Trees UK

Question 1

Answer 1

sycamore

The bark of young Sycamore trees is usually smooth and silvery-grey but sometimes brown. As the tree ages, the bark develops cracks, later having large peeling scales scales of 10-20cm by 5-10cm (4-8 x 2-4 in).

Question 2

Answer 2

sycamore bud

Sycamore’s buds are arranged in opposite pairs. They are egg-shaped with a pointed end, green in colour and the tips of the bud scales are brown, 0.5-1cm (0.2-0.4 in).

Question 3

Answer 3

Common Ash – Fraxinus excelsior

, Ash is a common tree. Ash can be found growing in forests, in hedges and on open hillsides. Indeed, Ash is often found at higher altitudes than most other large broadleaved trees. When Ash grows amongst other broadleaved trees it is often the tallest tree in the forest.

Ash bark is smooth grey or a pale grey-brown in young trees. In older trees the bark becomes fissured into interwoven ridges and can resemble the bark of Oak

Question 4

Answer 4

common Ash bud

The sooty-black buds of Ash, Fraxinus excelsior, are very distinctive. Notice also the upward curve to the shoot

The buds of Ash are arranged in opposite pairs, rounded except for the termial buds (the buds at the end of shoots and branches) which are more cone shaped. The key identifying feature of the buds of F. excelsior is that they are black or very dark, looking sooty. Also note how the ends of shoots curve upwards. You can spot this from a long way off, before you even see what colour the buds are

Question 5

Answer 5

Red Oak Leaves