Height20-40cm

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Rare native deciduous tree (ancient woodland indicator). Attractive maple-like leaves with strong coppery-red/purple autumn colour; white spring flowers for pollinators; speckled brown “chequers” fruits for birds and mammals.

High wildlife value, pollution-tolerant, and produces valuable timber on good sites. Suited to mixed woodlands, wildlife gardens, parks, or native hedges.

Key planting points

• Site: Full sun to light/partial shade; prefers sheltered positions (not highly exposed or frost pockets). Lowland sites preferred.
• Soil: Deep, fertile, moist but well-drained; thrives on clay, calcareous/limestone, loam or chalk. Tolerates a range of pH (acid to alkaline) and some drought once established; avoid permanently waterlogged, very dry sandy or nutritionally poor soils.
• Size: Typically 8–15 m tall (occasionally up to 25 m) with 4–10 m spread; medium growth rate, matures in 20–50 years.
• Planting time: Bare-root trees November–March
• Method: Plant in mixed woodland groups or as individuals. Protect young trees from browsing. Water in dry periods until established; minimal pruning needed (formative pruning in late winter/early spring if required). 
• Hardiness: Fully hardy across most of the UK.

Best results come from fertile, well-structured soils with good light.

Photo credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)