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

Designed for walkers and nature lovers, this pocket guide offers straightforward keys to recognize the trees and larger shrubs that populate British woods and gardens. It includes both native species and the familiar exotics that have become part of the landscape. The focus is on practical identification for field use.

The guide features 175 plates that blend delicate water‑colour drawings with clear photographs, providing visual shortcuts for identification. A distinctive element is the side‑by‑side summer and winter shots of the same tree, which expose changes in bark texture, leaf shape and overall silhouette. Entries are divided into two sections—native trees first, then naturalised and ornamental introductions—and each includes concise notes on habit, leaf arrangement and typical habitats, complemented by close‑up images of buds, flowers and fruit. Compact enough to fit in a pocket, it becomes a reliable companion for ramblers, gardeners and aspiring naturalists alike.