Top 20 Most Common Trees in Latvia

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Top 20 Most Common Trees in Latvia

Latvia, known for its diverse environmental conditions, provides an ideal habitat for native trees. With its temperate climate and fertile soils, it nurtures the growth of several emblematic species, including European spindletree, Bird cherry, and European mountain-ash. These trees hold great significance in the local culture and play a vital ecological role in maintaining the region's biodiversity. Their resilience and adaptability highlight their importance in the Latvian landscape.

Most Common Trees

European spindletree

1. European spindletree

The european spindletree is a common garden and park plant due to its beautiful flowering and hardiness. As the name infers, its wood is very hard and can be used to make spindles to spin wool. The fruit of the european spindletree is poisonous and can result in liver damage or death.

Bird cherry

Bird cherry (Prunus padus) is a small deciduous cherry tree in the subgenus Padus. This species is native to Europe, where it is also known as the Mayday tree because of its historical importance in spring (May Day) festivals. The bird cherry is pollinated by bees and flies. The leaves, stems, and fruits of this species can be toxic to some mammals. In the past, the bark of this tree was traditionally placed near doorways as a spiritual gesture to ward off the plague.

Norway maple

3. Norway maple

The norway maple is a tree species native to Europe and West Asia. It is 20 to 30 m tall and has bright green, lobed leaves which turn yellow or red in the autumn. Introduced as an ornamental shade tree in the United States, it is now considered invasive. Outside its northern range, it can be short-lived and susceptible to disease and damage.

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European mountain-ash

4. 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.

Common lilac

5. Common lilac

Common lilac is a shrub native to the Balkan Peninsula that blooms with a fragrant blossom. It grows on rocky terrain and has a suckering habit. The blossoms are used to flavor honey, sugars, food, and other delights and farmed for its fragrant flowers in the spring.

European ash

6. 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.

Scots pine

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a native Eurasian pine plant that grows on nutrient-poor, dry, rocky soils. Given the name, it should come as no surprise that scots pine is the national tree of Scotland. It is also important within the forestry industry due to its use for wood pulp and timber.

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.

Common pear

The common pear is a tree whose fruit is widely popular and grown all over the world. One way this fruit is unique is that it contains hard particles (called stone cells) within in its flesh that provides a gritty feel when eating. Common pear, when properly cared for, can have a life span of 50-75 years.

Common hazel

10. 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.

Sweet cherry

11. 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.

Western serviceberry

12. Western serviceberry

A large shrub with edible berries, the western serviceberry is both beautiful and delicious. Pretty white flowers appear first, followed by green leaves which turn to yellowish red in the fall. Berries appear in late summer and turn a deep blue shade when ripe.

Norway spruce

13. Norway spruce

The fastest-growing of all spruces, the norway spruce (Picea abies) makes for a good roosting spot for owls and hawks. Its wood is used for paper, construction lumber, and musical instruments, and its needles can be used to brew spruce beer. It is also a popular choice for Christmas trees.

Horse Chestnut

14. Horse Chestnut

The horse Chestnut was the tree that Anne Frank mentioned in her diary. While the original tree fell down in 2010, there have been new trees planted around the world from the original seeds. Horse Chestnut 's seeds resemble chestnuts, but they are inedible and toxic.

European aspen

15. European aspen

European aspen (Populus tremula) is a poplar tree species native to Europe, Asia, and Iceland. It's a dioecious species, which means that individual flowers are either female or male. However, only flowers of a single-sex are found on each individual plant. The tree depends on the wind for pollination.

Staghorn sumac

16. Staghorn sumac

The dried bobs of the staghorn sumac are occasionally used by beekeepers for their smokers. Except for the roots, all parts of the plant can be used to make dyes or dye mordants; the tannins in the sap help prevent the dye colors from fading. Luna moth caterpillars feed on Rhus typhina, and pheasants and wild turkeys pick at the fruits.

English oak

17. 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.

Small-leaved lime

18. Small-leaved lime

Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) is a deciduous tree that is cultivated all over the world as an ornamental plant in parks and avenues. Honeybees like to visit the flowers; monofloral honey made from this species is considered to be very nutritious. British ship outfitters used small-leaved lime wood for onboard furniture; French shipwrights thought the weak wood was used for shipbuilding and introduced the epithet, "limey," for British people.

European crab apple

19. European crab apple

European crab apple (Malus sylvestris) is a plant species that can live to be one hundred years old. European crab apple is native to Europe and its latin name Malus sylvestris means forest apple. Caterpillars of the twin-spotted sphinx feed on the leaves of european crab apple. This species has been considered an important ancestor of the domestic apple.

Silver birch

20. 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.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

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Most Common Fruits

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Most Common Weeds

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

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Most Common Plants

In Latvia, you can find Greater celandine, Common yarrow, European spindletree, Bird cherry, Common daisy, and more! There are 50 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

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