TREES
Trees in most cases have single trunks. See shrubs index.asp?pageid=732094for all multi stemmed plants that may look like trees, but which differ in this regard.
Use the sub tabs to see a number of local trees.
Trees come with an extraordinary range of characters, not just looks and physical qualities. For this reason they are often imbued with powers and personalities that reach into folklore. No wonder that artists such as Arthur Rackham found their lives entwined with that of the spirit and faerie worlds.
This one in Heather Avenue in Alexandria is happily munching on the fence. Its been at it so long that it looks rather toothless, somewhat benign and ignored by most passersby.
So you are sitting quietly on the shore of Loch Lomond and you hear scuttling nearby. You look up only to find a large tree heading off. You shout out and it gesticulates with its fingers rather rudely.
But which way is up? Various trees manage quite well in the flooded section of Fishers Wood alongside the lade. Some are seen here reaching upwards and some reflected. It is nearly the end of winter and they patiently await the water levels to subside when they can get on with sprouting greenery anew.
FORESTRY AND LAND SCOTLAND : This is a very useful guide to the main trees of Scotland. https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees
THE WOODLAND TRUST has this guide to trees with catkins : https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2018/12/which-trees-have-catkins-and-how-to-tell-them-apart/#:~:text=After%20pollination%20by%20insects%2C%20the%20female%20catkins%20lengthen,head.%20White%20down%20makes%20willow%20catkins%20appear%20fluffy.
and identifying those with seed pods : https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2017/11/tree-seed-identification-seven-common-uk-tree-seeds/
and the A to Z of British trees : https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees
The WOODLAND TRUST also has a free tree identification app. This can be downloaded via their website here:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/how-to-identify-trees/