Hornbeam was examined with a good crop of wind-dispersed nuts. A native of
southeast England, it lays claim to being our only truly Essex tree. Some of the larger
Hornbeams had been unsuccessfully pollarded. The hawthorns were searched for
Mistletoe. We found the Common Hawthorn with the deepest sinus between the leaf
lobes reaching more than two thirds of the way to the midrib, and the fruit containing
one stone. No Midland Hawthorn was found. The existence of common hybrids was
discussed. The oaks were the common Pedunculate Oak with short leaf stalks (< 1cm)
and long acorn stalks (2-9cms). The leaves had distinct auricles. Again hybrids exist
with the Sessile Oak making precise identification sometimes difficult. The Elder was
in fruit and the use of its twigs to make pea-shooters was noted. In the keys which I
had supplied the open nature of the bud scales is a useful character in winter. The
Blackthorn displayed its very spiny twigs, which were not always as black as its name
suggests. The crop of sloes was meagre this year on the plants we saw. The Ash was
easily recognised with its pinnate leaves and black opposite buds. In spring the
flowers are worth examining because they may be unisexual or bisexual on the same
tree. They are wind pollinated. The Sycamore acted as host to one of the few fungi
found, namely the Tar-spot fungus with its black circular areas on the leaves. The
Hazel was common with its buds typically rounded and arranged in two layers on
opposite sides of the twig. Field Maple has opposite buds with slightly hairy bud-
scales. The presence of a milky latex in the leaf stalk was demonstrated. The twigs of
Sweet Chestnut and on elm species were compared, and (the position of (the leaf scar to
one side of the bud noted in both. The unequal length of the leaf blade on the two
sides of the midrib in the elm was pointed out. The sticky nature of the young leaves
of the Alder, giving rise to its glutinous name Alnus glutinosa, was felt. The buds of
Alder are unique being found on the ends of stalks.
The problems of birch identification were pointed out. The leaves of the Silver Birch
examined showed the typical double toothing with large and small teeth, and the twigs
were rough and warty. Again hybrids can be a problem. On consulting Stace's new
flora I leamt that a way exists to place specimens correctly with a 93% certainly,
using the Atkinson Discriminant Function described in this book. The key in the BSBI
Handbook No. 4 on willows was tested and worked well with the Goat Willow and
the White Willow. Problems were encountered with a Crack Willow and on returning
I decided that Stace's key was easier to use, with its references to definite numbers of
serrations. Stace also proved more helpful than Mitchell's Field Guide when it came
to identifying larches and cedars. The ovoid cones with recurved tips to the bus scales
was typical of the hybrid between the European and Japanese Larch. The level
branches of the Cedar of Lebanon were obvious, but Mitchell's book lacks a key to
the three species of cedar, which Stace provides. A few Scots Pine were also seen
with their upper trunks glowing orange-red in the sunshine, as were one or two Horse
Chestnuts.
A number of shrubs were conspicuous especially the Guelder Rose with its glistening
red fruits. The Spindle had few of its unmistakable fruits, but its younger twigs were
square in section and green in colour. Old Man's Beard made it quite clear why it has
this common name. Its presence indicated that the clay soil was chalky boulder clay.
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 33, September 2000
21