Goat Willow. A deciduous tree growing to 10m.  In spring the leafless shoots are smothered with soft, short catkins, male and female on separate trees, green and egg-shaped yellow catkins. We have this species in the WFM and also the copse behind the Butterfly Garden. The catkins form an important food source for early-season insects. Picture Ray Baker

Hazel catkins. A lovely sight in the spring. Picture Ray Baker

Hazel. An excellent tree for hedging and coppicing and we have many around the reserve. Picture Ray Baker

Alder. These trees provide important food for some small birds in the winter - particularly Goldfinches, Siskins and Redpolls - which feed on the seeds from the small purple cones. Due to its importance for the birds, this species has been planted in several areas around the reserve. Picture Ray Baker

Alder catkins and cones - a very attractive sight in late winter. Picture Ray Baker

Cornelian Cherry. The bright yellow flowers always appear before the leaves,  The succulent fruits can be used in conserves.   It can grow as high as 8m in favoured positions and favours chalky soils.   On our heavy clay it will probably only grow to be a small tree. This one is in the Quiet Garden by the pergola. Picture Ray Baker

Almond blossom. Picture Ray Baker

Gorse flowers. Picture Ray Baker

Gorse. This is an important habitat for certain birds, such as Linnet and therefore we are actively planting more clumps of gorse around the reserve. It is likely that there was far more gorse present in years gone by when much of the land now occupied by the reserve was a common. Picture Ray Baker

Almond. This one is just by the pathway between the orchard and wildflower meadow. Picture Ray Baker

Goat Willow. We have several trees around the reserve - this is the large one in the WFM. Picture Ray Baker

Silver Birch. Picture Ray Baker

Weeping Willow detail. Picture Ray Baker

Weeping Willow. Picture Ray Baker

Osmanthus burkwoodii. Picture Ray Baker

Osmanthus burkwoodii detail. The hovering insect is a Bee Fly. Picture Ray Baker

Tree Heather. Picture Ray Baker

Tree Heather detail. Picture Ray Baker

Berberis. Picture Ray Baker

Berberis detail. Picture Ray Baker

Flowering Currentribes sanguineum. Picture Ray Baker

Flowering Current detail. Picture Ray Baker

Mohonia aquifolium. A popular food plant for bees and insects, judging by the number of creatures that were on it when I took this photograph. Picture Ray Baker.

Mohonia Aquifolium detail. Picture Ray Baker