Having two campsites that are based in beautiful woodlands makes us really appreciate the different species of tree that we’re surrounded by. Not only do they look beautiful but they also create homes and food for our woodland friends. As well as keeping the campsites looking luscious and green during the camping season. Why not go on a hunt during your stay to see if you can identify all of the different trees just by their leaves! It’s a great activity for children and adults alike and will help you find a greater love for the nature we’re surrounded by.
Find more activities for the kids here |
We’ve put together this helpful tree identification sheet for you to use whilst at the campsite or just out in a woodland. Just take a closer look at the leaves on the trees around you and see which ones you can spot!
These are just a few of the trees we have at Wild Boar Wood and Beech Estate Campsites, so don’t be alarmed if you can’t find your leaf here!
Read more about the trees we have at Wild Boar Wood |
Oak
Leaves are generally around 10cm long with 4-7 deep lobes on each side and smooth edges. The oak supports more life than any other native tree species in the UK.
Wild Cherry
Oval, green and with pointy tips and saw edged margin. These leaves are usualy around 6-15cm in length and have two red glands at the base.
Beech
These leaves are a rounded oval and pointed with slightly toothed margin, generally arounf 4-9cm long. Younger leaves are lighter in colour with small hairs on their underside. As they mature the leaves become darker and lose these hairs.
Horse Chestnut
One of the easier trees to identify due to their seeds (conkers). Identify the leaves by finding their 5–7 pointed, toothed leaflets spreading from a central stem.
Sycamore
These are very pretty large leaves generally around 8-15cm in length, with 5 distinct lobes with ragged edges.
Blackthorn
A slightly oval leaf with pointy serrated edges. Leaves are sometimes sticky above and hairy on the veins underneath. The blackthorn is most well known for the fruit it produces called sloes.
Sweet Chestnut
These are long leaves, about 16–28 cm long, with a pointed tip and a serrated edge.
Hornbeam
Oval, with pointed tips and spiky edges. Year round leaf cover makes this one of our favourites! The leaves are similar in shape to Beech trees so don’t get these confused.
Elder
A popular tree for foraging as the flower is often used in cordials and tonics and the berries can make a delicious wine. The leaves have 5–7 pairs of leaflets with sparsely serrated edges.
Hawthorn
It’s always a happy sight when this tree blooms as it is a sign that the season is changing from spring to summer. Leaves are around 6cm in length and have 5-7 deep lobes with teeth on the leaf tip.
Black Poplar
You may smell this tree before you get chance to identify its leaves as it gives off the smell of balsam. Leaves are shiny, green and heart-shaped, with long tips.
Hazel
With nuts that are loved by people and animals alike it’s hard to not love this tree. To identify it, look for leaves which are soft to the touch, oval, hairy and pointed at the tip.
Birch
These are a simple leaf that is triangular with rounded corners and a serrated margin.
Ash
One of the most common trees in the UK but currently suffering from Ash Dieback Disease, hopefully this tree will remain a top species of our countrysides. This leaf usually has 3-9 leaflet pairs that are pointed and toothed with hairs on the underside. The leaves can move in the direction of sunlight, and sometimes the whole crown of the tree may lean in the direction of the sun.
We try to encourage our campers to put down their phones for the weekend when they’re away with us. But for help identifying trees by their leaves you can download the Woodland Trusts Tree App. It’s a great tool that will help you get to grips with the different tree species you may find at our Sussex campsites.
