We are greatly blessed in the UK with a huge amount of trees. We had a lot more, in fact the entire island was forest, but from the Mesolithic period we’ve cut them down and kept them controlled. Our mesolithic ancestors were beginning to move out of the cave and needed materials for building and warmth. Trees proved the answers. One factor about our trees is that we have two types. There is the older variety the Gymnosperm and then there is the younger but more numerous Angiosperm. How can you tell the difference? This Timber Merchants Southampton based supplier could give you a few ideas.

At one time the world was full of Gymnosperms. They became the most dominant tree type as the seed they used, a cone like variety, were able to use the many mosses around to find a perfect bed to grow in. You can tell which tree is a Gymnosperm in two ways. The best example of the seed is that of the pine cone. Evergreen trees like pines, cedars and spruces are all gymnosperms that never lose their leaves.

Angiosperms used flowers and fruit to advance their species. Birds and insects were attracted to the flowers and carried the seeds far and wide. Angiosperms are deciduous, they drop their leaves in the autumn and they come back in the winter. Examples are apple, Oak and willow.