This delightful book is remarkable from many angles. It identifies and describes 113 British and Irish native trees, in addition to another 190 introduced species and hybrids. Each account is accompanied by a phenomenal series of colour photographs - a visual entrancement in every way.
There is a delicious irony in that there are descriptions of familiar North American trees making this volume a very good reference source for the trees we see at home.
The species coverage is terrific with many colour photographs (3,000 of them, in fact) to highlight and beautify the text.
In addition to the descriptions of individual trees there are extensive sections on leaves, cones, buds, fruit, winter twigs, flowers, predatory insects, fungi, parasites- a complete picture of what makes a tree a tree, and what you need to know to identify them at all seasons of the year.
Knowing is loving, and loving leads to nurture and protection. Or so we might hope. Reality is sometimes a cruel teacher, however!
I have for years been a keen admirer of Oliver Rackham, that erstwhile doyen of English forests, and I have little doubt that he would have been mightily pleased with this volume.
He might even have learned from it, he perhaps would have been validated by it, his praise would have been effusive. The pictures alone would have set off his salivary glands and in his own inimitable way he would have touted its virtues to arborists and tree devotees everywhere.
In my world there is no greater praise than that.
Bravo, Jon Stokes, for a job well done!
Tree of Britain and Ireland - Princeton University Press (WILDGuides)
Jon Stokes
US$24.95 - UK£20.00 - ISBN: 9780691224169
360 pages - 5.88 x 8.25 inches (14.7 x 20.625 cm)
3,000 colour photographs - 270 illustrations
Publication date: USA, 04 June, 2025
UK, 22 April, 2025
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It looks like a fantastic book, David. It is always exciting to read about trees. The color pictures and drawings are very beautiful. Thank you for your review of the book.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Seems like a beautiful book to have, read, look at and study.
ReplyDeleteHello David, a most interesting book about these trees. And about cutting to much trees, it is alarming and sad.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Roos
This would be the sort of tree book I'd like, it makes more sense in ID'ing trees. Thankfully, I can ask my neighbor who is a forester for the area. He makes recommendations for those who wish to have 'healthy' forests.
ReplyDelete...there should be a nice collection of Oaks.
ReplyDeleteJust look at the cover.
DeleteThat's the kind of book that I would love to have! I wonder if there's an APP to recognize the trees...
ReplyDeleteHello from one of those retrograde countries-(and boo hiss about that too!) This looks like a nice guidebook. I remember when we visited Ireland many years ago I picked up a small pocket guide book about birds because I saw so many interesting ones. I still have it. If I ever get back to country anywhere in the UK I shall bring it with me. :) Hoe your having a nice weekend. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteoh my word, that one's jumped the wishlist queue!!! YAM xx
It would be an ideal reference to have in The Grey, YAM.
DeleteThis is a fantastic book, David.
ReplyDeletePeople never learn, they keep cutting down trees, these are the lungs of the earth.
When the trees are gone, people also die from lack of oxygen.
I wish you a nice Sunday.
Greetings, Irma
It would be very useful in mainland Europe, Irma, where many of the trees are also found.
DeleteBeautiful illustrations in this book.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, David. I think i need that book. I know many trees but am always happy to learn about them.
ReplyDeletei'm truly amazed at the price for such an excellent book David and all those illustrations. There was an old poem (in Irish) that we had to learn in grade school when I was a child and it was a lament for all the trees that had been cut down in Ireland (no doubt to make boats and for fuel and housing). The mighty forests that covered the plain gone for ever.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Books are truly amazing value. Someone was telling me recently that for them (a family of four) to go to the movies is over a hundred dollars. Once you have bought the book you can enjoy it forever.
DeleteThis interesting book can help people understand the importance of forests and woodlands.
ReplyDeleteAmong my plentiful supply of guide books, I have books about the trees of North America, Texas, and New Mexico. Lots of overlap, of course. They've been invaluable to me over the years. I'm sure this guide would be equally valuable for travelers to Britain and Ireland and residents there.
ReplyDeleteIt would indeed, Dorothy. Just when you think that field guides can't get any better, they do! The most recent amazing development is the inclusion of QR codes; I have acquired an excellent guide to the birds of Colombia, where by simply pointing your phone at the QR code you are taken to the eBird site for the species.
DeleteIt looks like a really nice book! But it's not just trees that are important. It's also important how the landscape with them is managed. Some people take part in these tree planting excercises, believing it will miraculously help with climate change, and it won't.
ReplyDeleteKiitos kirjaesittelystä. Tuo teos on kaunis jo katselukirjana, mutta lisäksi sisältö on vankkaa asiaa.
ReplyDeleteTrees are so important to our and the world's well being in so many ways, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteYes, they are. And grossly under-appreciated.
DeleteMy tree-loving son would be very interested in this book.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know your son andI like him already!
DeleteOutside of the parks, it seems like bit of woods i my general area, and I'm talking woods much too small to ever get lost in, has signs in front of them "Development Land for Sale". Leave well enough alone. The world is developed enough as it is.
ReplyDeleteTrees add so much beauty to our cultural landscape, apart from being essential biologically of course. "Poems are made by fools like me/ But only God can make a tree" ~ Joyce Kilmer
ReplyDeleteI have books about trees too....
ReplyDeleteA trees in my garden too ;)
Have an interesting week !
Anna
I'm slowly coming to be able to identify trees. I love books like this one that help us to explore the world of trees in a region and to learn more about them.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Continued good luck with learning more.
DeleteI agree with the rest of the crew, this looks like a fascinating book.
ReplyDeleteGreat art illustrations.
ReplyDeletePS
The street sign has the role of attracting passers-by to a cafe.
Definitely one for me David being over here. :-D
ReplyDeleteA wonderful review, David. I would love to have a copy of this book.
ReplyDeleteThey may have it at your local library, Bill, but it would be worthwhile to have your own copy.
DeleteDavid, I think this is a very useful book, popularizes knowledge about trees. I always try to identify the tree I see, he often do not know exactly: is it an alder or a poplar? Beautiful color illustrations in the book. Congratulations on your purchase!
ReplyDeleteSounds and looks like a very useful volume. I can't imagine living without trees.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a fabulous book.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Looks like a great book that would be useful for us!
ReplyDeleteI am signed up to get your posts in my email, but I haven't gotten one for a while and I see that I've missed some!
Otro libro precioso que me encantaría tener. Abrazos.
ReplyDeleteHi David - I know I'm late ... this sounds a very excellent book at this time - because it'll have all the up to date information ... especially the trees that are experiencing die-back ... thanks for bringing this to our 'over the pond' readers - cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete