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1. Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum
A fine broad leafed tree growing up to 40m. Native to Greece and Albania it is widespread through out Europe. Easily recognisable with large brown sticky buds in spring, large hand shaped leaves that have 5 - 7 finely toothed leaflets in summer and the production rich brown nuts or'conkers' in early autumn.
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2. London Plane Platanus hispanica
The most widely planted of the planes it is a cross between the American and Oriental planes and appeared in Britain cl650. Often planted in urban parks because of its resistance to smoke and grime. The nutlet like seed is covered in stiff hairs that can sometimes cause allergic conjunctivitis.
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3. English Oak Quercus robur
Grows 35 - 40m high to a wide crown shaped dome with stout heavy branches. Bark on mature trees is grey and fissured. Bears acorns that were valued in early English times as pig feed. Oak was historically used for warship construction on ships such as the Mary Rose and the Victory.
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4. Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum
This is one of the very few truly deciduous conifers and is native to Southern USA and Mexico. When growing in places with a high water table this cypress produces woody 'knees' or breathing roots which jut above the surface around the trunk. It is one of the last trees to, leaf out; only a green haze showing by June.
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5. Common Beech Fagus sylvatica
A bold tree, native to Europe, often referred to as the Queen of the Forest. Grows to about 40m with a huge domed crown. Produces fairly hard, strong easily worked timber often used for furniture. Beech nuts are short triangularly shaped, are edible and a source of oil.
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6. Purple Leaved Plum Prunus cerasifera
Native from Balkans through to Central Asia. Growing to 12m its natural habitat is hedgerows and field margins. Cultivated from the Myrobalan (or Cherry Plum) it is much used for garden and street planting. It has purplish-red leaves and white flowers and round red fruits.
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7. Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera
A large deciduous tree, growing to 57m, which originates from N America and E Asia. Has tulip shaped leaves, as also are its yellow-! green flowers when they first appear - hence its name. The tulip tree is an ancient variety with fossil evidence from the Tertiary geologicali period. Has easily worked timber used for cabinet making, turnery, and piano parts.
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8. Common Yew Taxus baccata
A long lived, medium sized tree with very dense, dark evergreen foliage. Likes limestone soils and is widespread in the Northern hemisphere. Widely associated with being planted in ancient churchyards. Once used for archers'longbows because of its strong, tough and unusually elastic properties.
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