Trees and Shrubs

The difference between trees and shrubs is in the growth form of the stem. Trees have a single woody stem from which branches then grow to form a crown, resulting in a woody stem with a crown on top. Shrubs have multiple woody stems which arise at ground level forming a crown at a lower level.

Wiltshire has remnants of woodland around the county and these vary from oak woodlands to ash-hazel woodlands. Oak (our main species is Pedunculate Oak - Quercus robur), is probably one of the most easily recognised and well known species.

Others include Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Blackthorn, Hazel, Sycamore, Field Maple, English Elm, Horse Chestnut, Crab Apple and Holly; a slow growing tree that is evergreen. Yew trees are often associated with churchyards and are one of the longest lived tree species in the world, sometimes living for 1000 years or more.

Shrubs are most often found where a significant amount of light penetrates through the canopy above. On acid soils one of the most recognizable and commonly seen is Rhododendron. This is an introduced species which often out competes native shrubs, completely dominating the understory, leaving it devoid of any other plant life.

The Wayfaring Tree, despite its name is also a shrub along with Dogwood, Guelder-Rose, Spurge Laurel and Wild Privet.