Winter twig mini collection
For this mini-collection, I was tasked with going out during the winter period and collecting twigs to identify a series of trees. Winter is the most difficult time to identify a tree as the leaves, being the main method for identification, are not present. As a direction for the collection of my twigs, I decided on the location of The Oxford University Parks. The reason for this is that the park has a great amount of diverse trees (including non-native species), all in a close proximity. I think that the following identification list could act as a guide for avid walkers of The University Parks to assist with tree identification during the winter.
English Oak (Quercus robur)
Identified as Oak Quercus robur by Connor Tate on 26/01/2026. Found in South-Central Parks, University Parks, Oxford (51.76057°N, 1.25559°W). Some leaf litter on the ground surrounding the tree and a few dried leaves still intact on branches (marcescent leaves).
Bud Shape: Short, blunt, and egg shaped
Bud Colour: Light brown with scales
Bud Arrangement: Clustered at the tip of twig
Bark: Grey-brown with deep fissures
Canopy: Very broad and spreading, with twisting limbs
Wild Cherry (Prunus Avium)
Identified as Cherry Prunus Avium by Connor Tate on 26/01/2026. Found in East-Central boundary, University Parks, Oxford (51.76235°N, 1.25222°W).
Bud Shape: Sharp/pointed
Bud Colour: Deep brown, slightly reddish
Bud Arrangement: Alternate along the twig, with short cluster at the tip
Bark: Grey with horizontal lines
Canopy: Rounded and very thin at the ends
Common Pear (Pyrus Communis)
Identified as Pear Pyrus Communis by Connor Tate on 26/01/2026. Found in North Cluster, University Parks, Oxford (51.76323°N, 1.25106°W). Some leaf litter on the ground surrounding the tree.
Bud Shape: Very small and pointed
Bud Colour: Brown
Bud Arrangement: Alternate along twig, sitting on woody spurs
Bark: Brown and broken into blocks
Canopy: Dense with a complex network of many fine branches
Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
Identified as Birch Betula Pendula by Connor Tate on 26/01/2026. Found in North Cluster, University Parks, Oxford (51.76323°N, 1.25106°W). Mixed dead leaves surrounding the tree, not all belonging to the Birch however due to the close proximity of other tree species.
Bud Shape: Small, pointed, and pressed close to the twig
Bud Colour: Brown with hints of green
Bud Arrangement: Alternate across twig and somewhat sparse
Bark: Silver-white with mildly deep and jagged cracks
Canopy: Light and spaced out with a weeping shape towards the edges
London Plane (Platanus x hispanica)
Identified as Plane Platanus x hispancia by Connor Tate on 26/01/2026. Found in North Cluster, University Parks, Oxford (51.76323°N, 1.25106°W). Dead leaves surrounding the tree and bark peeled in large irregular plates.
Bud Shape: Very thick and conical
Bud Colour: Reddish brown
Bud Arrangement: Alternate along the twig
Bark: Camouflage pattern, brown, yellow, and beige
Canopy: Large given the size of the trunk
Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna)
Identified as Hazel Corylus colurna by Connor Tate on 26/01/2026. Found in North Cluster, University Parks, Oxford (51.76323°N, 1.25106°W).
Bud Shape: Plump and oval
Bud Colour: Light brown
Bud Arrangement: Alternate along twig
Bark: Mixture of tan, grey and brown with a cork type texture
Canopy: Broad and dense