Christmas Quiz – December 15th 2025 – Identify winter twigs

This week we present a Christmas Quiz. Can you recognise trees in winter from their twigs? Some are easy but others are nearly impossible.

You can try the quiz or simply enjoy the beauty of these exquisite structures, captured so well by Chris Jeffree’s photography. The quiz isn’t easy, and so we’ve given clues to help you.

Figure 1. A Japanese species often planted in parks and gardens.

Figure 2. They look like cones but this is not a conifer.

Figure 3. A common relative of Figure 1; Figure 4. The same as Figure 2; Figure 5. Cigar-shaped buds tell us the genus but this species is useful; Figure 6. Feeling horny?

Figure 7. Look at the hairs and see the wonderful red; Figure 8. Cigars of a native; Figure 9. A native that may be unwell at present.

Figure 10. A new one from down under; Figure 11. Black and popular; Figure 12. Sounds like a cheerful bird.

Figure 13. Same as Figure 12; Figure 14. Birds should like this one; Figure 15. Pigs like its fruits.

Figure 16. My love is like a red one; Figure 17. Goats found in damp places; Figure 18. Makes a nice cordial.

Figure 19. Same as 18. Figure 20. When is an ash not an ash?; Figure 21 Japanese version of 20.

Figure 22. Sweet scented and a restful colour; Figure 23. Bursting flower bud of a common tree chêne pédonculé.

Reference

Poland J (2018) The field key to winter twigs. BSBI.

©John Grace (text)

©Chris Jeffree (images)