Table of Contents
Definitions 1
Alder 7
Beech 8
Silver Birch 9
Hawthorn 10
Holly 11
Elder 12
Sycamore 13
Rowan 14
Hazel 15
Crab Apple 16
Ash 17
Horse Chestnut 18
Sessile Oak 19
1
Definitions
Habitat
Is the place where a plant or animal
naturally or normally lives and grows.
Toothed
A toothed leaf refers to a leaf that has
an irregularly notched margin
Simple
A simple leaf, is a leaf that is never
divided into smaller units.
2
Definitions
Lobed Leaf
Lobed leaves are leaves with a distinct
protrusion. These lobes are often
arranged on either side of the leaf.
Narrow Evergreen
Narrow evergreen leaves are needle
like. They are normally thick and have
a leathery texture. These leaves are
often found in coniferous forests.
Pinnate
A plant having leaflets arranged in a
feather like shape, with leaflets found
on either side of the stem in pairs
opposite each other.
3
Definitions
Tree
A tree is a woody perennial plant.
Trees often grow to considerable
heights and typically have a single
stem or trunk with lateral branches.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant that is often
smaller than a tree (below 10m tall).
Shrubs generally have multiple trunks
growing from the base of the plant.
4
Definitions
Coniferous
This a tree that is evergreen, these
trees will keep its leaves all year
round.
Deciduous
This is a tree or shrub that sheds its
leaves annually.
5
Definitions
Twig
A twig is a woody shoot that grows
from a branch or a stem of a shrub or
tree
\\
Bark
Bark is the outer layer of stems and
roots of woody plants. Plants that have
bark are trees, shrubs and vines
Woodland
A Woodland is an area of land that is
covered with trees.
6
Definitions
Hedgerows
A hedgerow can be defined as a line of
closely spaced woody shrubs to form a
continuous barrier.
Heath
This is a shrubland habitat. It is often
characterised with infertile acidic soils
and contains low growing woody
vegetation.
Grasslands
These are areas that are dominated by
grasses as the main form of vegetation.
7
Alder
Fearnóg
Habitat: Alder trees can be
found in damp woodlands
and by riversides.
Leaf: An alder leaf can
reach lengths of 10cm.
10 cm
Average Tree Height: An
alder tree can reach an
average height of 20m.
Twigs: An alder tree’s
twigs contain orange spots
which are raised.
Bark: An Alder’s bark is
dark brown.
Fruit: Alder Trees produce
small winged seeds as
fruits
Flowers: It will flower
between March and April.
Native to Ireland: Yes
20m
8
Beech
Feá
Habitat: Beech trees can
often be found in
woodlands. They favor
base rich to acidic soil
types.
Leaf: A Beech leaf can
reach lengths of 10cm
10 cm
Average Tree Height:
24 m
Twigs: A Beech tree has
twigs that are a purple-
brown colour.
Bark: The bark on a
Beech tree is grey and
smooth.
Fruit: Beech trees
produce nuts with spiny
casings
Flowers: The Beech tree
will flower in April-May.
Native to Ireland: No
20m
9
Silver Birch
Beigh Gheal
Habitat: Silver Birch
trees are widely found in
lake shores.
Leaf: A Silver Birch leaf
can reach lengths of 7cm
7cm
Average Tree Height:
25 m
Twigs: A Silver Birch has
twigs with raised white
glands. Often catkins can
be found at the end of the
twig.
Bark: Its bark is a
brown-red colour when
young and becomes white
once mature.
Fruit: Silver Birch Trees
will produce small winged
seeds
Flowers: The Silver Birch
tree will flower in April-
May
Native to Ireland: Yes
25m
10
Hawthorn
Sceach Gheal
Habitat: Hawthorn Trees
can be found in open
woodlands and
hedgerows.
Leaf: A Hawthorn leaf
can reach lengths of 8cm
Average Tree Height:
10 m
8cm
Twigs: A Hawthorn tree
contains twigs that are
grey and smooth, often
with small spines.
Bark: A Hawthorn’s bark
is brown/grey and
becomes fissured when
mature.
Fruit: Hawthorn Trees
produce small red berries.
Flowers: The Hawthorn
Tree will flower in May-
June and will produce
white flowers.
Native to Ireland: Yes
10 m
11
Holly
Cuileann
Habitat: Holly trees can
be found in woodlands,
rocky ground, and
hedgerows.
Leaf: A Holly leaf can
reach lengths of 8cm
8cm
Average Tree Height:
20 m
Twigs: Holly trees
contain green or grey
twigs.
Bark: A Holly tree has
smooth, grey bark.
Fruit: A Holly tree will
produce small red berries.
Flowers: A Holly tree can
flower in May-August. It
will produce small white
flowers
Native to Ireland: Yes
20m
12
Elder
Trom
Habitat: Elder trees can
be found in hedgerows,
wastelands, scrubs an
woodlands.
Leaf: An Elder leaf can
reach lengths of 8cm
Average Tree Height:
10 m
8cm
Twigs: An Elder tree has
green/grey twigs with a
white sponge like pith
inside.
Bark: Elder trees have a
grey bark which will
fissure once matured.
Fruit: Elder trees produce
small clusters of
purple/black berries.
Flowers: The Elder tree
will flower white flowers
in June-July
Native to Ireland: Yes
10m
13
Sycamore
Seicemóir
Habitat: Sycamore trees are
found in hedgerows,
woodlands and wastelands.
Sycamore Trees are often
found in urban areas.
Leaf: A Sycamore leaf can
18cm
reach lengths of 18cm
Average Tree Height: 35 m
Twigs: The Sycamore tree
contains brown/grey twigs.
Bark: A Sycamore’s bark is
grey, smooth and will scale
once mature.
Fruit: Sycamore trees
produce winged seeds
Flowers: A Sycamore tree
will flower yellow/green
flowers in April-June.
35 m
Native to Ireland: No
14
Rowan
Caorthann
Habitat: Rowan Trees are
found in hedgerows, the
sides of streams and
mountainous and rocky
areas.
Leaf: A Rowan leaf can
reach lengths of 22cm
Average Tree Height:
18 m
22cm
Twigs: Sycamore Trees
have grey-brown twigs.
Bark: Rowan tree’s bark
is grey and will scale
when mature
Fruit: Rowan Trees will
produce small red berries.
Flowers: The Rowan tree
will flower white flowers
in May-June.
Native to Ireland: Yes
18m
15
Hazel
Coll
Habitat: Hazel Trees can
be found in woodlands,
hedgerows and scrubs.
Leaf: A Hazel Leaf can 10cm
reach lengths of 10cm
Average Tree Height: 6
m
Twigs: A Hazel tree has
brown, hairy twigs.
Bark: Smooth, pale
brown bark
Fruit: Hazel Trees will
produce hazelnuts.
Flowers: The Hazel tree
will flower catkins in
February-April
Native to Ireland: Yes
6m
