34 W I N G E D S E E D S W I N G E D S E E D S 35 Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Leaves are large and five-lobed, with ornbeams are native trees found largely in south-eastern his introduced species grows in a wide dark green upper range of habitats and soil types. Sycamore sides.The seeds HEngland, with scattered trees in other parts of the country. T come in pairs, that They tolerate a wide range of soils, including sands, gravels and is an excellent coloniser and is often consid- are joined together ered a problem species as, in certain habitats, at an angle. heavy clay, but grow best on damp, fertile soils. Hornbeams including woodland, it can become the domi- produce excellent autumn colours, retaining their leaves throughout much of the winter. nant species. Large tree (5:10:25) Sycamore wood is light in colour, strong and One of the hardest and toughest woods in hard, and is used for kitchen table-tops, floor- Britain, the name hornbeam derives ing, veneers and toys. from the fact that the wood is as This species supports a limited number hard as horn. It was used for of insect species, which includes large cattle yokes, waterwheels and numbers of aphids. In consequence, butchers’ chopping blocks. The migrating warblers can often be found timber also makes excellent fire- feeding in sycamores in the autumn. The wood. tree also supports good lichen growth, Hornbeams are valu- particularly in the west of Britain. able to wildlife, pro- ducing nutlets Seed Guide: Collect the fruits from the which are eaten tree in autumn when they turn by hawfinches brown. Do not let the fruits dry and small mam- out, or they will die. Stratify mals. Over 50 the seed for one winter. species of Select and sow germinat- invertebrates ing seeds in spring. have been Alternatively, sow immedi- found feed- ately in a pot or seedbed; protect ing on this from predators and severe frost. tree. Easily confused with: Seed Guide: Hornbeam fruits Field Maple and other Maples. are a very unusual shape. Each heart-shaped fruit is attached to a leafy three-lobed structure known as a bract, which assists wind-dispersal. Collect the fruits by hand from the tree The reddish-stalked, toothed-edge after the bracts have leaves have pairs of prominent veins turned brown. Stratify (10-15 pairs).The triangular nutlets grow in clusters of eight, each with a Easily confused with: the seed, usually for one leafy three-lobed bract. winter. Select and sow ger- Beech, Wild Cherry, Bird Large tree (10:15:25) Cherry, Wych Elm. minating seeds in spring. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Year 1 Collect Stratify Year 1 Collect Stratify Year 2 Sow Grow Plant Year 2 Sow Grow Plant Year 3 Year 3.