A fairly small native tree, rarely growing above 20m. It prefers light soils and can grow in acid conditions – so can be found growing from Scottish mountains to Dorset heathlands. The leaves are made up of leaflets growing in opposite pairs (‘pinnate’ leaves), with serrated edges that look superficially like an ash (hence another common name – ‘Mountain Ash’). It has creamy white clusters of flowers in spring and bunches of red berries in autumn that many birds love. A very popular tree for gardens and parks.
