English plant life

My favourite examples of plant life in England

English oak

Able to grow from 20-40 m tall they have massive lifespans with some being recorded to be 800 years old, they can further increase their lifespan by actively “shrinking”. They can be identified by their 4-5 lobed leaf shape which are normally a length of 10 cm and the distribution of acorns on stalks and around the tree. They are widespread and the second most common tree in the UK and supports the highest number of species in the UK from birds and caterpillars in the summer to small mammals, insects and fungi in the autumn. This oak is now susceptible to acute oak decline a disease that is causing a drop in the oak population. It has been set no conservation status in the UK.

Sweet chestnut

Able to grow to a height of 35 m with a lifespan of roughly 700 years, they can be identified by their smooth grey-purple bark lined with vertical fissures, the twigs of the tree are a purple-brown colour with oval shaped buds that are plum red-brown in colour, the older trees may reach a diameter of 2 m. The leaves of the sweet chestnut are 16-28 cm long 5-9 cm wide with an oblong shape with a pointed tip and a serrated edge. After the pollination of the long yellow catkins turn into red-brown fruits wrapped in a green spiked case, the tree is only able to bear fruit at around 25 years old. The trees provide a valuable source of pollen for insects and a source of food for squirrels. They are widespread yet are susceptible to fungal diseases and a new arrival Chestnut blight which is causing dieback and death.