The Complete Book of Trees of Britain & Europe: The Ultimate Reference Guide and Identifier to 550 of the Most Spectacular, Best-Loved and Unusual Trees

[See isbn 9780754834755 for the new updated edition 2020.] This ultimate reference guide and identifier to more than 500 of the most spectacular, best-loved and unusual trees, with over 1750 specially commissioned artworks and photographs Includes a comprehensive collection of indigenous species, as well as those trees collected and established in arboreta by plant collectors, such as oaks, yews, junipers, larches, spruces, magnolias, elms, beeches, chestnuts, birches, alders, limes, hornbeams, poplars and willows Beautiful watercolour artworks show both summer and winter profiles of the trees, together with identifying details such as bark, buds, cones, flowers, leaves and fruit, and maps illustrating in what region each tree can be found Each entry contains details of the tree's growth habits, average height, leaf size and shape, flower and pollination details, texture of bark, needle length, bud development, fruit colouring and dimensions An extensive introduction provides a fascinating insight into the origins of trees, the way they have adapted and evolved, their constituent parts and life cycle, and the different habitats and environments in which the various species are found An expertly written, beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of the most spectacular and best-loved trees of Britain and Europe, this is a fantastic addition to any family reference library This superbly illustrated book is a comprehensive identification reference to pver 500 of the most important and best-known trees of Britan and Europe. It presents all the key indigenous and imported species such as such as oaks, yews, junipers, larches, spruces, magnolias, elms, beeches, chestnuts, birches, alders, limes, hornbeams, poplars and willows. It can be used as a field guide or an educational tool to learn about how trees grow, the environments they grow in, and the species and varieties that proliferate in different areas of this varied continent. A detailed introduction looks at the origins of trees, how they have evolved over time and the ways in which they have adapted to suit the variety of terrains in which they thrive. Each of a tree's constituent parts - bark, trunk, leaves, needles, cones, flowers, and fruit - are looked at in detail and the author discusses the role each plays in the tree's survival. The variety of habitats in which trees proliferate, from temperate forests to mountainous regions, are also described. The book then presents an extensive illustrated encyclopedia of the most common, popular, prolific or unusual trees found in Britain and Europe. Each entry is illustrated with a clear watercolour artwork and includes details such as bark texture and colour, leaf shape and size, flowering time and special features, as well as average height and overall tree shape, so that trees can be easily identified. In addition, there are colour photographic details of many of the trees, and maps illustrate the natural distribution of each one. With over 1750 colour photographs, artworks, illustrations and maps, this encyclopedic resourcebook is perfect for home or school study, and a fantastic addition to any family reference library.

Tony Russell is widely recognized as one of Britain's leading authorities on trees and shrubs. He is a familiar face (and voice) on TV and radio and has written for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, The Garden, Country Life and Country Gardener Magazine.