornbeam Twigs More common on well-drained chalk/sandy loam. Purple/brown, slightly hairy. Buds slender, sharp pointed with reddish/brown scales alternate on twigs giving zig-zag appearance. Bark and trunk Grey, remaining smooth in old age Leaves Flowers Fruit Hairy, stalked, oval, pointed, smooth and shiny toothless edges. Prominent, silky/hairy veins underneath - 5/9 pairs parallel veins. Dried, light-brown leaves may over-winter in situ. April-May. Male small rounded catkins, female small green with red stamens September-October. Tough 4-valved husk with 2/3 triangular nutlets. Common in ‘mast years’ 9 English Oak Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak) Compare with Sessile Oak Acorns on long stalks Common on heavy clays and loams. Susceptible to mildew. Often hybridises with Sessile Oak. Twigs Straight, grey/brown with buds arranged spirally and clustered at tip Bark and trunk Smooth and shiny when young, becoming fissured Leaves 5-12cm. Almost stalkless with ‘ears’ at base and 3/5 lobes, often unequal on each side Flowers April-May. Male flowers in slim catkins. Inconspicuous female flowers at tips of shoots Fruit September-October. Acorns on long stalks, often in pairs 10 Sessile Oak Quercus petraea Compare with English Oak More likely to be found on acid soils. Hybridises with English Oak Twigs Straight with buds arranged spirally and clustered at tip Bark and trunk Smooth and shiny when young, becoming fissured Leaves Wedge-shaped leaf bases without ‘ears’ and with distinct stalks. 4-6 lobes on each side – more regular than pedunculate oak. Large hairs on mid rib and main veins below. Flowers May. Male flowers are catkins like English Oak, but female flowers have no stalks Fruit September. Acorns, lack stalks and stubbier than English Oak 11 Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Usually a tree, rarely in shrub form Stout, angular ridged. Buds large, plump, pinkish brown Twigs Bark and trunk Dark brown/grey. Network of ribs forming spiral pattern with age Leaves Large, 10-25cm. Alternate, long-oval, coarsely toothed, glossy Flowers Fruit green above Late (July), long catkins either all male, yellow, or mostly male with a few female flowers at base October. Chestnuts. Husk of 4 spiny bracts with 2/3 shiny brown fruits 12 Goat Willow Salix caprea (Pussy Willow, Great Sallow) Hybridises readily. Twigs Rather brittle, alternate buds hug the twig Bark and trunk Smooth, grey, fissured at base Leaves Alternate, thick, leathery, oval, with a short, twisted point, dark grey-green on top, grey downy below; hairy stalk Flowers March-April. Male catkins (‘palm’) grey at first turning yellow. Female greenish-white. On separate trees. Out before leaves Fruit Clusters of green capsules release seeds turning woolly white 13 Willow Salix cinerea. Grey willow Male flowers Female flowers Twigs Leaves Flowers Fruit Many species, subspecies and hybrids. S. cinerea prefers wet conditions. Long, slender Long, slender toothed leaves, green above, grey-silver below. May-June. Male and female catkins Hairy seeds. 14 Rose, Wild Rose, Dog Rose Rosa canina You may find other rose species, sub species and hybrids Twigs Twigs bear sharp, backward curving thorns Bark and trunk Green in new growth, brown in old growth Leaves Pinnate Flowers June-July. White to pink Fruit Red “hips" 15 Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Suckers readily Downy when young. Hard, sharp spines. Dark brown Twigs Bark and trunk Shows orange when scraped Leaves Small, alternate, long-oval toothed. Hairy on veins beneath Flowers March-April. White flowers appear before leaves Fruit September-October. ‘Sloes’ blue-black with a grey bloom 16 Wild Cherry Twigs Bark and trunk Leaves Flowers Fruit Prunus avium (Gean) Suckers freely – often on lime rich soils Buds alternate with oval, red-brown, well-defined scales Purplish-brown bark peels in horizontal stripes. Pronounced pores Elliptical, serrated edges, taper to a point - thin and droopy, dull, light green; red/orange in autumn. Long, grooved stalk with two glands. April. White flowers in clusters of about 4 (2-6) on older wood Small cherry with single stone turns green - red - black 17 Hawthorn (Common) Crataegus monogyna Compare with Midland Hawthorn with which it hybridises Deeply divided leaves Twigs Bark and trunk Leaves Flowers Fruit Found on most soils. Spiny, alternate buds Greyish-brown with many small scales Alternate, divided more than half way to midrib. Paired stipules at base April-June. White, rarely pink, with sickly-sweet scent. Out with leaves. Usually has single style Red, fleshy usually with single seed 18 Midland Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata Compare with Hawthorn Leaves lobed less than half way to midrib Found mostly on clay. Shade tolerant. Ancient woodland indicator species. Twigs Spiny, alternate buds Bark and trunk Greyish brown with small scales. Fluted bole Leaves Alternate, more rounded and lobed less than half way to midrib Flowers May-June. White, rarely pink. Out with leaves. Usually with double style Fruit Rounder and redder than Hawthorn usually with 2 seeds 19 Crab Apple Twigs Bark and trunk Leaves Flowers Fruit Malus sylvestris Ribbed, reddish/brown; many short shoots. Pointed, purple, hairy bud Grey/brown; irregularly scaly Alternate, toothed, oval, pointed May. White, pink-flushed 5-petalled Crab apple; turning yellow - green - red 20 Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Veins curve towards leaf tip Prefers chalk Twigs Purplish red. Opposite red/brown buds pressed into twig Bark and trunk Ridged. Foetid when bruised Leaves Dark green, opposite, hairy, pointed, untoothed; veins curved towards tip. Purple-red in autumn Flowers May-July. Umbel of greenish-white flowers. Unpleasant smell Fruit Clusters of round berries turning green - black 21 Holly Ilex aquifolium Upper leaves on old trees may not be spiny Twigs Bark and trunk Leaves Flowers Fruit Found on all but wet soils. Shade tolerant Green when young, buds ovoid Green when young, Smooth and grey later Evergreen, usually with spines (but upper leaves and leaves on old trees may have smooth edges), tough and leathery, shiny, dark above, pale below May-August. Small white petals with purple tips. Scented. Separate male and female trees. Red berries all winter on female trees 22 Spindle Euonymous europaeus Fruits pink with orange seeds Twigs Bark and trunk Leaves Flowers Fruit More common on chalk soils Green, ovoid, 4-angled. Buds in opposite pairs Smooth, greenish, turning grey Opposite, long-oval, pointed, finely toothed. Reddish in autumn. May-June. In clusters from leaf axils. Greenish white petals. Open with leaves September-October. 4-lobed turning bright coral pink. Split to show bright orange seeds 23 Box Buxus sempervirens Twigs Bark and trunk Leaves Flowers Fruit More common on chalk soils Green, angled, densely downy Light brown, turning grey with age Evergreen, opposite, oval, tough, shiny, dark green above, pale below, almost stalkless April-May. Greenish yellow, male and female in clusters Blue green seed capsules with 3 horns 24 Field Maple Acer campestre Compare with Sycamore overleaf Prefers base soils. Twigs Slender, downy, straight with very small, brown buds in opposite Bark and trunk Leaves Grey brown, rough textured and fissured Flowers Fruit pairs 3-5 lobes with rounded tips. Dull green above; paler below with hairs on veins May-June. Greenish-yellow male and female flowers on same tree August-September. Paired seeds with wings almost in a straight line 25 Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Compare with Field Maple see previous page Twigs Bark and trunk Leaves Flowers Fruit Sturdy, buds opposite, plump with green scales. Grey and hairless Grey, initially smooth, then fissured. Ages to pinkish brown Opposite, 3 main lobes and 2 small ones. Often with black spots of tar fungus. Long, often reddish stalk. April-June. Pendant flower clusters greenish yellow, male at base, female in middle, sterile at tip. Appear with leaves September-October. Paired winged seeds with wings at more acute angle than Field Maple 26 Ash Fraxinus excelsior Typically 7-15 leaflets Winged seeds Fast growing. More common on damp, base-rich soils. Out grows other hedgerow species Twigs Smooth grey, large black buds in opposite pairs Bark and trunk Pale grey-green, smooth at first becoming ridged and furrowed with age Leaves Divided into 7-15 leaflets. Opposite, toothed, Flowers April-May. Before leaves, No sepals or petals, purple stamens. Male, female or hermaphrodite on same or separate trees Fruit August-October. Clusters of single seeds with long slender wings or ‘keys’ often last through winter 27 Privet Ligustrum vulgare Likes chalk Twigs Slender, grey/brown and densely hairy. Oval, brown buds. Bark and trunk Smooth Leaves Semi-evergreen, opposite, elliptical. Prominent mid-rib below. Smooth edged. Short stalks Flowers June-July. In panicles at tip of shoot, tiny, white and scented Fruit September-October. Shiny berries turning green to black 28 Elder Sambucus nigra Prefers nitrogen-rich soils, e.g. abandoned settlements, badger setts and rabbit warrens. Twigs Stout, greyish, easily snapped Bark and trunk Light brown, deeply fissured and corky Leaves 5-7 pinnate. Ovate, toothed. Offensive smell when crushed Flowers June-July. Umbel-like, white, strong, sickly sweet smell Fruit August-September. Flat bunches of berries turning green - red - black 29 Guelder Rose Viburnum opulus. Compare Wayfaring Tree Twigs Leaves Flowers Fruit Grey, hairless, angled with scaly buds Opposite with 3-5 irregular lobes, flat at base, sharply toothed, smooth on top, hairy below. Turn red in autumn June-July Flat umbel with small fertile florets in the middle, bigger, showy, infertile florets at edge. White. Out with leaves September-October. Round berries, red and shiny 30 Wayfaring Tree Viburnum lantana Compare with Guelder Rose Twigs Bark and trunk Leaves Flowers Fruit More common on calcareous soils. Pale grey/brown, downy. Buds lack scales Pale brown becoming fissured. Opposite pairs, oval, finely toothed, sparsely hairy on top, densely downy below and on stalks; feel rough. Red/purple in autumn May-June. White, in umbels. Florets all the same and fertile (not like Guelder Rose) July-October. Oval berries, red at first, turning black 31 Addendum Tree List Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Needle leaves. Bark on upper trunk bright reddish brown or orange. Lower bark dark brown, deeply fissured. Cones 3-7cm. Common Juniper Juniperus communis Evergreen with needle leaves. Yellow male and green female flowers on separate trees in leaf axils. Berries green in first year, dark purple in second. Barberry Berberis vulgaris Spiny shrub with pendant bunches of yellow flowers. Deciduous or semievergreen. Red berries. Walnut Juglans regia Leaves normally have 7 leaflets, largest at tip, smallest at stalk end. Aromatic when crushed, juice stains fingers. Catkins open mid May. Fruits September to October. Alder Alnus glutinosa Stalked side buds. Trunk sprouts small shoots. Leaves alternate, rounded, no point, often notched at tip. Male long pendant catkins. Female club-shaped. ‘False cone’ green at first, turning hard and brown. Prefers wet ground Birch, Silver Betula pendula Birch, Downy Betula pubescens Hybrids occur Silver Birch leaf has straight base and ragged teeth. Prefers light dry soils. Downy Birch has a triangular leaf base and even-sized teeth. Prefers wetter soils. Both have catkins in April and fruits remain on the tree through the winter. Hybrid Limes Tilia x sp Lime, Broad-leaved Tilia platyphyllos Lime, Small-leaved T. cordata Several species and hybrids. Heart-shaped leaves. Broad-leaved <15cm and hairy all over. Small-leaved 47.5cm.and not hairy below except for tufts in vein axils. Sweet smelling flowers in clusters hanging on stalk from centre of long bracts. Fruits in small clusters on stalks hanging from centre of leaf-like bract. Aspen Populus tremula Silver bark, marked with black diamonds. Leaves rounded with wavy edges and flattened stalks, tremble in slightest breeze giving ‘shimmering’ 32 appearance. Male and Female catkins on separate trees in March. Woolly seeds in May Osier Salix viminialis Very long, narrow toothless leaves with margins rolled inwards. Green on top, silvery hairs below. Male and female catkins on separate twigs before leaves. Black Poplar Populus niger Alternate leaves with a long point and flattened stem. Catkins in March and fluffy seeds in May. Deeply fissured bark with burrs. Grey Poplar Populus canescens Broad oval, rounded, coarsely toothed leaves, grey downy below. Lower trunk black, upper trunk whitish. Flowers February-March. Fruits May-June. Suckers readily. Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa Spines at leaf bases Rowan Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash) Compound leaves with toothed leaflets. White flowers in flat-topped clusters May-June. Red berries, September Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster + spiny shrub. Broadly oval leaves. Fruits 1.5-4cm, yellow to reddish or dark brown. Whitebeam Sorbus aria agg. Many subspecies and hybrids Leaves alternate, white-felted underneath. Creamy-white scented flowers in May-June in large clusters. Berries green - bright scarlet in September Wild Service Tree Sorbus torminalis Leaves lobed with bottom lobes at right angles to leaf stalk. Creamy-white flowers in May-June. Fruits in clusters turning brown with speckles. Broom Cytisus scoparius Spineless shrub with long, green, straight, 5-angled stems. Yellow flowers, May-June. Hairy, black pods. 33 Common Gorse Ulex europaeus Dwarf Gorse U. minor Evergreen shrubs with yellow flowers and spines instead of normal leaves. Common Gorse has deeply grooved spines. Dwarf Gorse less so, smaller and + prostrate, with diverging calyx teeth and straight wing petals, shorter than keel. Sea Buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides Long, narrow short stalked leaves with silvery scales on underside on spiny twigs. Small green flowers March to April. Orange fruits stay all winter. Mezereon Daphne mezereon Long, narrow leaves. Strongly scented pink flowers in February-April. Red fruit Spurge-laurel Daphne laureola Small shrub with leathery, evergreen, long, narrow leaves in bunches at tops of stems. Green flowers in clusters in February-March. Black berries. Deep shade species. Buckthorn Rhamnus catharticus (Purging Buckthorn) Usually has thorns. Leaves opposite, fine-toothed with side veins curving up towards the tip. Small yellowish-green flowers, May-June. Round black berries, August-October. Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus Shiny untoothed leaves with parallel veins, not curved towards tip. Tiny greenish flowers at bases of leaves, May-June. Berries turn green - red purple. Butcher’s Broom Ruscus aculeatus Tough, oval, evergreen, spine-tipped ‘leaves’. Tiny greenish-white flowers on upper sides of ‘leaves’, January to April. Red berries October to May. 34 Index Guelder Rose .............. 30 A Alder .......................... 32 Apple, Crab ................. 20 Ash ............................ 27 Aspen ......................... 32 B Barberry ..................... 32 Beech ........................... 9 Birch Downy ..................... 32 Silver ....................... 32 Blackthorn .................. 16 Box ............................ 24 Broom ........................ 33 Butcher's.................. 34 Buckthorn Alder........................ 34 Purging .................... 34 Sea.......................... 34 C Cherry, Wild ................ 16 Chestnut, Sweet .......... 12 D Dogwood .................... 21 E Elder .......................... 29 Elm English....................... 6 Wych ......................... 6 G Goosebery .................. 33 Gorse Common .................. 34 Dwarf ...................... 34 R H Hawthorn Common.................. 18 Midland ................... 19 Hazel............................ 7 Holly .......................... 22 Hornbeam .................... 8 J Juniper, Common ........ 32 L Laurel, Spurge ............ 34 Lime Broad-leaved............ 32 Hybrid ..................... 32 Small-leaved ............ 32 M Rose Dog..........................15 Wild .........................15 Rowan ........................33 S Sallow, Great ...............13 Scots Pine ...................32 Service Tree, Wild ........33 Spindle........................23 Sweet Chestnut ...........12 Sycamore ....................26 W Walnut ........................32 Wayfaring Tree............31 Whitebeam..................33 Willow................... 13, 14 Goat.........................13 Pussy .......................13 Maple, Field ................ 25 Mezereon ................... 34 Y O Yew ..............................5 Oak English .................... 10 Pedunculate ............. 10 Sessile ..................... 11 Osier .......................... 33 P Pear, Wild................... 33 Poplar Black ....................... 33 Grey ........................ 33 Privet ......................... 28 35