Picea Abies; Norway spruce

Common Name: Norway Spruce

Latin Name: Picea Abies

Type: Evergreen

Location: Chadderton

Ultimate height: 44m

Located Picea Abies height: 10 - 12m

Leaf Shape: Stiff, short needle like linear shaped leaves.

Bark: Scaled, brownish/red in colour with resinous patches in maturity.

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

Fruit/Flowers: Small male cones yellowish in colour found in clusters amongst the tip of the shoots. Female cones narrowly oval and can grow up to 18cm in length

Distribution: European Mountains

This particular Picea Abies is located at the entrance of a small car park seemingly planted as a focal point to the park. It is fairly distanced from any other differing vegetation. In close proximity is a row of the same species of tree which appear to be of the same age, connecting this particular Picea Abies to the rest, indicating these trees to be intentionally planted in a grid like pattern as a form of decorative feature. The ground conditions were dry  and quite dense. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of 7.0 indicating the soil to be NEUTRAL

pH chart (GARDENERS mate)

My illustration of the Picea Abies

Rhododendron Ponticum

Latin Name: Rhodendron Ponticum

Type: Evergreen

Location: Fletcher Moss

Ultimate height: 5m

Located Rhodendron Ponticum height: 1m

Leaf Shape: Large linear shaped leaves, smooth at touch.

Bark: Reddish/brown in colour, flakey texture.

Preferred soil type: Acidic soils

Fruit/Flowers: Flowers being 3.5 – 5cm in diameter, violet purple in colour. Fruit being dry capsules, 1.5 – 2.5cm long.

Distribution: Europe

This particular Rhodendron Ponticum is located alongside a hard public footpath amongst various other shrubs and trees. It stands in close proximity to a man made pond. The ground conditions were moist but quite loose. 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 Rhododendron Ponticum

Prunus Laurocerasus; Cherry laurel

Common Name: Cherry laurel

Latin Name: Prunus Laurocerasus

Type: Deciduous/Evergreen

Location: Plattfield Park

Ultimate height: 8m

Ultimate spread: 8m+

Located Prunus Laurocerasus height: 2m

Overall shape: Rounded/fan shaped

Leaf Shape: Leathery at touch, oblong shaped with short pointed tip; tapered base. Up to 20cm in length and 6cm in width

Bark: Dark greyish/brown in colour, often pitted with various tentacles

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

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits round shaped, green in colour gradually turning red to blackish/purple. Fruit contents involve a smooth round shaped stone, slightly ridged margin. Flowers white in colour, generally 13cm in length.

Distribution: Native to the E Balkans

This particular Prunus Laurocerasus is located in the rear gardens of Plattfield Park central to a semi large field of turf. It stands amongst various other shrubs and trees in a mass of what seems self seeded planting. Its condition was of the upmost and looked to have sufficient nutrients for maximum growth regardless of the mass of various specie planting surrounding. The ground conditions were moist and dense. 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 Prunus Laurocerasus

Ulex europeaus; Gorse

Common Name: Gorse

Latin Name: Ulex Europeaus

Type: Evergreen

Location: Dovestones reservoir

Ultimate height: 1.5 – 2.5m

Ultimate spread: 1.5 – 2.5m

Located Ulex europeaus height: 30cm

Leaf Shape: Trifoliate linear shape leading to a pointed tip

Bark: Tough green stem

Preferred soil type: Well drained sand

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits are pod formed; hairy. Its flowers are roughly 2cm long bright yellow in colour with basal bracts 4-5mms long.

Distribution: Western Europe

This particular cluster of Gorse was of an immature age, located in close proximity to a semi large pond of water upon the peak of a mountain away from other vegetation.  The ground conditions were mainly dominated by hard rock however where able, I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of 5.0 - 5.5 indicating the soil to be ACIDIC/very ACIDIC.

Soil test result

pH chart (GARDENERS mate)

My illustration of the Ulex europeaus; Gorse