Spindle is a deciduous native tree, and mature trees grow to 9m and can live for more than 100 years. The leaves are shiny and slightly waxy, and have tiny sharp teeth along the edges. They turn a rich orange-red before falling in Autumn.

Spindle is native to much of Europe and can be found most commonly on the edges of forests and in hedges, scrub and hedgerows. It thrives in chalky soils

The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of moths, including the magpie, spindle ermine and scorched, as well as the holly blue butterfly. The leaves also attract aphids and their predators, (various species of birds!).