British Trees: A photographic guide to every common species (Collins Complete Guide)

This is easily the best book on trees that I have found, and I've tried several. I am very much a tree novice. I maintain a blog that charts the weekly progress of the small woodland and ecological park next to my home. I've been doing well with birds, insects and flowers but have floundered hopelessly when trying to identify trees and shrubs. I have purchaed several books but they have all left me pretty much where I started - dazed and confused. This book is the one. It opened up the whole subject for me and I am now happily identifying and learning about my local trees and shrubs with great confidence. As well as the pages which focus on idenifying and describing the different species (pages 68 - 312) the openeing chapters deal with a range of fascinating and related topics (pages 4 -68). I found these to be of considerable interest and help. Pf particular use were "Basic Tree Biology", "Identifying Trees", "The Ecology of Trees and Woodland", "Winter Twig", "Comparing leaves" and "Comparing bark". The descriptive pages are invaluable and easy to use. The left hand page of each pair of pages shows leaves and fruit details and a textual description, whilst teh right hand page is a selection of photographs showing key diagnostic features. These are not the same for all trees, because one feature may be more distinctive on one than another. As well as detailed photographs of leaves and fruit other features highlighted are flowers, bark, general outline of the tree/shrub and sometimes insects and fungi that may be associated. On pages 64-65 there is a "Places to Visit" list, with web addresses, listing natural woodlands and arboreta that the enthusiast might like to visit. There is a map on the page to show approximate locations. At the end there is a single index where species can be search by both common and latin names. This is a superb book. The build is excellent, the pages are glossy, the photography is top quality and it simply yells professionalism. Both enjoyable and useful, this is by far the best book on the subject that I have found so far.

Very helpful for my ecology

One of the best guides I have come across that will fit in a day pack, very descriptive with good photographic illustrations.

My first impressions of the book, they may change with use, is that it is very good, contains a wealth of information and will complement other tree books I have. Two comments, one specific and one general - the specific one is that some trees illustrated as common yews looks to me to be Irish yews. The second is that I would have preferred more emphasis on the commoner native trees - it is easy for a beginner to be put off by the number of e.g. oaks, when nearly all of those seen in the countryside are likely to be the two natives. A more minor niggle is that the illustrations of just a few of the many insects associated with particular trees takes up space which should be devoted to the trees themselves. In all though, an impressive book which must have taken an enormous effort to prepare.

From just a quick browse through, I agree with all the other reviews, this seems to be a reference book that is **AN ESSENTIAL MUST** for anyone interested in knowing all about Trees, woodland lovers, walkers, land owners and even couch potatoes just wanting a good "Green" read! but especially if intending to work amongst them at a high amateur level! I bought it because I have 10 acres of untamed wilderness, so need to understand and Identify so much more about what's growing before I start the management project! My knowledge is up 100% already, but the brilliance of this book makes me realise that I know even less than I thought, but it also has most of the answers to all those new questions it makes me ask as well! ....and I haven't even taken the book out there yet and looked! This book also provides a lot of incidental information such as Basic Tree Biology, Woodland Ecology, Winter Twig Identification and Bark Recognition amongst so much else, plus species identification and information about the many non-British, non-wild, trees you will normally only find in gardens etc.

I bought this as a Xmas present for my cousin who loves to learn about nature and wildlife when out on her walks. She already had a bird book but wanted one about trees/flowers/shrubs etc. I was looking for a an ‘pocketbook’ guide but couldn’t find one of a typical size with as good reviews as this one. So although this is slightly bigger than a pocket guide (measurements provided on items description), my cousin absolutely LOVES this book for her walks. She said it’s set out beautifully; the images are of great quality and the content is very informative - including info on a lot more than just trees as the title suggests. Very good buy.

I love this book! I wanted to learn more about how to recognise trees with detailed leaves, bark and general information. This book contains all of this and more. I also enjoy watercolour painting and this book will be invaluable for helping me with this too. It is the perfect size to take out with me and pop in a back pack. Will definitely be buying more of these Collins Complete Guides.

This is a smashing book. I wish I could learn it, but I have to take pictures and search!

Està força bé