HEDGEROW ID GUIDE

Nine hedgerow berries and nuts to spot.

The spring blossoms of hedgerow trees and shrubs have come and gone, but now is the time to look for the fruits, berries and nuts that result from them. Richard Jones has nine species to spot.

HAWTHORN

Its leaves are 6cm long, wedgeshaped with 3–7 deep-cut lobes. Twigs have long sharp spines. Its berry, or ‘haw’, is rough-textured, red and oval, 8mm across.

DOG ROSE

Leaflets are 2–3cm long, oval, small-toothed along edges, 5–7 per stalk. Stems have sharp, stout, back-curved prickles. Hips smooth, oval, red, 15–20mm long.

DOGWOOD

Bright red stems and broad, oval, smooth-edged, veined leaves up to 8cm; gelatinous strands of latex when torn. Clusters of shiny black berries 5–8mm across.

BLACKTHORN

Leaves are 2–3cm long, wrinkled, oval, small-toothed along edges. Branches have long, very sharp spines. The ‘sloe’ fruit is dark blue/ purple, smooth, 10–15mm across.

HOLLY

Deep glossy green leaves, to 10cm long, with 7–15 folded edge points and pin-sharp tips. Only female bushes have bright red berries, 10mm across, in hanging clusters.

ELDER

Leaflets are oval, 5–10cm long, strongly tooth-edged, 5–7 per stalk. Bark is wrinkled; stems brittle with white pith inside. Large clusters of shiny black berries, 5mm across.

HAZEL

Leaves are 6–12cm long, broad oval, jagged edges, flattened at end with pointed, small tip. Bark is smooth, brown. Nuts grow in a leafy sheath 15–20mm long.

SPINDLEBERRY

Leaves are 3–8cm long, oval, finely toothed along edges. Stems green, square in cross-section. Four-lobed fruits are bright red-pink, splitting open to reveal four orange seeds.

WAYFARING TREE Broad, oval, thick leaves to 9cm long are finely toothed on edges, downy on underside. Oblong, shiny fruits, 9mm long, turn red to black with maturity in globular clusters.