Information: Mein Baum
Sorbus ariaHeight: up to 15 mTrunk: smooth, grey bark, later blackish-grey with long fissuresCrown: dense, rounded to ovoidLeaves: alternate, oblong-oval, 6–9 cm long, base conical, leathery, margin unevenly double-serrated, upper surface dark green, initially hairy, lower surface silvery-hairy, short-stalkedFlowers: creamy white, umbel-like inflorescences, sweet scent, in May/JuneFruits/Seeds: mealy, orange-red, spherical fruits, up to approx. 1 cm, in clusters, in July/AugustOther: heat- and...
CupressaceaeHeight: up to 30 m depending on speciesTrunk: fibrous, thin bark, clearly longitudinally fissured with age, peeling off in stripsCrown: usually dense, conical to columnarLeaves: scale-like, usually small, very denseFruits/seeds: small, spherical to ovoid cones, woody, initially compact, later gapingOther: Very tolerant to pruning, therefore also found as a hedge or topiary Photos: Janina Deutschmann (1,2,4), Martina Gehret (3,5)
Taxus baccataHeight: up to 15 mTrunk: initially smooth and reddish-brown bark; with age, it develops into a scaly bark that peels off in broad, thin plates; branches from the base; usually a small tree or shrubLeaves: needles arranged in a spiral, often forked on lateral branches, soft needles with a midrib on the undersideFruits/Seeds: berry-like seed coat (aril), bright scarlet, slightly frostedOther: tolerates pruning very well, therefore also found as a hedge or...
Pinus sylvestrisHeight: up to 30 mTrunk: often slightly crooked or twisted trunk, bark initially reddish, later dark brown, scaly bark (mirror bark), rich in resinCrown: initially conical, later mostly umbrella-shaped, branches horizontal to slightly uprightLeaves: 2 needles per needle sheath, 3–7 cm long, 1.5–2 mm thick, stiff, usually twisted, blue-green to grey-greenFlowers: yellow to orange male flowers in dense clusters on young shoots, reddish female flowersFruits/Seeds: egg- to...
Pinus strobus
Height: up to 30 m
Trunk: long smooth bark, shiny grey-green, late bark formation, longitudinally fissured scaly bark
Crown: loosely conical
Leaves: 5 needles per sheath, 7-12 cm long, very thin, soft, flexible
Fruits/seeds: narrowly cylindrical cones, up to 20 cm long, usually curved
Pinus nigraHeight: up to 30 mTrunk: brownish-grey and scaly bark when young; with age, large-scale barkCrown: initially conical, later broader and more open, branches horizontal to slightly uprightLeaves: 2 needles in a sheath, 8–16 cm long, stiff, straight or curved, sometimes twisted, dark greenFlowers: yellow to orange male flowers in clusters on young shoots, reddish female flowersFruits/Seeds: egg-shaped to elongated, approx. 4–10 cm long, up to 3 cm thick cones with thick scales...
Pinus spp.Height: up to 30 m depending on the species, with some reaching up to 50 mTrunk: varied trunk, initially thin, grey to yellowish bark, later thick and rough, deeply furrowed, longitudinally fissured and scaly, rich in resinCrown: conical, later usually open, widely spreading, branches horizontal to slightly uprightLeaves: 2–5 needles per needle sheath on short shoots, very thin, pointed, approx. 4–15 cm long, often slightly twistedFlowers: yellow to orange male flowers in...
Larix spp.Height: up to 40 mTrunk: straight trunk, reddish to grey-brown; with age, thick, deeply fissured, and deeply furrowed scaly barkCrown: initially narrow conical, later more open, branches horizontal to slightly ascendingLeaves: blunt, soft needles 1–3 cm long, thin, keeled, in clusters of 15–50 on short shoots, light green when emerging, later darker, with two rows of stomata on the undersideFlowers: rounded, yellow male flowers; purple, upright female flowers in the upper...
Picea abiesHeight: up to 40 mTrunk: very straight, brown-red to grey-brown, scaly when matureCrown: initially regular and conical, often irregular with age, with a flattened apex, hanging branchesLeaves: densely arranged in a spiral, approx. 1–2 cm long, square-shaped, pointed and prickly needles, dark green, with a fine stomatal band on all sidesFlowers: initially reddish, then yellow male flowers distributed throughout the crown; chimney-red to purplish-red, erect female flowers only...
Abies spp.Height: up to 40 mTrunk: very straight trunk, light grey bark, smooth with distinct lenticels, becoming coarsely fissured and scaly with ageCrown: dense and regular, initially conical, flattening with age, branches horizontal, upright in the crown regionLeaves: soft, flat needles, approx. 2–3 cm long, usually blunt and spirally arranged, often parted, underside with two very distinct white stomatal bandsBuds: roundish to egg-shaped, usually resinous and stickyFlowers: small...
Ailanthus altissimaHeight: up to 25 m, fast-growingTrunk: often multi-stemmed, upright, smooth, grey-brown, slightly fissured barkCrown: broad, spreadingLeaves: alternate, odd-pinnate, petiolate leaves, 40–90 cm long, leaflets with marginal glands (nectaries)Flowers: green, inconspicuous, panicle-shaped inflorescences, June to August, rich in nectar, valuable for pollinatorsFruits/Seeds: yellowish-red nuts, broadly winged (dispersed by wind), often remain on the tree for a long...
Crataegus spp.Height: up to 10 m, depending on the speciesTrunk: shrub-like, multi-stemmed, or small tree, often densely branched, smooth bark, green-brown to dark brown, fissured with age, thorn-covered branchesCrown: irregular, densely branchedLeaves: alternate, usually 5- to 9-lobed, deeply incised, lobes toothed at the tip, with stipulesBuds: small, egg-shaped to spherical, glossy brown-redFlowers: white to pink, fragrant flowers in corymbs in May/June, rich in nectar, valuable for...
Styphnolobium japonicum
Height: up to 20 m
Trunk: longitudinally fissured bark
Crown: rounded, spreading widely with age
Leaves: imparipinnate, oval leaves
Flowers: fragrant, white flowers in large, loose panicles, rich in nectar, valuable for pollinators
Fruits/Seeds: string of pearls-like pods (approx. 8 cm) with black-brown seeds
Other: almost all parts of the plant (except flowers) are poisonous
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2)
Corylus colurna
Height: up to 20 m, occasionally up to 25 m
Trunk: conspicuously fissured, scaly bark
Leaves: round, heart-shaped to broadly ovate, 5–15 cm long, doubly serrated, heart-shaped at the base
Flowers: yellow catkins up to 12 cm long, March to April
Fruits/Seeds: spherical clusters, edible nuts (approx. 2 cm) with a bristly husk
Photos: Barbara Pressel (1,2), Dorit Zimmermann (3,4,5)
Gleditsia triacanthosHeight: up to 25 mTrunk: dark grey-brown, initially smooth, later longitudinally fissured, peeling off in elongated plates, with distinct tuft-like thornsCrown: slender, widening upward, open crownLeaves: alternate, simple or twice-pinnate leaves with 8–30 elliptical-oval and rounded leaflets (each approx. 2 cm long), slightly serrated in the front third, fresh greenFlowers: greenish-yellow flowers in hanging clusters, in May/JuneFruits/Seeds: Brown, leathery...
Sorbus spp.Height: up to 15 m, exceptions up to 25 mTrunk: occasionally multi-stemmed, bark smooth, silvery-grey to dull grey, bark easily fissured with ageLeaves: alternate, oval to broadly ovate, 6–8 cm long, base conical, underside often hairy, serrated, toothed, pinnate, or lobed depending on the speciesFlowers: white flowers, 1–2 cm wide each, in broad corymbsFruits/Seeds: small fruits, 1–2 cm in size, oblong to spherical, orange to coral red, in clusters; bird-feeding...
Pyrus spp.Height: up to 15 m, exceptions up to 20 mTrunk: dark brown to blackish scaly bark, angular, peeling in cubesCrown: narrow or broad conicalLeaves: alternate, ovate to elliptical, 5–9 cm long, serrated to smooth-edgedFlowers: white to pink flowers in umbel-like clusters, from April to MayFruits/Seeds: edible pome fruit, usually greenish to yellow-brownOther: approx. 1,500 to 5,000 varieties worldwide, of which only about 10 are commercially availablePhotos: Dorit...
Malus spp.
Height: up to 10 m
Trunk: initially smooth bark, later light to dark grey-brown, peeling in scales
Crown: usually broad
Leaves: alternate, elliptical to ovate, up to 12 cm long, dark green on top, soft-haired to felt-like underneath
Flowers: white to pink, late April
Fruits/Seeds: edible capsule, green to red depending on the variety
Other: Approx. 30,000 different apple varieties worldwide, 2,000 in Germany
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2,3,4,5)
Prunus spp.Height: up to 20 m depending on the species, exceptions up to 30 mTrunk: reddish to brownish-grey bark, smooth to shallowly fissured, partly glossy; lenticels form distinct horizontal structures/transverse bandsCrown: rounded, often broadly spreadingLeaves: alternate, oblong-ovate to elliptical, pointedFlowers: profuse, fragrant, white to pink flowers in umbel-like or raceme-like clustersFruits/Seeds: Stone fruits with a hard pit, fleshy on the outside and often...
Alnus spp.Height: up to 25 mTrunk: blackish-brown bark, longitudinally fissured, with orange-yellow lenticels, often multi-stemmedLeaves: alternate, obovate, broad to rounded, indented at the tip, coarsely serrated margin, glossy dark green upper side, lighter underside, petiolateBuds: sticky buds and young shootsFlowers: 6–10 cm long, limp, pendulous male catkins, initially purplish-red, turning pale yellow when pollen is released; female catkins elongated-oval, purplish-red, at branch...
Salix spp.Height: Depending on the species, ranging from shrub-like to a large treeTrunk: fast-growing, often hollow insideLeaves: alternate, elliptical to lanceolate, pointedFlowers: catkin-shaped, usually dioecious (either female or male flowers on a single tree)Fruits/Seeds: Seeds often fly in small clouds with white fuzzOther: 300 to 400 species worldwide; about 30 to 40 different willow species in Germany; branches are usually very flexiblePhotos: Wolfgang Schödel...
Salix capreaHeight: up to 10 mTrunk: Shrub-like or small tree, grey-black, furrowed bark; grey, grey-green branches, initially light-haired and very flexibleCrown: broad crownLeaves: alternate, elliptical to obovate, rounded at the base, twisted tip, upper surface dark green, lower surface grey-green and densely hairy, petiolateBuds: red, reddish-brown, or yellow buds, initially hairy, ovate to conicalFlowers: male, approx. 3 cm long, oval catkins initially covered in dense silvery...
White willowHeight: up to 25 mTrunk: Shrub-like or a tree with a short trunk that branches into many main branches early on; grey-brown bark, deeply fissured lengthwise, swollenCrown: broad, open, usually irregular with ageLeaves: alternate, lanceolate, pointed, 5–12 cm long, margin finely toothed, initially hairy on both sides, later only on the underside, short-stalkedFlowers: Male, 4–6 cm long, yellow, erect catkins; female, 3–5 cm long, greenish, erect catkins, appearing immediately...
Acer pseudoplatanusHeight: up to 30 m, exceptions up to 40 mTrunk: silvery to grey-brown bark, flaking in scales with a “camouflage” patternLeaves: opposite, 5-lobed, the upper 3 lobes roughly equal in size, the lower lobe often only faintly visible, lobes acute-angled, serrated margin, 10–20 cm wide, upper surface dark green, lower surface grey-green, petiole often tinged with red, without sapBuds: egg-shaped with green bud scalesFlowers: yellow-green, rather inconspicuous flowers in...
Acer platanoidesHeight: up to 30 mTrunk: dark grey-brown to blackish bark, initially smooth, later longitudinally fissured and furrowedLeaves: opposite, typically 5-lobed, less commonly 7-lobed, serrated margin with distinct tips, lobes rounded, 10–20 cm wide, upper surface glossy dark green, lower surface light green, with milky sapBuds: reddish, bare budsFlowers: yellow-green flowers in upright umbels, before leaf emergence in March/AprilFruits/Seeds: Fruits with winged samaras for...
Acer campestreHeight: up to 20 mTrunk: sometimes multi-stemmed and shrub-like, dark grey-brown bark, initially smooth, later increasingly fissured to reticulate, smaller in stature than other maple speciesLeaves: opposite, 3–5-lobed, with rounded leaf tips and lobes, 5–10 cm wide, upper surface dull dark green, lower surface lighter, finely hairy, with milky sapBuds: reddish-brown to greyish-brown, spherical-ovoid, with 4–6 scales, white-ciliatedFlowers: yellow-green flowers in upright...
Acer spp.
Height: There are many maple species, ranging from shrub-like to large treesTrunk: Bark varies (smooth to longitudinally fissured to scaly)
Leaves: opposite, usually 3–7-lobed, palmately lobed, 5–20 cm in size, opposite leaves
Fruits/Seeds: Fruits with winged samaras for wind dispersal
Other: 3 native maple species and countless others from other countries
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2,3)
Ginkgo bilobaHeight: usually up to 20 m, exceptions up to 40 mTrunk: brown-grey bark, deeply fissured or reticulateCrown: very open, initially slender, later becoming increasingly roundedLeaves: long-stalked, fan-shaped leaves, up to 10 cm long, leathery and tough, 2-lobed, with forked veins, fresh green, strikingly yellow in autumnFlowers: Male flowers in hanging catkins; inconspicuous female flowers, in clusters in leaf axils, from March to MayFruits/Seeds: Stone-fruit-like fruits...
Ulmus spp.
Height: up to 35 m
Trunk: deeply furrowed bark
Leaves: obovate to elliptical, with a distinctly asymmetrical attachment to the stem, more or less hairy, with a double-serrated margin, rustling
Fruits/Seeds: roundish to ovate fruits, resembling wafer-thin leaflets with a seed in the center, occurring in clusters
Other: rare tree species, 3 species in Germany, difficult to distinguish
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2,3,4), Wolfgang Schödel (5,6)
Fagus sylvaticaHeight: up to 40 mTrunk: very smooth, grey-brown barkLeaves: ovate to elliptical, 5–10 cm long, margin smooth to wavy, initially light green, later glossy dark green, underside lighter, initially hairy, margin ciliate, leaf base often obliqueFlowers: male flowers as long-stalked, 3–5 cm long, spherical clusters; female flowers stand upright as inconspicuous, four-lobed fruit cups, in April/May before leaf emergenceFruits/Seeds: triangular, edible beechnuts in spiny...
Populus tremulaHeight: up to 20 m, occasionally up to 30 mTrunk: slender, straight, often slightly twisted trunk, grey bark with transverse stripes of cork warts (lenticels)Crown: loose, broadly spreading to roundedLeaves: alternate, rounded to heart-shaped, with an irregularly lobed and toothed margin; dull grey-green above, pale bluish-green below; long, laterally flattened petioles that cause the characteristic “trembling” of the leaves in a light breezeFlowers: 10 cm long...
Populus x canescensHeight: up to 30 mTrunk: initially smooth, light-colored bark that darkens with age and becomes deeply furrowedCrown: rounded, open crownLeaves: rounded to triangular (approx. 7 cm), irregularly toothed, with large, arched teeth and shallow notches, long, flattened, hairy petiole, dark upper surface, glossy grey-green, lower surface densely covered with silvery hairsFlowers: grey to reddish, pendulous male catkins and greenish female catkins in April before leaf...
Populus x canadensisHeight: up to 30 m, fast-growingTrunk: grey barkCrown: broad, widely spreading crownLeaves: triangular to rhombic in shape, pointed, 7–10 cm long, finely toothed margin, flattened petiole, reddishFlowers: reddish, pendulous male catkins and greenish female catkins in March/April before leaf emergenceFruits/Seeds: two-valved capsules with hairy seeds in May/JuneOther: Hybrid of Canadian and native black poplarPhotos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern...
Populus nigra 'Italica'Height: up to 30 mTrunk: dark grey to black, with thick, deeply fissured, furrowed bark when matureCrown: narrow, columnarLeaves: triangular to rhombic in shape, finely toothed margin, long tip, long-stalked, upper surface glossy dark greenFlowers: male catkins 5–9 cm long, initially red, later greyish-white, pendulous, and shorter, female yellow-green catkins in March/April before leaf emergenceFruits/Seeds: two-valved capsules with hairy seeds in May/JuneOther...
Populus spp.
Height: up to 30 m, tall-growing
Trunk: grey, dark bark
Leaves: mostly heart-shaped or triangular with long petioles
Flowers: hanging catkins
Fruits/Seeds: capsules containing numerous wind-dispersed, hairy seeds
Other: fast-growing deciduous tree belonging to the willow family
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2,3,4)
Fraxinus excelsiorHeight: up to 30 m, occasionally up to 40 mTrunk: long, straight trunk; bark grey to olive-green when young, finely and shallowly furrowed when matureCrown: open, high-arched, and irregularly shapedLeaves: opposite, imparipinnate leaves 20–30 cm long with 9–15 oval-lanceolate, pointed leaflets (each approx. 4–10 cm long), serrated at the margins, dull green upper side, lighter underneathBuds: deep black, felt-like winter buds; pointed-pyramidal terminal budsFlowers...
Carpinus betulusHeight: up to 20 mTrunk: smooth, dark grey bark, often deeply furrowed with age, twisted growth, often multi-stemmedLeaves: alternate, narrow-ovate with a short tip, ribbed surface, light green, double-serrated at the leaf margin (large and smaller teeth)Buds: fawn-brown with light-colored edges on the individual bud scalesFlowers: male yellow catkins (up to 10 cm) hang laterally; female green inflorescences are inconspicuous at shoot tips, in May/JuneFruits/Seeds...
Betula pubescensHeight: up to 20 mTrunk: conspicuously white (betulin), smooth bark, hardly any bark formation; becomes cracked and darker, reddish in color with ageCrown: slender, open, often multi-branchedLeaves: broadly ovate to rhombic, short tip, usually simply serrated, 4–6 cm long, hairy on both upper and lower surfacesFlowers: yellow, elongated, pendulous male catkins; female catkins are green and erectFruits/Seeds: 3–5 mm long, narrow, two-winged, single-seeded nutsOther...
Betula pendulaHeight: up to 20 mTrunk: conspicuously white (betulin), smooth bark, becoming cracked and darker with age, peeling, flaked at the base of the trunk due to deep, black cracksCrown: usually slender, tall, and irregularLeaves: rhombic to triangular, pointed, usually with a double-serrated margin, 4–7 cm long, hairlessFlowers: up to 10 cm long, yellow, elongated, pendulous male catkins; 2–3 cm long, greenish, erect female catkins at branch tips, in April to MayFruits/Seeds...
Betula spp.
Height: up to 20 m
Trunk: conspicuously white (betulin), smooth bark, becoming cracked and darker with age
Crown: usually slender
Leaves: rhombic to triangular, ovate, 4–7 cm long
Flowers: elongated, pendulous male catkins, female inflorescences
Fruits/Seeds: 3–5 mm long, two-winged, single-seeded nuts
Other: very thin, delicate twigs, often drooping
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2,3), Dorit Zimmermann (4)
Robinia pseudoacaciaHeight: up to 25 mTrunk: initially smooth and brownish, later with deep, winding longitudinal fissures and bulges, grey to dark brown barkLeaves: imparipinnate, alternate leaves up to 25 cm long, with 11–17 oval leaflets having smooth margins, dull green, grey-green underneath, 15–30 cm long, with stipule spinesFlowers: striking white, pendulous papilionaceous flowers in clusters, strongly fragrant, valuable for pollinatorsFruits/Seeds: 5–10 cm long pods/siliques...
Platanus x hispanicaHeight: up to 35 mTrunk: Bark strikingly scaly, smooth, peeling to reveal a distinctly lighter-colored layer beneath, “camouflage pattern”Leaves: palmately lobed, 3- to 5-lobed, front lobes broadly triangular, dark green, underside lighter, 15–25 cm wide, petiole 5–10 cm longFlowers: inconspicuous solitary flowers, densely arranged in spherical heads about 1 cm in diameter, usually up to 3 on a pendulous stalk, in MayFruits/Seeds: spherical fruit clusters (3–4 cm)...
Quercus cerrisHeight: up to 35 mTrunk: dark grey, longitudinally fissured barkLeaves: alternate, oblong-elliptic, deeply lobed, often irregularly shaped, 8–12 cm long, dark green and glossy, roughBuds: surrounded by thread-like stipules/bud scales (approx. 2 cm long)Flowers: yellow, male, pendulous catkins; 1–4 female flowers with very short stalks at branch tips; in April/May; attractive to pollinatorsFruits/Seeds: egg-shaped fruits with spiny caps/cups clustered...
Quercus rubraHeight: up to 30 m, occasionally up to 50 mTrunk: Bark grey-brown, smooth, becoming furrowed with ageLeaves: alternate, distinctly and sharply lobed, 10–25 cm long, with reddish-brown tufts of hair in the leaf axils on the underside, with long petioles (2–5 cm)Buds: light brown, clustered at the ends of branchesFruits/Seeds: globular, stout, thick fruits with caps/cups on short stalks, clustered togetherOther: striking red autumn colorPhotos: BUND Naturschutz...
Quercus petraeaHeight: up to 40 mTrunk: Trunk branches only at the top, grey-brown bark, longitudinally fissured, deeply furrowedLeaves: alternate, distinctly lobed, 8–12 cm long, with long petioles (2–5 cm)Buds: light brown, egg-shaped, clustered at the tips of the branchesFlowers: male flowers as inconspicuous, yellow catkins on the long shoots; female flowers inconspicuous, whitish to green, in clusters at the shoot tips, appearing simultaneously with the emergence of new foliage in...
Quercus roburHeight: up to 40 mTrunk: branching low on the trunk, light grey to grey-brown bark, longitudinally fissured, deeply furrowedLeaves: alternate, distinctly lobed (5–7 unevenly rounded lobes and notches), 10–12 cm long, upper surface deep green and glossy, with short petioles (4–8 mm), often with small auricles at the base of the leafBuds: light brown, short, spherical-ovoid, clustered at the shoot tipsFlowers: male flowers form 2–4 cm long, pendulous catkins on long shoots...
Quercus spp.
Height: up to 40 m
Trunk: grey-brown bark, longitudinally fissured, furrowed
Leaves: alternate, distinctly lobed, 6–17 cm long
Buds: Light brown buds clustered at the ends of branches
Fruits/Seeds: egg-shaped with a cap (cupule)
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2,3,4)
Aesculus hippocastanumHeight: up to 25 mTrunk: bark grey-brown to reddish-brown, scaly/striped, usually growing in a clockwise spiralLeaves: palmately lobed, consisting of 5–7 leaflets, up to 25 cm long, with a double-serrated margin, dark green on top, lighter underneath, long petiole, club-shaped at the baseBuds: fawn-brown, with 6–10 scales, very stickyFlowers: conspicuous, large, erect panicles in May/JuneFruits/Seeds: large, yellow-green, spherical, spiny capsules containing 1–3...
Tilia platyphyllosHeight: up to 40 mTrunk: grey to blackish-brown bark, longitudinally fissuredLeaves: alternate, heart-shaped, 7–15 cm long, angled, serrated edges, upper side loosely hairy, with small tufts of white hair in leaf vein axilsBuds: ovoid, red, egg-shaped, slightly hairy, usually with 2 scalesFlowers: yellowish-white, in drooping, corymbose inflorescences, in June/July (slightly earlier than the small-leaved linden), strongly scented, valuable for pollinatorsFruits/Seeds...
Tilia cordataHeight: up to 40 mTrunk: grey-brown bark, longitudinally fissured with ageCrown: broad, spreading, and rounded; very dense and varied in shape when matureLeaves: alternate, heart-shaped, 3–10 cm long, angled, finely serrated with dark green upper side, lighter underside with small tufts of dark hair in leaf vein axilsBuds: green to reddish-brown, egg-shaped, with 2 scalesFlowers: yellowish-white, in drooping, corymbose inflorescences, in June/July, strongly scented...
Tilia spp.
Height: up to 40 m
Trunk: grey to blackish brown bark, longitudinally fissured
Leaves: alternate, heart-shaped, 3–15 cm long, angled, serrated edges
Flowers: in June/July/August, strongly scented, valuable for pollinators
Fruits/Seeds: small, spherical nut fruits (approx. 5 mm) with 1 wing, stemmed
Other: Common urban and street tree
Photos: Thomas Stephan (1), Dorit Zimmermann (2), BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (3,4)
Dead tree due to disease or injury
e.g. infestation with harmful bugs, fungi or bacteria
Photos: Wolfgang Schödel (1), BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (2)
Actively cut tree
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2)
Tree killed by storm and severe weather
e.g. uprooting, toppling, splitting, lightning strike
Photos: Wolfgang Schödel (1), Sonja Kreil (2)
Dead tree due to construction sites
e.g. due to construction work in the root area, damage to the tree due to lack of root protection, soil compaction
Impact of the injury or impairment is usually delayed
Photo: Thomas Stephan (1)
Other reason
Tree death caused by excessive pruning
Photo: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1)
Lack of tree plantinge.g. empty tree discs, entire streets, squares without treesPhotos: Christopher Busch (1), Thomas Stephan (2)
Liquidambar styracifluaHeight: up to 25 mTrunk: smooth bark, later fissured and corkyCrown: narrow, upright, conical crown, later broader and ovoidLeaves: alternate, maple-like, palmately lobed (5–7-lobed), approx. 10–15 cm long, finely toothed margin, dark green above, hairy at the vein junctions below, fragrant when crushed, long-stalked, turning a vivid carmine red in autumnFlowers: inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, female spherical or male spike-like inflorescences, in MayFruits/Seeds: 2–3...
Ulmus glabraHeight: up to 35 mTrunk: initially smooth and silvery grey, later with longitudinal cracks and grey-brown barkCrown: dense, tall, rounded crownLeaves: alternate, asymmetrical leaf base, obovate to broadly oval, approx. 10–15 cm long, with a slender tip or often broadly 3-lobed, upper surface dull dark green, very rough, doubly serrated margin, short-stalkedBuds: conical, large, blackish-brown, and densely hairyFlowers: hermaphroditic; small, short-stalked, reddish-brown, dense...
Pseudotsuga menziesiiHeight: up to 50 m, exceptions up to 80 mTrunk: initially smooth, dark to green-grey, with resin blisters; becomes increasingly fissured with age, black-brown; branches extending horizontallyCrown: slender, conical, regular crownLeaves: spirally arranged, approx. 2–4 cm long, soft, non-prickly, and flat needles, slender, barely pointed, dark green on top, with two rows of silvery stomata on the underside, citrus-like scent when crushedBuds: pointed, conical, reddish-brown...
Juglans regiaHeight: up to 25 mTrunk: initially smooth and grey bark, later grey-brown to black-grey, deeply fissuredCrown: broad crown, widely spreadingLeaves: alternate, imparipinnate, 30–40 cm long with 5–9 oval leaflets (each up to approx. 12 cm long), becoming larger toward the tip of the leaf, terminal leaflet significantly larger, aromatic scent when crushedFlowers: yellow-green, male catkins up to 10 cm long, hanging limply, in May, 4 weeks before female flowers; inconspicuous, female...
Castanea sativaHeight: up to 30 mTrunk: grey-brown bark, heavily longitudinally fissuredCrown: widely spreading and rounded to broadly ovalLeaves: pointed, serrated edges, up to 10–30 cm long, upper surface glossy dark green, slightly leatheryBuds: brown, egg-shapedFlowers: long, yellowish-white male catkins; yellow female flowers, in June/JulyFruits/Seeds: heavily spiny cupules, usually containing 3 nutsOther: tasty roasted or boiled chestnuts (also known as marrons)Photo: Conni Schlosser...
Crataegus monogynaHeight: up to 10 mTrunk: shrub-like, multi-stemmed, or small tree; reddish-brown to grey-brown bark, smooth to fissured; thorn-covered branchesCrown: irregular, densely branchedLeaves: alternate, usually 5- to 9-lobed, deeply incised, lobes toothed at the tip, turning yellow-orange or strikingly red in autumnBuds: small, egg-shaped to spherical, glossy brown-redFlowers: white, fragrant flowers in corymbs in May/June, with a single styleFruits/Seeds: carmine-red to bluish-red...
Sorbus torminalisHeight: up to 15 mTrunk: initially smooth, grey bark; later dark brown, longitudinally fissured bark that peels off in small plates; often multi-stemmed or shrub-likeCrown: broad, rounded, and openLeaves: alternate, broadly oval, maple-like lobed (6–10-lobed), irregularly serrated margin, approx. 5–10 cm long, leathery, upper surface glossy dark green, lower surface pale green, long-stalked, deep red in autumnBuds: small, spherical, and bright green to yellowish, stickyFlowers...
Fraxinus spp.Height: up to 30 m, exceptions up to 40 mTrunk: Bark grey to olive-green when young, finely and shallowly furrowed when matureLeaves: opposite, imparipinnate leaves, with oval-lanceolate leafletsBuds: depending on the species, large, grey to black buds, with felt-like hairsFruits/Seeds: winged nuts, hanging in clustersOther: Common disease is ash dieback, recognizable by dying branches, starting in the crownPhotos: Grete Haag (1), Sonja Kreil (2), Wolfgang Schödel (3)...
Picea spp.Height: up to 40 mTrunk: straight trunk, initially thin, smooth grey-brown bark, becoming fissured and scaly with age, often greenish on the weather sideCrown: conical, later often loose crown, branches mostly horizontal to slightly pendulousLeaves: spirally arranged, pointed needles, 4-sided with stomata on all sides or flat with stomata facing downward, fused to the branch at the baseFlowers: small, reddish to yellow male flowers; erect female inflorescencesFruits/Seeds: elongated...
Pterocarya fraxinifoliaHeight: up to 20 mTrunk: short, thick trunk with black-grey, net-like, longitudinally fissured bark, often multi-stemmedCrown: dense, domed crown, often broadly spreadingLeaves: alternate, imparipinnate, 20–45 cm long with 7–27 ovate to oblong-lanceolate, toothed leaflets (each approx. 5–12 cm long), underside covered with stellate hairs along the midribBuds: brown, small, and elongatedFlowers: yellow, up to 12 cm long, pendulous, male catkins; terminal; green, up to 15...
Malus sylvestrisHeight: up to 10 mTrunk: short, often curved trunk or shrub-like; light reddish-brown to grey bark that peels off in small, thin plates; short shoots often with thornsCrown: broad, densely foliated, and pendulousLeaves: alternate, broadly oval to egg-shaped, pointed, 4–10 cm long, finely serrated margin, petiolate, underside softly hairyBuds: dark red to brown, approx. 2 mm, ciliateFlowers: white to pale pink, in clusters at the tips of short shoots, in April/MayFruits/Seeds...
Pyrus pyrasterHeight: up to 15 mTrunk: dark grey to blackish bark, initially smooth, later scaly and fissured, peeling off in small plates, sometimes also shrub-like, short shoots often ending in thornsCrown: conical, highly domed and open when matureLeaves: alternate, broadly elliptical, very slightly pointed, 3–7 cm long, glossy dark green above, bluish below, finely serrated margin, long-stalkedBuds: reddish-brown and smoothFlowers: white to pink, long-stalked in umbellate, tufted...
Prunus cerasiferaHeight: up to 10 mTrunk: short and often multi-stemmed, frequently shrub-like, reddish-brown to grey-black bark, longitudinally fissuredCrown: branched, irregular and rather broad to globose, denseLeaves: alternate, approx. 3–7 cm long, elliptical to ovate, finely serrated margin, petiolateFlowers: white to pale pink, strongly fragrant, approx. 2 cm wide, appearing before or with the emergence of foliage in March/AprilFruits/Seeds: spherical drupes, 2–3 cm in size, yellow, red...
Malus domesticaHeight: up to 10 mTrunk: short, straight trunk, greyish-brown and scaly bark, short shoots without thornsCrown: spreading, broad, round, often very dense crownLeaves: alternate, broad to oblong-oval, pointed, finely serrated margin, petiolateBuds: thick flower buds and pointed leaf budsFlowers: white to pink flowers, approx. 2.5–5 cm in size, in clusters at the ends of short shoots, just before leaf emergence in April/MayFruits/Seeds: spherical apples, up to over 10 cm in size...
Pyrus communisHeight: up to 15 m, exceptions up to 20 mTrunk: dark grey to blackish, barky, short shoots without thornsCrown: narrow, conical, later broader and pyramidalLeaves: alternate, broadly elliptical, pointed, 5–8 cm long, initially hairy, later glabrous, finely serrated margin, petiolateFlowers: white to pink, long-stalked, in clusters at the ends of branches, in April/MayFruits/Seeds: pear-shaped fruit, over 5 cm long, green, yellow, or brownish with fine dots, sweet and juicy flesh...
Thuja spp.Height: up to 30 m depending on the species, exceptions up to 50 mTrunk: Bark light reddish to brown, distinctly fissured lengthwise with age, peeling off in strips or small plates, upward-pointing branches, tips flattened, often multi-stemmedCrown: dense, usually narrow, conical crownLeaves: scale-like, closely appressed to the branch, distinctly overlapping, arranged like roof tiles, blunt or with a short tip, yellowish when fresh to dull dark green, aromatic when crushedFlowers...
Magnolia spp.Height: up to 10 m depending on the species, exceptions up to 20 mTrunk: initially smooth, brown-grey bark, later finely fissured, single- or multi-stemmed, often also shrub-likeCrown: broad and spreading, rounded and densely branched, pyramidal growthLeaves: alternate, obovate to elliptical with a short tip, leathery, entire margin, up to approx. 20 cm long, upper surface dull fresh green, lower surface lighter, short-stalkedBuds: large, densely hairyFlowers: depending on...
Sequoia, Sequoiadendron, MetasequoiaHeight: up to 40 m in Europe, over 90 m in CaliforniaTrunk: conspicuously reddish to reddish-brown bark, very thick, soft, deeply fissured lengthwise, splitting into long fibersCrown: conical, becoming irregular with ageLeaves: Sequoia: needle-like, soft and flat, pointed, arranged in two rows, evergreen; Sequoiadendron: scale-like, pointed, small, arranged in a spiral, evergreen; Metasequoia: needle-like, soft and flat, pointed, opposite, arranged in two...
Morus spp.Height: up to 15 mTrunk: short, thick, and usually twisted trunk; brown to grey-brown bark, initially smooth, later furrowed, fibrous, and soft, thickened with knotsCrown: spreading and broad, openLeaves: alternate, diverse, broadly heart-shaped or ovate, up to about 20 cm long, with a short tip, coarsely serrated margin, petiolateFlowers: inconspicuous, greenish, stalked, pendulous catkins, numerous in compact spikes in the leaf axils, male inflorescences with slightly longer stalks...
Prunus domestica subsp. syriacaHeight: up to 5 mTrunk: slender trunk, often shrub-like, grey-brown to dark bark, slightly fissuredCrown: dense, sparse, and spherical to broadly spreadingLeaves: alternate, ovate to oblong, serrated marginFlowers: white flowers, short-stalked, appearing with new growth in April/MayFruits/Seeds: small, round drupes, approx. 2–3 cm in size, yellow, often with a red blush, sweet and aromatic flesh, easily separating from the stone, from AugustOther: relatively...
Prunus domesticaHeight: up to 15 mTrunk: reddish-brown to grey, smooth to fissuredCrown: rounded, spherical, or broad, openLeaves: alternate, obovate with a pointed tip, approx. 3–8 cm long, initially hairy on both sides, later with a bare upper surface, serrated margin, petiolateBuds: bud scales overlap like roof tilesFlowers: white flowers, short-stalked, 2–3 in clusters, appearing with new growth in March/AprilFruits/Seeds: egg-shaped, roundish, or elongated stone fruit; yellow, red, or...
Prunus spp.
Height: up to 15 m
Trunk: reddish-brown to grey, smooth to fissured
Crown: rounded, spherical, or broad, open
Leaves: alternate, mostly elliptical, ovate to lanceolate and pointed, serrated margin
Flowers: white to pink or carmine red in March to May
Fruits/Seeds: drupes with a hard stone, fleshy on the outside and often edible
Other: Bird-feeding tree
Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1), Dorit Zimmermann (2,3), Tobias Erras (4)
Cydonia oblongaHeight: up to 8 mTrunk: smooth, brownish bark, later peeling off in plates; sometimes also shrub-likeCrown: broad, flat, irregularly branched, denseLeaves: alternate, oblong-oval to elliptical, pointed, approx. 7–10 cm long, dark green and matte on top, lighter and covered with white, felt-like hairs underneath, smooth-edged, petiolateBuds: small, egg-shaped, with white, felt-like hairsFlowers: white to pale pink, solitary at branch tips, in May/JuneFruits/Seeds: large...
Aesculus spp. Height: up to 25 mTrunk: grey-brown to reddish-brown bark, usually growing in a clockwise spiralCrown: broad, rounded, and denseLeaves: palmate, composed of 5–7 leaflets, double-serrated margin, long petiole, club-shaped at the baseBuds: brown, egg-shapedFlowers: conspicuous, large, upright panicles in April/May/JuneFruits/Seeds: large, yellow-green, spherical, spiny capsules containing 1–3 shiny seedsOther: Common urban and street tree; fruits are inedible and mildly...
Aesculus x carneaHeight: up to 20 mTrunk: greyish-brown bark, smooth to scaly, usually growing in a clockwise spiralCrown: rounded to broadly domed, densely closedLeaves: palmately lobed, consisting of 5 leaflets, up to 15 cm long, double-serrated margin, dark green and slightly glossy, long petiole, club-shaped at the baseBuds: egg-shaped, yellow-brownFlowers: conspicuous, large, erect panicles in April/May, light red to redFruits/Seeds: large, yellow-green, spherical, barely spiny capsules...
Chamaecyparis spp.Height: up to 40 m, depending on the speciesTrunk: grey-brown to reddish-brown, initially fibrous, thin bark, later distinctly longitudinally fissured, peeling off in strips; branches often slightly overhanging or arching outwards, usually bearing branches down to the ground; fan-shaped lateral shootsCrown: loose to compact, broadly conical to columnarLeaves: scale-like, small, tightly and very densely arranged and distinctly overlapping, arranged like roof tiles, blunt or...
Prunus spinosaHeight: up to 5 mTrunk: initially reddish-brown bark, later blackish, longitudinally fissured, often shrub-like, densely branched, sharp thorns on short shootsCrown: funnel-shaped, densely bushyLeaves: alternate, small, up to 4 cm long, obovate, wedge-shaped and tapering, with a notched-serrated margin, often hairy, dull dark greenBuds: small, about the size of a pinhead, brown, hairyFlowers: numerous white, fragrant flowers, before leaf emergence in March/April, attracts...
Populus nigraHeight: up to 30 mTrunk: dark grey to black, with thick, deeply fissured, furrowed bark when matureCrown: open, usually very broad, irregular crown when mature, branches starting at a low heightLeaves: triangular to rhombic in shape, finely toothed margin, long tip, long-stalked, upper surface glossy dark greenBuds: long, pointed, stickyFlowers: Male catkins 5–9 cm long, initially red, later greyish-white, pendulous, and shorter, female yellow-green catkins in March/April before...
Sorbus domesticaHeight: up to 15 mTrunk: initially smooth, grey-brown bark; later longitudinally fissured, dark grey-brown, with small scalesCrown: broad, rounded, often irregularLeaves: alternate, imparipinnate leaves (up to approx. 25 cm long, larger than those of the rowan) with 13–21 leaflets (each approx. 5 cm), oblong-elliptic to lanceolate individual leaflets, sharply serrated at the tip, entire along the lower third, upper surface dark green, lower surface grey-green and felt-like...
Picea pungens Height: up to 30 mTrunk: grey to grey-brown bark, scaly with ageCrown: dense, very regularly conical to pyramidal, stiff branches, slightly droopingLeaves: spirally arranged, needles approx. 2–3 cm long, quadrangular, stiff and sharply pointed, silvery steel-blue to blue-green, with a waxy coatingFlowers: yellowish-brown male flowers, reddish, upright female flowers in the crownFruits/Seeds: elongated, pendulous cones, approx. 6–10 cm long, light brown when ripe, with winged...
Prunus aviumHeight: up to 30 mTrunk: reddish brown-grey bark, smooth to shallowly fissured, partly glossy; lenticels form distinct horizontal structures/transverse bandsCrown: broadly conical to ovoidLeaves: alternate, oblong-oval to obovate, pointed, 7 to 15 cm long, serrated margin, upper surface smooth and glossy dark green, lower surface lighter, 2–4 red nectary glands at the leaf base, long-stalkedBuds: egg-shaped with a pointed tip and reddish-brownFlowers: profuse, fragrant, white...
Catalpa bignonioidesHeight: up to 20 mTrunk: straight trunk, light brown to grey-brown bark, longitudinally fissuredCrown: broad, irregularly shaped, open crownLeaves: opposite or in whorls of three, heart-shaped, pointed, entire margin, approx. 10–20 cm long, soft-haired on the underside, long-stalkedFlowers: white, bell-shaped flowers in upright panicles, with yellow nectaries and purple spots, in June/JulyFruits/Seeds: narrow, pendulous capsules up to approx. 30 cm longPhotos...
Sorbus acupariaHeight: up to 15 mTrunk: small tree, often multi-stemmed, slender trunk, smooth, silver-grey to yellowish-grey bark, becoming scaly and fissured with age due to lenticelsCrown: loose, broad, irregular crownLeaves: alternate, imparipinnate leaves (up to 20 cm long) with 9–17 leaflets (each approx. 6 cm), oblong-oval, pointed individual leaflets, entire at the base, sharply toothed toward the tip, densely hairy or glabrous on the underside, petiolate up to 3 cm longBuds: dark grey...
Juglans spp.Height: up to 25 mTrunk: grey-brown to black-brown bark, smooth to fissured and deeply furrowedCrown: widely spreading and spherical to broadLeaves: alternate, imparipinnate, 5–9 oval, elongated, and pointed leaflets, aromatic scent when crushedFlowers: green male, pendulous catkins and female, inconspicuous inflorescences in April/JuneFruits/Seeds: round nuts, not drupes as long believed; their green husk develops from the carpels and bracts of the flower stalk; in clusters of 2–5...
Height: up to 6 mTrunk: short, upright trunk, but also multi-stemmed or shrub-like, greyish-brown to dark brown barkCrown: variable, upright, round, conical, broad and spreading, pendulousLeaves: alternate, ovate, pointed, serrated edge, dull-lustrous, green to reddishBuds: dark red or pinkFlowers: numerous, white to pink flowers, fragrant, in clusters at the ends of short shoots, in April/MayFruits/Seeds: small, cherry-sized apples, yellow to red, sometimes used for jams, etc.Other: attracts...
Height: up to 15 mTrunk: smooth, grey bark, becoming increasingly scaly with ageCrown: conical to ovoid, densely branchedLeaves: alternate, depending on the species, lanceolate, heart-shaped to ovate, pointed, dark green, long-stalkedFlowers: numerous white flowers in corymb-like clusters, in April/MayFruits/Seeds: small, brown pear-shaped fruits, hard and not suitable for human consumption, but a food source for wildlifeOther: good source of nectar for bees and food for birdsPhotos...
Height: up to 15 mTrunk: red to reddish-brown bark, smooth to slightly furrowed, lenticels form distinct horizontal structures/transverse bandsLeaves: alternate, oblong-ovate to elliptical, pointed, serrated margins, petiolateBuds: ovate-pointed and reddish-brownFlowers: abundant, fragrant, white to pink flowers in umbel-like or raceme-like clusters, in April/MayFruits/Seeds: depending on the species, no fruits or rarely fruits, red to black, small and inedibleOther: There are many different...
Crataegus laevigataHeight: up to 10 mTrunk: shrub-like, multi-stemmed, or small tree; short and twisted; reddish-brown and smooth bark, later turning grey and cracking into flat plates; thorn-covered branchesCrown: irregular, densely branchedLeaves: alternate, usually 5- to 9-lobed, deeply incised, lobes toothed at the tip, turning yellow-orange in autumnBuds: small, egg-shaped to spherical, glossy brown-redFlowers: white, fragrant flowers in corymbs in May/June, two stylesFruits/Seeds...
Cypressus spp.Height: up to 30 m, depending on the speciesTrunk: grey-brown to reddish-brown, initially fibrous, thin bark, later distinctly longitudinally fissured, peeling off in strips; branches mostly upright to obliquely ascending, usually bearing branches down to the groundCrown: dense, usually narrow and conical to columnar, becoming more spreading with ageLeaves: scale-like, usually small, closely appressed to the twig, very densely arranged and distinctly overlapping, arranged like...