Top 20 Most Common Trees in Switzerland

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Top 20 Most Common Trees in Switzerland

Switzerland's climate and soil conditions foster the growth of diverse native trees. Among them, European beech, Sycamore, and European ash stand out as emblematic species. These trees hold cultural and ecological significance within the region. They play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, providing habitats for various species, and adding natural beauty to the Swiss landscape. Their presence highlights the rich natural heritage of Switzerland and contributes to its sustainable development.

Most Common Trees

European beech

1. 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.

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.

Sweet cherry

5. 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.

Rose of sharon

6. 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.

Norway spruce

7. 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.

Blackthorn

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a large deciduous shrub species that is also commonly called a sloe. Blackthorn is indigenous to Europe, Asia, and Africa. In Britain, this species is used to make a liquor called sloe gin. In Ireland, its wood is made into walking sticks.

Field maple

Field maple (Acer campestre) is a deciduous flowering plant species native to continental Europe and western Asia. Field maple grows in plains, hills and along rivers. This species is grown as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Its wood is used to make flooring and musical instruments.

Common hornbeam

10. 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.

Apple

Apple is the most widely cultivated tree fruit around the globe. The three top apple-producing countries are China, the United States, and Poland with an economic impact of $3.55 billion in 2017. There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples throughout the world.

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.”

European mountain-ash

13. 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.

Japanese maple

14. Japanese maple

A woody plant native to East Asia, the japanese maple features hand-shaped leaves with five-pointed lobes that resemble the palm of a hand. It has been cultivated for millennia in Japan for bonsai creation. Extracts from the branches and leaves of this plant are used as medicine in Chinese traditional medicine.

Common hawthorn

15. 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.

Oleander

Nerium oleander, colloquially known as oleander, is a shrub or a small tree, known for its majestic pink five-lobed flowers and deep green lanceolate leaves. Oleander is one of the most poisonous popular decorative garden plants, so it is advised to keep small children and pets away from it.

Indian Laurel

17. Indian Laurel

Indian Laurel (Ficus microcarpa) is a fig tree originating in China. The indian Laurel attracts the fig wasp pollinator. In some east Asian cultures, it is believed the indian Laurel is a meeting place for spirits.

Black locust

18. 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.

European spindletree

19. 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.

English walnut

20. 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.

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