type of tree in the UK?

[clapiana]

i was in the uk last week and came across a very old tree on the grounds of a 1000 year old church in whinchester

it had leaves that where the color of a maple with a backing of green. the leaf also had these weird seeds that where the size of a gum ball with prickleys all over them which where soft when touched (not sharp) .

any idea?

 

[TellicoTurning]

Sounds like a Sycamore... I think in England they're called Plane trees... many were planted by the Romans.

I'm sure a good English woodworker can correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[mikeschurer]

The most common tree in English churchyards is Yew. It was grown to make longbows from. In Tudor times it was compulsary to spend Sunday mornings on the villagegreen practising Archery, at least for the men.

Mike the Pipe
Pangbourn by the Thames

 

[Pikebite]

Sounds like a Sycamore... I think in England they're called Plane trees... many were planted by the Romans.

I'm sure a good English woodworker can correct me if I'm mistaken.

In the UK sycamore and plane trees are different trees. From the description it sound like a horse chestnut.

Did the seeds pods look like these?

 

[BradG]

going to say that sounds like our horse chestnut Conker tree!

 

[philb]

If the spike were hard sounds like a Horse Chestnut, if spikes were soft a Sweet Chestnut!!

 

[TellicoTurning]

See I told you the English woodworkers would correct me....:biggrin::biggrin:

Thanks guys.

 

[clapiana]

the leaves were maroon and the seeds were small balls with soft prickeys
it was in the city of winchester the old church in the center of town

pics below

 

[philb]

Ah!!

That's a Copper Beech!

Phil

 

[clapiana]

haha i just googled it and phil you are correct
what an amazing tree one of the targest trunks i ever saw
simply beautiful i looked at it for 10 mins i was so impressed with Gods work
i was hoping to find a broken branch but no dice and thought maybe about casting the pods but i didnt bring any back
maybe next time