MATCH THE LEAVES

The leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs are a delight at this time of year with their brilliant hues as the anthocyanin and carotene pigments dominate before the frosts, and chlorophyll is reduced as the days become darker and colder.

It is an enjoyable time to practise leaf identification on a late autumn walk through a wood or park. I collected this little group on a short stroll in a Worcestershire wood and garden this week. I ask youngsters most years if they can identify the trees and shrubs and they are surprisingly good at it.

Can you match the leaves to the names in this picture? Most but not all are easy, but I am sure you like a challenge and it’s something to amuse the kids. Enlarge the photo on your laptop or tablet and examine the finer detail to help you.

The following fifteen species are present. In alphabetical order they are:

Ash   Beech   Birch   Bramble   Field maple   Gingko

Hawthorn   Hazel   Liquidambar   Midland hawthorn

Pear   Pedunculate oak   Sycamore   Wild service tree   Willow

Betts Ecology work hard to keep our trees and shrubs in good condition so that, when autumn comes, the so many of our sites are a riot of colour. Do send us your photos of any spectacular autumn or early winter scenes.

 © Betts Ecology