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Trees woods and wildlife
Primrose
Primroses are a cheerful sign of spring. They are one of the first woodland blooms and an important nectar source for butterflies. Look out for their friendly yellow in woodland clearings.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Sweet violet
Romantic and showy, sweet violet grows on woodland edges, its flowers providing nectar for butterflies in early spring.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Pendulous sedge
Attractive, strong, damp-lover. Spot pendulous sedge swooning in damp woodland and river banks. It’s useful in a pinch, with edible seeds and strong leaves that can be made into rope and matting.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Beechwood sickener
Toxic, brittle, red-capped. Beechwood sickener is only found in beech woodland and help beech trees take up nutrients from the soil.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Fly agaric
Famous, enchanting and highly toxic. Fly agaric is the home of fairies and magical creatures and a lover of birch woodland.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Jelly ear
Velvety and a little disconcerting, the jelly ear looks just like an ear growing off decaying branches.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Morel
Highly prized and easily recognised, the morel is a favourite edible mushroom. It has a strong, nutty flavour and a pleasant, earthy smell and grows in a variety of habitats, including well-drained woodland. But beware, it is poisonous when raw.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Oak bracket
Though it oozes a honey-like liquid, the oak bracket has a few less tantalising names. It lives off the heartwood of living trees as well as on deadwood. Also known as weeping conk and warted oak polypore, they belong to a group called butt rot fungi.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Scarlet elf cup
Mystical and cheery, the scarlet elf cup grows on decaying sticks and branches in damp spots and beneath leaf litter on the woodland floor. Their bright pops of colour brighten up even the darkest winter day.
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Protecting trees and woods
Creating a robust plan to keep our trees healthy
Government’s upcoming Plant Biosecurity Strategy must put in place a bold plan to tackle the pests and diseases that threaten our native tree populations.