Top 20 Most Common Trees in Flanders

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Top 20 Most Common Trees in Flanders

Flanders, Belgium's distinct climatic and soil dynamics create an ideal environment for native trees to thrive. Three representative trees that anchor themselves in this land are English oak, Sycamore, and European ash. These trees hold great symbolic, cultural, and ecological importance within the state's boundaries. By emphasizing accuracy and drawing on reputable sources, we can explore the ecological essence of Flanders and highlight these standout local trees.

Most Common Trees

English oak

The english oak (*Quercus robur*) is a deciduous tree native to Europe. It is a very long-lived tree; the oldest known specimens have been living for more than a thousand years. It is commonly represented in European mythologies as a symbol of strength, longevity, nobility, morale, and knowledge.

Sycamore

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) is a tree native to Europe and Asia. Sycamore is tolerant of wind and coastal exposure. This species is known as the sycamore maple in the United States. Sycamore wood is commercially used to make musical instruments, furniture, joinery, wood flooring and kitchen utensils.

Common hazel

3. Common hazel

Common hazel (Corylus avellana) is a deciduous shrub species that is cultivated for its edible nuts. Hazelnuts can refer to the nut from any Corylus species, but it most often refers to Corylus avellana. The nuts from common hazel are eaten straight or used in making confectionary. Common hazel is native to Europe and western Asia.

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European ash

4. European ash

European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a large deciduous tree featured in Norse mythology and Scottish folklore. European ash is native to mainland Europe. This species is susceptible to the disease Ash dieback which is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. European ash often grows in basic soils on calcareous substrates.

Common hawthorn

5. Common hawthorn

Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a flowering tree that is actually part of the rose family. It is not unusual in garden settings and arranged as hedges. Examples of famous common hawthorn trees include the apocryphal oldest tree in France, and a well-known hawthorn in England that stood out for flowering three times a year.

European beech

6. European beech

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a large deciduous tree often used for ornamental purposes. European beech tends to out-compete other tree species, due to its dense canopy and tolerance to shade. Its wood is highly valued and has a very diverse use, including making furniture, musical instruments, for construction, as firewood, charcoal, and plywood.

European mountain-ash

7. European mountain-ash

Sorbus aucuparia, also known as european mountain-ash, is a deciduous tree native to Europe. It grows a slim trunk with upward-curving branches as it matures. Its admirable upright and dense branching gives the plant an oval crown. The juicy and soft clustered fruits are an excellent source of food for birds, while its yellow to plum foliage adds to its overall aesthetic appeal.

Sweet cherry

8. Sweet cherry

Sweet cherry is a well-known species to fruit lovers worldwide. This stone fruit varies in flavor from sweet to tart, depending on the specific cultivar. Sweet cherry is also used for lumber and is a preferred wood type for furniture.

Black alder

Black alder (Alnus glutinosa) is indigenous to almost all of continental Europe. It’s used commercially in papermaking, in the manufacture of fiberboard, and in energy production. The bark of black alder has been used for hundreds of years in dyeing and tanning. The leaves of this species are so sticky, some people put them on the floor of their homes to trap fleas.

Silver birch

10. Silver birch

The silver birch is native to Europe, Siberia, and China. It can grow between 15 m and 25 m, with a potential to reach 31 m. Its distinct bark is white and eventually becomes flaky. The leaves are pale green during summer and yellow during fall.

Black cherry

11. Black cherry

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a medium-sized, deciduous forest tree native to the Americas, but also naturalized in parts of Europe. It features inflorescence with small white blooms that become clusters of dark cherries, edible when pitted. Mature trees have gray-to-black, distinctly crackled bark. The glossy leaves are poisonous to livestock. It is a highly reproductive pioneer species with invasive potential.

Common hornbeam

12. Common hornbeam

Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a deciduous small to medium-size tree that commonly grows in scree forests on mountainside cliffs. Common hornbeam often has a fluted and crooked trunk. The bark is smooth and greenish-grey, even in old trees. Common hornbeam is commonly planted as an ornamental tree in parks in northwestern Europe.

Black locust

13. Black locust

While the black locust may have a bad reputation in many areas of the US due to its opportunistic and rapid growth, there are benefits to this tree. The black locust is an important food source for honey bees and is a good choice for windbreaks since it grows so quickly (91 to 122 cm per year). Its wood also resists rot, so it is used in fenceposts. The plant is highly toxic, though, and should never be consumed.

Sweet chestnut

14. Sweet chestnut

Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) is a chestnut tree native to the southern region of Europe. The seeds of sweet chestnut are one of the most ancient foods. Sweet chestnut grows well in weathered soil at an acidic pH.

Northern red oak

15. Northern red oak

Arguably the most popular hardwood in the US, lumber from northern red oak (Quercus rubra) is used for cabinets, flooring, veneers, trim, and more. When growing, the tree reaches a height of 15 to 23 m. The foliage on this tree is stunning, with dark green leaves in summer giving way to brilliant red in the fall.

Common holly

16. Common holly

Common holly (Ilex aquifolium) is an evergreen tree or shrub, recognized by the characteristic shape of its leaves and bright red berries. Its natural habitat is understories of oak and beech forests. Common holly is widely used in landscaping in temperate regions. Thick crown and prickly leaves make this plant excellent for hedges.

Corn plant

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”

Rose of sharon

18. Rose of sharon

Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.

English walnut

19. English walnut

The english walnut is a large deciduous tree. There are many superstitious beliefs tied to it, one of which originates from the island of Skopelos: people believe that the planter of a walnut tree will die once the english walnut grows tall enough to see the sea.

Weeping fig

20. Weeping fig

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is an evergreen tree native to Asia and Australia. It is one of the most popular houseplants in the world, known for its elegant, glossy leaves. However, people with allergies should avoid weeping fig, considering that it is a major source of indoor allergens. All parts of the plant are poisonous except the fruits.

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