Appendix G: List of Native Trees and Shrubs
Choosing the right species of tree and shrub is very important in urban areas where there are restrictions on space. Where possible, always use native species. Below is a list of the trees and shrubs native to Ireland, and advice on the locations to which they are suited.
Common name |
Latin name |
Height (max) |
Suit- able for public open spaces |
Suitable for streets and confined spaces |
Suitable for tubs, containers, raised beds etc. |
Guide to planting: see key below |
Alder |
Alnus glutinosa |
22m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
ADPS |
Alder buckthorn |
Frangula alnus |
6m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
D |
Arbutus (strawberry tree) |
Arbutus unedo |
8m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Not frost hardy |
Ash |
Fraxinus excelsior |
28m |
Yes |
No |
No |
ADIPS |
Aspen |
Populus tremula |
24m |
Yes |
No |
No |
DPSV Not close to buildings or any services |
Bird cherry |
Prunus padus |
14m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
P |
Bramble |
Rubus fructicosus |
2m |
No |
No |
No |
C/H note: tends to be invasive |
Broom |
Cytisus scoparius |
2m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
* |
Burnet rose |
Rosa pimpinellifolia |
2m |
Yes |
No |
Yes, but vigorous |
C/H |
Common (or European) gorse |
Ulex europeaus |
2.5m |
Yes |
No |
In a rural setting |
HV |
Crab apple |
Malus sylvestris |
6m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AHIP |
Dog rose |
Rosa canina |
2m |
Yes |
No |
Yes. Vigorous |
C/H |
Downy birch |
Betual pubescens |
18m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ADIP |
Elder |
Sambucus nigra |
6m |
In hedge |
No |
No |
V |
Guelder rose |
Viburnum opulus |
4.5m |
Yes |
No |
No |
DH |
Hawthorn |
Crataegus monogyna |
9m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
AHIPS |
Hazel |
Corylus avellana |
6m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AHS |
Holly |
Ilex aquifolium |
15m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
AHPS |
Honeysuckle |
Lonicera periclymenum |
climber |
Yes |
On walls |
No |
C |
Ivy |
Hedera helix |
climber |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
C |
Common name |
Latin name |
Height (max) |
Suit-able for public open spaces |
Suitable for streets and confined spaces |
Suitable for tubs, containers, raised beds etc. |
Guide to planting: see key below |
Juniper |
Juniperus communis |
6m |
Yes |
No |
No |
S |
Pedunculate oak |
Quercus robur |
30m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AI only suitable for large spaces |
Privet |
Ligustrum vulgare |
3m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Purging buckthorn |
Rhamnus cathartica |
4.5m |
No |
No |
No |
AHPV |
Rowan or mountain ash |
Sorbus aucuparia |
9m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ADHIP |
Scots pine |
Pinus sylvestris |
24m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AI |
Sessile oak |
Quercus petraea |
30m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AI only suitable for large spaces |
Silver birch |
Betula pendula |
18m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ADIP |
Sloe, blackthorn |
Prunus spinosa |
3m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AHPV |
Spindle |
Euonymous europaeus |
7.5m |
Yes |
No |
No |
H |
Western (or mountain) gorse |
Ulex gallii |
1.5m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
* |
Whitebeam spp. |
Sorbus aria/ S. anglica/S. devoniensis /S.hibernica/S. latifolia/S. rupicola |
12m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
IPS |
Wild cherry |
Prunus avium |
15m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
AHI |
Willow spp. |
Salix spp. |
6m |
Some |
No |
No |
V Not suitable near buildings or services |
Wych elm |
Ulmus glabr |
30m |
Yes |
|
No |
PS |
Yew |
Taxus baccata |
14m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
AIPS |
Guide to Planting Key:
A – Grows in a wide variety of soils D – Tolerates or prefers damp conditions
C – Climber H – Suitable for hedging
I – Suitable as an individual tree P – Tolerates smoke or pollution
S – Tolerates shade V – Invasive
* - Tolerates dry conditions