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Trees woods and wildlife
Pear, Plymouth
Rare, charming, foul-smelling. Plymouth pear was named after where it was found in the 1800s. Its fruit feeds wildlife, and its blossom, though beautiful, has quite a smell.
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Blog
British newts: an identification guide
Learn to tell the difference between the UK's three newt species with our quick and easy identification guide.
Amy Lewis • 19 Feb 2020
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Trees woods and wildlife
Spruce, Sitka
Imposing, aged, useful. The Sitka spruce accounts for around half of commercial plantations, and though it’s not as valuable as our native trees, it shelters birds and small mammals.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Bearded tooth fungus
Tufty and beard-like, this rare and legally protected fungus has a reputation for easing dementia.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Hemlock, western
Dense and graceful, the western hemlock is a handsome tree with drooping branches of soft needles. Introduced in the 1800s, the tree casts such heavy shade that not much can live beneath it.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Candlesnuff fungus
Pallid, petite, a tumour-fighter. Candlesnuff fungi may be small but they are a medical force to be reckoned with.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Adder
Shy but full of surprises, the adder is the UK’s only venomous snake. It spends its days in woodland, soaking up the sun and swallowing its prey whole.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Slow worm
Legless lizards which are often mistaken for snakes. These sleek and subtle creatures are a common sight in UK woodland.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Poplar hawk-moth
Big, bold and full of character. An encounter with a hawk-moth is always special, and this species is the one most likely to make your acquaintance.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Chiffchaff
A dainty warbler named after its song. Chiffchaffs are increasingly taking advantage of the UK’s warming climate by staying here all year long.