Five Trees for UK Bushcraft
Spring is in the air and nature is blooming. In this blog we’re going to take a look at five key trees for bushcraft in the UK. We’ll also cover some common bushcraft uses for these trees. As always, feel free to read the entire blog or skip to the section that interests you the most.
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Bushcraft and nature
Unlike what is shown on some popular TV shows, bushcraft is not about overcoming or conquering nature; it is about living in harmony with it. Key to living in harmony with nature is understanding it, particularly when it comes to the trees around you. By knowing the names and uses for the trees which you come into contact with your time in the woods will be much more enjoyable and productive.
Silver Birch
One of the most useful trees when it comes to bushcraft the Silver Birch is easily identified by its white bark. Silver Birch often hybridises with the downy birch, the latter of which is, in terms of the UK, most commonly found in Scotland.
- Bushcraft uses for the Silver Birch
One of the most versatile trees in terms of bushcraft. The Silver Birch can be tapped for refreshment in early spring (for more information about tapping a silver birch read our blog here [link to: How to tap a Silver Birch]. The bark is also an excellent fire lighting resource, to learn more about using birch bark for fire lighting watch our video below.
- Lighting a fire using birch bark
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Hazel
Hazel is native to the UK, when it is not coppiced (as they often are) hazel can reach heights of 12 metres. In ancient mythology, a rod of hazel was used to protect against and ward off evil spirits. Hazel is an incredibly springy wood and can easily be bent into a variety of shapes, which as we shall see, makes it excellent for bushcraft.
- Bushcraft uses for Hazel
Due to the flexible nature of Hazel, the wood is an excellent choice for shelter building. It is also a good choice for making a bow drill, for more information on making a bow drill see our blog Bow Drills: A Beginners Guide to Making and Using One in the UK . Hazel also of course produces Hazelnuts. These edible treats are most commonly harvested in late Autumn and are a good source of energy, with each 100 gram serving equating to around 2,630 kilojoules or 628 kcal.
Alder
Alder is native to Britain although it is also found as far East as Siberia. Alder is known for its role in improving the fertility of the soil in which it grows. This is due to the bacterium found in the roots. This bacterium, Frankia Alni absorbs nitrogen from the air and makes it available to the tree. The tree then provides sugars to the bacterium which it produces through photosynthesis.
- Bushcraft uses for Alder
Due to its tendency to grow in damp conditions, Alder trees are often a good indicator that there are water sources nearby. Alder is also a great wood with which to smoke fish due to the woods subtle smoke flavour and sweetness. Like Hazel, Alder is also a great wood for friction fire lighting.
Common Ash
The Common Ash, also known as the European Ash or simply the Ash is native throughout mainland Europe. When fully grown, Ash trees can grow to heights of 35 metres and live for around 400 years. Ash trees provide homes and/or food for a variety of species such as bullfinches, owls, redstarts as well as a variety of caterpillars and moths.
- Bushcraft uses for Common Ash
Ash trees are often good indicators of wild garlic, providing as they do an airy canopy which enables sunlight to reach the woodland floor. Ash trees make for great firewood and are also a favoured tree for making bows.
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Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a native tree to the UK. The Hawthorn tree is also known as the May-tree, as it flowers in this month. For an interesting pub quiz fact, Hawthorn is the only tree in the UK to be named after the month in which in flowers.
- Bushcraft uses for Hawthorn
In late summer Hawthorn trees produce bright red berries, these berries are edible but are more typically used in conserves – care should be take when eating the berries if you have cardiac issues. The thorns of the Hawthorn tree make excellent fish hooks, while the tree itself makes for excellent firewood.
Join our weekend bushcraft course and learn the art of fire lighting, shelter building, water sourcing and more.
Click here to learn more.
Key pieces of kit
Here are some pieces of kit that you might find useful when out and about in the woods.
Please note that, with the exception of Bear Blades and Bushcraft – A Family Guide: Fun and Adventure in the Great Outdoors, Wildway Bushcraft is not associated with any of the products or manufacturers listed below; we don’t get anything from them if you choose to buy anything.
- Knives
Wildway Bushcraft use Bear Blades.
“Constructed from superb quality D2 steel this knife is ideal for bushcraft and wood crafting. Our most popular knife due to its versatility and functionality, suited to tough daily use in the woods.”
http://bearblades.co.uk/ - Bushcraft – A Family Guide: Fun and Adventure in the Great Outdoors
Whether it is a mini adventure into the woods and countryside, a camping trip or simply exploring your own back garden, it’s hard to get enough outdoors time, so what better way to do that than with the art of bushcraft? This beautifully illustrated book written by Wildway Bushcraft’s John Boe alongside Owen Senior, contains everything that both children and adults need to know to have fun and be safe in the outside world, including instructions on building shelters, foraging, tracking, tying knots, navigation and much more!Buy it on Amazon here - Fallkniven DC4
This diamond/ceramic whetstone is perfect for use in the field.
https://www.fallkniven.com/en/knife/dc4/ - Tarps
Here at Wildway Bushcraft we’re big fans of DD Hammocks and regularly use their 3 x 3 tarp; here’s what DD has to say about it. “ DD Tarp 3×3 offers reliable protection wherever you go. Its 19 reinforced attachment points offer a huge number of setup options, and it’s the tarp of choice for bushcraft & survival schools, the military and countless wild campers worldwide!”
https://www.ddhammocks.com/ - Axe
Copyright Gransfor Bruks
John Boe, owner and founder of Wildway Bushcraft use the Gransfors Bruk Small Forset Axe which weighs in at only 900 gram (2lbs) and is small enough to fit in a rucksack whilst still being powerful enough to do most jobs. https://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/product/gransfors-small-forest-axe/
