Rowan is an elegant tree with a mystical history. Its leaves and berries are a favourite for wildlife in woods and towns alike and is an ideal species for smaller gardens.

Size- Mature trees can grow to 15m in height and can live for up to 200 years.

Where to find it- Native to cooler regions of the northern hemisphere and most common in the UK in the north and west, it often grows in high-altitude locations. It is commonly found in the wild, particularly in the highlands of Scotland, but it is also widely planted as a street or garden tree.

Value to wildlife- The leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of a number of moths, t. Caterpillars of the apple fruit moth feed on the berries.

Flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinating insects, while the berries are a rich source of autumn food for birds, especially the blackbird, mistle thrush, redstart, redwing, song thrush and others.