Wayside and woodland trees : a pocket guide to the British sylva

This compact guide is designed for anyone strolling through the British countryside who wants to put names to the towering trees and larger shrubs they meet. It focuses on practical identification, covering the native species that define the island’s sylva and the long‑established exotics that have become part of our parks and woodlands. The text is written in a clear, conversational style that makes botanical details accessible without requiring specialist training.

The book is illustrated with 175 plates, half of them in colour, combining delicate water‑colour studies with innovative photographs that show each tree in summer and again in winter. Black‑and‑white shots highlight bark texture, bole shape, flowers and fruit, while detailed close‑ups reveal leaf‑buds and seasonal changes. Organized into two sections—indigenous trees and their close relatives, followed by foreign species now naturalised—readers can quickly compare features and deepen their appreciation of Britain’s living landscape.