Populus Nigra; Black poplar

Common Name: Black Poplar

Latin Name: Populus Nigra

Type: Deciduous

Location: Green bank Park

Ultimate height: 30m

Located Populus Nigra height: 25-30m

Leaf Shape: Long stalked deltoid shaped leaves, finely toothed margin; shiny green in colour

Bark: Grey/brown in colour, darkens and gradually becomes deeply fissured with age

Fruit/Flowers: Male catkins pendulous and reddish in colour, female catkins greenish in colour depending on the specific tree (Dioecious). Shoots/buds are smooth and golden brown in colour.

Distribution: Native to Britain

This particular Populus Nigra is located within a large park in close proximity to a hard public footpath. It stands fairly distanced with other various vegetation types with no ground cover surrounding. The ground conditions were slightly moist. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of indicating the soil to be 

My illustration of the Populous Nigra

Larix Decidua; Larch

Common Name: Larch

Latin Name: Larix Decidua

Type: Deciduous 

Location: Highfield Park

Ultimate height: 35m

Ultimate spread: 4 – 8m

Located Larix Decidua height: 6m

Leaf Shape: Soft at touch, linear shaped and needle like. Prominent green in colour changing golden yellow prior to falling in autumn.

Bark: Thick, Pinky/brown in colour. Twigs amber/pink in colour; hairless.

Preferred soil type: Well drained sand, clay or loam.

Fruit/Flowers: Larix Decidua is monoecious; male flowers formed on underside of shoots, small and creamy yellow in colour, releasing pollen in spring. Female flowers located at the tips of shoots; pink, green or white in colour. Female flowers ripen into hollow top cones; brown in colour providing seed distribution.

Distribution: Native to Britain

This particular Larix Decidua is located alongside a human made desire line in close proximity to a small stream. Its condition was at the upmost with its bark showing no indication of disease. Amongst the tree was a woodland, home to various species with minimal ground cover surrounding. The ground conditions were moist at touch which may be due to the rain fall. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of indicating the soil to be 

My illustration of the Larix Decidua

Acer Platanoides; Maple

Common Name: Norway Maple

Latin Name: Acer Platanoides

Type: Deciduous

Location: Green bank Park

Ultimate height: 30m

Ultimate spread: 8m+

Located Acer Platanoides height: 4m

Leaf Shape: Rounded shaped leaf, almost deltoid. Bright green turning brown in spring when fallen. Smooth, roughly 15cm long with 5-7 toothed, sharply pointed lobes.

Bark: Smooth and grey in colour, sometimes slightly ridged.  

Preferred soil type: Moist but well-drained chalk, clay, sand or loam.

Fruit/Flowers: Flowers are greenish-yellow in compact clusters. Fruits paired, yellow in colour.

Distribution: Native of mainland Europe, Naturalised but also planted often in Britain and Ireland for ornamental use.  

This particular Acer Platanoides is located alongside a hard public footpath amongst various other shrubs and trees. The ground conditions were slightly moist. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of indicating the soil to be 

My illustration of the Acer Platanoides

Rosa canina; Dog rose

Common Name: Dog rose

Latin Name: Rosa Canina

Type: Deciduous or Semi-evergreen

Location: Milnthorpe, Lake district

Ultimate height: 2.5 - 3m

Ultimate spread: 1.5 – 2.5m

Located Rosa Canina height: 1m

Leaf Shape: Lanceolate 

Bark: Tough thorned stem green in colour

Preferred soil type: Moist but well drained chalk, clay, sand or loam

Fruit/Flowers: Pale pink/white flower with red ovoid shaped fruits

Distribution: Native to Britain

This particular Rosa canina shrub was located amongst a wild cluster of bramble. Running alongside the plant was a vehicle made dirt track. The ground conditions where mildly damp assumingly from the rain fall prior to finding this plant. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of 7.5 indicating the soil to be ALKALINE

pH chart (GARDENERS mate)

My illustration of the Rosa canina