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Trees woods and wildlife
Plane, London
A real city slicker, the London plane is the capital’s most common tree. As a hybrid of American sycamore and Oriental plane, it was first discovered in the 17th century then widely planted in the 18th.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Dogwood
Understated until the colder months when it bursts into colour, dogwood is a broadleaf shrub which thrives in damp woodland edges. Legend has it that the timber is so hard, it was used for crucifixes.
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Trees woods and wildlife
European larch
A spring-time show-off, European larch is a conifer full of surprises. Introduced over 400 years ago, it’s a favourite with squirrels, birds and moths alike.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Lynx
These solitary, stealthy hunters are currently extinct in the UK, but some advocates of rewilding would like to see them return.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Stoat
Fast and definitely furious. The stoat is not afraid to take on prey more than five times its size. Up trees or underground, there are few places this potent predator won’t go in search of its next meal.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Kestrel
A hovering hunter that strikes from above. The kestrel is a common sight along woodland edges, using its razor-sharp vision to catch unsuspecting prey.
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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
High brown fritillary
Incredibly rare and surprisingly swift. Britain’s most endangered butterfly can be found zooming at high speeds across woodland clearings, seeking out snug sanctuaries in bracken for their young.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Mistletoe
Romantic, parasitic and poisonous, mistletoe loves broadleaf trees and provides an important habitat for woodland wildlife. Its leathery green leaves offer welcome colour among bare winter branches when much else is dormant.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Scaly male fern
Poised, damp-loving, hardy. The scaly male fern is a tough old specimen that thrives in damp woodland, as well as on open heaths and hillsides.