Allotments 4 All

Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: oubykh on February 20, 2005, 13:47:12

Title: identifying trees
Post by: oubykh on February 20, 2005, 13:47:12
does anyone recommend a website for identifying trees?
just been for a walk round the local woodland and would like to know a bit more about what i'm looking at.


Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: wardy on February 20, 2005, 14:33:14
When I was little I had an "I spy" book of trees.  These are pocket sized books and have all our trees in so you can identify them as you go round.  You can still get them in the shops and from Amazon  :)

Wardy
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: Palustris on February 20, 2005, 16:48:58
Don't know of a web site but the best book we have ever found is called Trees and Shrubs of GB and Northern Europe by Jean-Dennis Godet. Mosaik Books ISBN 3576800042.  Does it through mostly full size (obviously not always) photographs of leaves etc.
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: Garden Manager on February 21, 2005, 14:05:08
Whilst on the subject of trees and ID. Can anyone think or a medium sized tree, with apple or cherry type (white) blossom, that could posibly be out around now?

I saw a tree like this in bloom in a garden recently, and wondered what it was. Any thing I could think of (cherry, crab apple, blackthorn) shouldnt be in flower for weeks yet.

Any ideas

Thanks  :)
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: Palustris on February 21, 2005, 14:29:34
Earliest of the Prunus to flower normally is Flowering Almond. The Blackthorn is out round here in sheltered places though, so it could be that.
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: Garden Manager on February 21, 2005, 14:48:16
Quote from: Palustris on February 21, 2005, 14:29:34
Earliest of the Prunus to flower normally is Flowering Almond. The Blackthorn is out round here in sheltered places though, so it could be that.

That might have been it Eric. it was a substantial tree in a garden witha cherry like habit, so could be either though i thought almonds were quite small trees?

There is also a similar sort of tree with purple leaves and pink cherry like flowers in a neighbour's garden that has just started to flower as well. What might that be?

Thanks  :)
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: aquilegia on February 21, 2005, 15:24:33
I've seen cherry trees in blossom since about December here in London. There are loads blossoming in my area now. It's all gone a bit mad, I tell you!
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 21, 2005, 15:26:25
I think that is a variety of prunus also Richard.  I used to have one, sadly left behind when we moved.  Deep red leaves, bright pink cherry like blossom.  It was a star in my garden every spring, well, for a few days before it dumped the lot all over the lawn!
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: Garden Manager on February 21, 2005, 15:28:32
Quote from: aquilegia on February 21, 2005, 15:24:33
I've seen cherry trees in blossom since about December here in London. There are loads blossoming in my area now. It's all gone a bit mad, I tell you!

Hmm I suspect that given the mild(ish) winter up to now that the tree was simply a 'normal' white flowering cherry, which had decided to flower earlier than usual. I did wonder about that.

EJ i'll see if i can get a photo of the neighbour's tree - then we can compare notes!

Its cherry city around this area. as well as the 'early' purple leaved one, the neighbours the other side have a late (may) flowering double pink (as did our garden once). There are also ornamental prunus on the green in our cul de sac!
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 21, 2005, 17:34:47
My dream trees are magnolias.  Left one behind when we moved from Kent, but it wasn't mine in the first place but one we inherited.  One day, I shall have one, oh yes.
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: Mimi on February 21, 2005, 17:36:47
Dont know if this site will be anygood for you oubykh but give it a go.


http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/trees/intro.htm

Emma, why not try a Magnolia Stellata.  Small enough to grow in an average size garden and the flowers are sweet and fragrant.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v175/mimi4555/magnoliastellata.jpg)[/img]
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: oubykh on February 22, 2005, 10:02:37
thanks Mimi, thats a really interesting site, will have to explore it more.
Title: Re: identifying trees
Post by: gavin on February 23, 2005, 19:09:34
Seconded - excellent stuff!  Thanks Mimi :)

All best - Gavin