Alder (Gaelic fearn) likes wet ground, often seen on burn sides or river banks, but will not grow on deep peat. It has nitrogen fixing frankia bacteria in nodules on its roots. It coppices well and was traditionally used for clog making and for charcoal for gunpowder, now a useful firewood crop. Young trees and its coppice re-growth is not usually eaten by deer.

The Ash (Gaelic Uinsinn) is found throughout the Scottish woods, a large commanding tree up to 35m tall, its pale grey bark is distinctive as are the black buds in winter. Bright green leaves in summer in four or more pairs on a long stalk and bunches of winged keys in the autumn. It prefers better drained soil but won’t tolerate very dry conditions. Prefers limestone soils but will tolerate mildly acidic conditions. Fine strong timber for turnery, tool handles and furniture. A much sought after firewood.

The Downy Birch (Gaelic beithe) differs from the Silver Birch (Betula pendula) in having a less dropping or weeping form and having fine down on the leaves and small twigs. The Downy Birch is the form found in wet west coast Argyll, the Silver Birch more to the east and drier conditions. Suitable for wet sites, windfirm, frost hardy and exposure tolerant. Beautiful white bark in young trees and the buds give the tree a purple sheen in the winter/early spring. Timber used for turnery in better climates, also birch sap can be tapped and used for wine. A good firewood.

The Bird Cherry (Gaelic fhiogach) likes wetter fertile soils and often grows by riversides in thickets. A smaller more compact tree than the Wild Cherry, it is frost hardy but not exposure tolerant. White flowers in the spring, small black fruits follow which attract birds hence the common name. Very fine warm coloured timber for turning or furniture making.

The Wild Cherry or Gean (Gaelic Geanais) prefers better brown fertile soils. It is frost hardy but won’t tolerate too much exposure or salt spray. It has white flowers in the spring, and red or black small edible cherries in late summer. Very fine warm coloured timber for turning or furniture making.

Hawthorn (Gaelic Craobh Sgitheach) is a traditional hedging plant as well as an attractive and hardy small tree. Small white blooms cover the tree in May covering the thorny branches. Much loved by migrating birds for its berries or ‘Haws’ in Autumn. Can be used to make jelly and preserves. A very hardy small tree suited to a variety of conditions including exposure. Grows well from coppice cuttings and hedge laying.

The Hazel (Gaelic caltuinn or coll) is a hardy shrub which coppices excellently with high conservation value. Widespread across Scotland as a component of many types of woodland types. Often associated with Oak woods in the West Highlands and Islands on better brown soils. Widely used for coppice production of stems for hurdles, construction and crooks and sticks. The edible nuts in autumn are loved by squirrels, mice and birds; in ancient times also an important stock for people in winter months. The hazelnuts sold commercially have been bred for bigger nuts and are grown in warmer climates in the south, but are the same basic species.

Holly (Gaelic cuillinn) is a hardy evergreen tree with red winter berries on the females. A common component of other woodland types – generally on better ground among oaks. Holly tolerates extreme shade. The wood is very dense and can be worked but it can be subject to green stains. Old holly trees can be very large but they also grow back well from coppice or felling management to give very dense firewood.

Juniper (Gaelic aiteann or samh) is a hardy evergreen shrub with varying upright and prostrate forms. Female plants produce purple berries which take two years to ripen and which can be used to make gin or for cooking with game. Often associated with Scots Pine woodland, it can also be found in extreme coastal locations such as the Taynish Reserve near Tayvallich where we collect cuttings for our prostrate forms. The wood was used in the past to fuel illicit stills as it produced little smoke.

Both Oak species (Gaelic darach) are found in the West coast, also as hybrids, generally on better ground with brown mineral soils. Sessile oak is also known as English oak and Pedunculate oak is known as common oak. Both produce fine old trees of prodigious size and girth. Many of the Oak woods we have today are remnants of forests managed to produce charcoal for iron smelting which was a huge industry in the 17th and 18th century in Argyll. Both coppice freely and produce excellent timber if well grown and much sought after firewood for heating and smoking fish. They both have high conservation value, particularly for insect and bird species. Young leaves vary from orange/red to deep green as they emerge in May after the bluebells have bloomed on the forest floor beneath.

The Rowan (Gaelic caoruinn) is a small attractive woodland edge tree with high conservation value. A very hardy survivor in exposed conditions and also throughout all woodland types. Bark often stripped by deer in early spring. Berries are very important for migrating bird populations as well as indigenous birds; it can be used to make preserves to accompany game. Often associated with magic and the faeries, so seldom cut down for fear of retribution. Old trees are thus often preserved although they are not a long lived species.

The Scots Pine (Gaelic giuthas) is the native conifer to Scotland and has been growing here since the retreat of the ice 8000 years ago. It may have survived in pockets from the previous inter-glacial period as the population in Scotland appears to be different to the Scots Pine originating form Southern Europe that followed the retreating ice north. Cones are produced over two years and shed seed in early spring as the sun dries them out on the branches. Very important tree with its own distinct habitat and associated flora (eg birch, juniper, heather and blueberry) and fauna (red squirrels, Scottish Crossbills and many insect and moth species). We collect seed from the ancient trees of Blackmount Estate, Bridge of Orchy. Timber has been harvested here for hundreds of years and some of the trees are similarly hundreds of years old.

The Sloe, or Blackthorn (Gaelic droighean), is a small attractive shrub, that makes either a thicket on its own or a good hedging component with Hawthorn. A profusion of white flowers cover the bush in the early spring and the long thorns protect it from browsing by deer. The purple berries are used to make Sloe Gin. The stems of the Sloe have been used to make the rough twisted walking sticks and clubs called Sheleilaigh in Ireland.

The three main willow species (Gaelic shelloch or suil) found in Argyll woodlands are Goat, Grey and Eared willows. The Goat Willow is a larger tree form, and prefers wet sites with better soil. The Grey willow is the commonest form and is shrubby and tends to fall over and re-grow to form large thickets. The Eared willow is a smaller shrub with smaller leaves. All have very high conservation value attracting many species of insects. They all tolerate very wet ground and exposure, they are ideal to nurse less hardy trees on difficult sites. Willows have been used for basketry and making fish traps for thousands of years. They also coppice freely to produce poles and fuel. Seed spreads as the catkins fluff out in early June, each fluff carries a little green seed that germinates within 24 hours of hitting the ground. The seed can travel for hundreds of miles in the wind.

The Wych Elm (Gaelic leamhan) is a large tree with a vigorous growth habit. Wych Elms tolerate exposure, salt spray and pollution, and so far are not severely affected by Dutch Elm disease in Scotland. It produces delicate papery seeds in June which are spread by air and watercourses. The timber was once widely used and the burrs that often occur are still sought after by furniture makers.

Taynuilt Trees, Keepers Cottage, Taynuilt, Argyll, PA35 1HY
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