Wildflower keys can be hard to get your head around if you aren’t a trained botanist, however, they are well worth having, as the detail of each plant species is listed in minute detail thereby ensuring you can correctly ID a plant – Read more. Vegetative Key to the British Flora The late Alan Mitchell (1922-1995) was an internationally acclaimed dendrologist who came to public notice when his book A Field Guide to the Trees of Britain and Northern Europe was first published by Collins in 1974. In addition to the detailed descriptions and illustrations of bark, seed, and leaf, and well-planned structure, lies a host of information gems' Countryside Voice

This is a must-have book for all plant lovers. Rather than learning new plants one at a time, it is possible to learn them by the hundreds, based on plant family patterns. The title sounds a bit heavy, but it is a stellar book that I can’t recommend highly enough – Read more. Collins Tree Guide Image Right:The Honorable Maynard Greville pictured at Highclere Berkshire in the 1950`s. Victoria Schilling

At The Tree Council we are often asked for our recommendations of useful tree reference books and other tree guides. So, with Christmas on its way, we have put together a reading list of our top 12 books on tree identification, growing and care. We hope you find it useful!

Covering all the tree species found outside the major arboretums, from the olive tree to the eucalyptus, this is one of the most important tree guides to have appeared in the last 20 years. The illustrations are annotated with essential identification features, and the text highlights the most important things to look for to aid fast and accurate identification. There is also coverage of all the species native to Southern Europe. His travels enabled him to find and re-measure trees recorded by JC Loudon in the 1800's, Elwes and Henry 1906-1913, the 1890 and 1930 Conifer Conference Reports by the Royal Horticultural Society and the more recent work of the Hon. Maynard Greville in the 1950's. Heads the internationally renowned Arabella Lennox-Boyd Landscape Design practice which has been designing landscapes around the world for over 40 years.

Forgotten the title or the author of a book? Our BookSleuth is specially designed for you. Visit BookSleuth Freelance expert advising on ancient trees. Jill specialises in old growth, forest, wood pasture and parkland trees.

A freelance writer, broadcaster, lecturer and garden advisor who has enjoyed a distinguished career as plantsman and botanical explorer worldwide. The family home of the Earl's of Rosse at Birr Castle, Co.Offaly, Ireland are the largest gardens in the country and feature thousands of trees and plants propagated from seed that was collected all over the world by three generations. Victoria Schilling worked alongside Alan Mitchell as assistant dendrologist at Alice Holt for many years before Alan retired and together they set up the tree consultancy Green Scene.David More has been a botanical illustrator for many years. His previous books include Collins Gem Trees. Quite simply a stunning work, this book depicts 144 detailed watercolours and descriptions of a wide range of different apples from Beauty of Bath to Egremont Russet. It’s one we often use for details of some useful apple trees. This brand-new field guide to the trees of northern Europe contains some of the finest original tree illustrations ever produced. The introduction contains illustrations of the main leaves, buds, and firs you are likely to find, and these provide the starting point for identification by leading you to a 'key' species.

I am often asked which edible wild plant identification books I recommend. There isn’t a specific edible wild plant ID book available for the UK, so you are left with using wildflower plant ID guides instead. Featuring 80 native and ornamental species, this book gives growing tips, facts, statistics and tree trivia and is illustrated throughout with photography and line drawings. Each tree is detailed with height, shape, fruit, leaves, flowers, bark and more. An ID guide and a practical handbook for growers. A really useful and detailed description of the ecology and natural history of trees, this book providesa comprehensive introduction to all aspects of tree biology. It answers a wide range of important questions about trees and conveys a wealth of useful information.His continuing search for rare and exceptional trees enabled the Forestry Commission to publish the first comprehensive list of Champion Trees which they continued to update until 1994. Alan retired from the Forestry Commission in 1986 and set up a consultancy service Green Scene with Victoria Schilling (then Hallett) before founding the Tree Register in 1988. Alan continued measuring and recording trees on his hand written card index completing records of over 100,000 trees before his death in 1995. Chairman of Trustees. Retired partner in a leading firm of solicitors in the City of London and keen conservationist. Freelance dendrologist. David supports the Trustees and is the Tree Register database manager and volunteer network co-ordinator. As part of the Tree Register partnership with the Woodland Trust he is theHead Verifier for the Ancient Tree Inventory. Registrar (Hon) The former Prince of Wales has a wide variety of interests, enjoys gardening, sports and the performing arts and painting in watercolours.