Glossary

Welcome to the Forest of Avon glossary

Your handy guide to understanding the world of trees, woodland management, and the health and wellbeing benefits of nature. From tree health to wildlife, and the positive impacts of nature prescribing, our glossary covers essential terms in a friendly, easy-to-understand way.

A

Arboreal

Fancy word for anything to do with trees.

Ancient Woodland

Really old woods that have been around since at least 1600. They’re super special and packed with wildlife.

Ash Dieback

An airborne disease that’s killing ash trees all over the UK.

Arborist

A tree doctor; the go-to person for tree health and care.

B

Biodiversity

Loads of different plants, fungi and animals living together.

Bole

The trunk of a tree; the bit that holds it all up.

Brash

The small branches and twigs left over after cutting down trees.

C

Canopy

The top layer of a forest which holds the majority of leaves.

Coppicing

Cutting trees down to their base to let them grow back again.

Conifer

Trees with needles instead of leaves, like pines and firs.

D

Deciduous

Trees that drop their leaves every autumn, like oaks and maples.

Dendrology

The study of trees; a fancy word for tree science.

Deadwood

Fallen branches or trees left to rot, perfect for all sorts of bugs, fungi and other creatures.

E

Ecosystem

All the living things in an area and the ways they work together and support each other.

Epiphyte

Plants that grow on other plants.

Evergreen

Trees that keep their leaves all year round, like holly and pine.

F

Forestry Commission

The people in charge of looking after UK’s public woods.

Felling

Cutting down trees. Usually for woodland management or timber.

Foraging

Looking for and harvesting wild food like berries and mushrooms. Best done with an expert.

G

Glade

An open space in the woods

Grafting

Joining two plants together so they grow as one. Useful for fruit trees!

H

Habitat

Where a plant or animal lives; its home.

Hedgerow

A line of shrubs or trees that acts like a fence and valuable homes and highways for wildlife moving around the country.

Heritage Tree

An old tree with a lot of history or special features.

I

Invasive Species

Non-native plants or animals that take over and threaten ecosystems.

Ivy

A climbing plant that often grows on trees and buildings.

L

Leaf Litter

The fallen leaves on the forest floor, great for bugs and plants.

Lichen

A mix of fungi and algae that grows on trees and rocks.

M

Managed Woodland

Woods looked after by people to keep them healthy and useful.

Mast Year

A year when trees produce large quantities of seeds and nuts.

Mulch

Stuff like leaves or bark spread around plants to provide food, retain water, keep down weeds and generally help them grow.

N

Nectar

Sweet liquid from flowers that bees and butterflies love.

Native Species

Plants or animals that naturally occur in a location.

Nature Prescribing

Doctors recommending time in nature to help you feel better.

O

Old Growth

Really old trees that haven’t been disturbed much by humans.

Orchard

A place where fruit trees are grown.

P

Pollarding

Cutting the tops off trees to make them grow back thicker.

Q

Quercus

The Latin name for oak trees.

R

Reforestation

Planting new trees where old ones were cut down.

Rot

Decay in trees; nature’s recycling system.

S

Sapling

A young tree.

Sustainable Forestry

Managing woods so they can keep growing forever.

Squirrel Dray

A squirrel’s nest; a cozy spot up in the trees.

T

Thinning

Removing some trees to give the remaining ones more space and light.

Tree Surgeon

Another name for an arborist; someone who takes care of trees.

U

Understory

The layer of vegetation under the main canopy of the forest.

Urban Woodland

Trees and woods in cities and towns.

V

Veteran Tree

An old tree with a lot of character and history.

W

Wildlife Corridor

A natural pathway that lets animals move between habitats safely. Hedges are great examples.

Woodland Trust

A charity that protects and plants UK woods.

X

Xylem

The part of the tree that moves water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

Y

Yew

A long-living tree often found in old churchyards, associated with myths and legends.

Z

Zone of Protection

Areas around valuable trees where no disturbance is allowed.

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