Identifying winter twigs

Buds on most twigs are arranged alternately along the stem. Some, for example maples, sycamore, horse chestnut and ash, are arranged in opposite pairs.

Twigs with opposite buds: Sycamore, Maples, Horse Chestnut & Ash

Twigs with alternate buds: Beech, Hornbeam, Hybrid Lime, Oaks, Hazel Hawthorn, Birch, Willows, Poplars, Elm

The colour of buds is another clue to identification of twigs in winter. They may be:

• Grey, grey-brown or black: Ash,

• Brown Oaks, Horse Chestnut, Beech, Hornbeam

• Red or orange-brown: Lime

• Green or green-brown: Sycamore, Hazel

The colour of the buds is due to the scales protecting the developing bud and may change in spring when the dormant phase comes to an end. There is also some overlap between the categories.

Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

Recognised by the black angular buds in opposite pairs along a smooth stem

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)

Recognised by the green buds in opposite pairs along a smooth stem

Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Recognised by the large brown sticky buds in opposite pairs along a smooth stem. Below each bud is a large horse-shoe shaped leaf scar, hence the common name.

Hybrid lime (Tilia x europaea)

Recognised by the reddish buds with only two scales alternating along a smooth stem. When the tree bole is damaged, dormant buds under the bark start to grow as a brushwood.

English or pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)

Recognised by alternating buds, but especially by a cluster of brown buds at the tip of the twig instead of a single terminal bud. There are no bristles between the buds in the two native oaks.

Turkey oak (Quercus cerris)

Recognised by alternating buds, but especially by a cluster of brown buds at the tip of the twig instead of a single terminal bud. There are bristles between the buds

Hazel (Corylus avellana)

Recognised by medium alternating green buds and a smooth stem. Catkins start to form in autumn

Alder (Alnus glutinosa)

Recognised by alternating buds, but particularly by maroon male catkins and woody remnants of the previous year’s cones.

Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Recognised by large brown pointed alternating cigar-shaped buds on a smooth stem

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

Recognised by small brown alternating buds on a thorny stem

Silver birch (Betula pendula)

Recognised by small green alternating buds on a slender smooth stem

Sallow or goat-willow (Salix caprea)

Recognised by pointed orange-brown small alternating buds pressed to the stem Grey male buds (pussy willow) appear in early spring

Poplars (Populus spp.)

Recognised by pointed orange-brown alternating buds pressed to the stem. The flower buds are larger and stand out. Mature male catkins are large and when they drop off they resemble red caterpillars. Most cultivated poplars are hybrids. They are related to willows.

Elms (Ulmus spp.)

Recognised by small brown alternating buds.Older twigs are thickened and furrowed

Elder (Sambucus niger)

A low-growing bush of hedgerow and understorey. It is the first to break bud early in the year but the leaves do not expand until later. The stems are distinctive for the raised pores called lenticels with loose material for breathing.

The trunks and bark of winter trees offer further clues to identification. Beech, young ash, and sycamore have a smooth bark. Mature sycamore has a flaking bark while silver birch has a white peeling bark above and a furrowed bark at the base. Oaks and mature ash have furrowed barks.

Using the Field Studies Council publications web site I have found an AIDGAP colour booklet Winter trees a photographic guide to common trees and shrubs at £8.50 Also a key to winter twigs in Reader’s Digest Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Britain (1995).

King’s Pond, Alton

From the car park follow the path right around the pond edge and look for: Ash, Alder, Hawthorn, Sycamore, Horse Chestnut, Crack Willow (by the weir), more Alder in the corner, Hazel by the railway side and return along the top path looking for Elm, Elder, Horse Chestnut, Beech and along the pavement towards the car park for Hybrid Lime and Turkey Oak.

Go along paper Mill Lane for trees in the verge – Silver Birch, English Oak and Hornbeam

Covid-19 restrictions look like continuing until the buds burst, hence this field meeting planned is a DIY with the enclosed sheet of instructions.

June Chatfield

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