Forest and woodland trees in Britain

This beautiful book takes a wholly new approach to the description of the thirty-five species of trees which make up ninety per cent of the woodland and forest trees in Britain. The introductory section and illustrated identification key are followed by tree-by-tree information on origins, history, natural range and distribution, growth and management requirements, and uses of the timber. The text is written in a straightforward, non-technical style so as to be accessible to both the general reader and foresters and arboriculturists. The exquisite colour photographs and line drawings are all taken from life and presented as the trees will be seen in nature. They have been specially prepared for this book by the author, and range from vignettes of leaves and shoots which facilitate use of the key, to colour photographs of whole trees, flowers, and fruits, line drawings and winter silhouettes, and some unique photographs of split timber taken after the 1987 and 1990 gales. A glossary of technical terms is included.

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Nonfiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.