Looking for a good tree identifcation book

[stevemreid]

I've got a Collins gem book on Trees but im looking for something a bit more concise for the house. I really like the way thistree id website works:

http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/trees/intro2.htm

It ID's your tree by asking if the leaf is linear or roundish, opposite or alternate, toothed or toothless - it makes it really simple to ID what you have.

Ideally the book im looking for would have a similar way to identify the trees/shrubs.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Steve

 

[calibanzwei]

I use Collins Complete Guide to British Trees:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Guide-British-Trees/dp/0007236859

Concise enough for my needs and still fairly transportable - think it gets the thumbs up from a few forumites. If you have a 'The Works' near you, they may have in stock - got mine for a fiver, along with the wildflower one from the same series:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Guide-British-Flowers/dp/0007236840/ref=pd_sim_b_1

 

[demographic]

THIS is the best one I have so far seen, I have a copy of it and its brilliant.

Perhaps not set out the way you want but boy does it cover some ground.

Its not pocket sized though, depends on if that matters to you, I have a Larouse field guide which I feel is a lot better field guide than a Collins Gem, only slightly bigger and much simpler to use with more information as well.

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

Rodger Phillips Trees is good.

I have the Collins Guide and it is quite good, lot's of tree's in there but not to a great depth.

 

[ocean1975]

Just put the collins compete guide to british trees book on my christmas list, looks a great book.I have the compete guide to british wildlife already and that is great book,would love to have them all !!!

 

[scanker]

The Field Studies Council produces some excellent publications. I have a few including the one on trees linked to below - they're excellent to take on the trail - take up hardly any room and are laminated. Not as comprehensive as a book, but it is done in the question style mentioned in the original post.

http://www.field-studies-council.org/publications/pubsinfo.aspx?Code=OP51

 

[Pandabean]

I got a really good book similar to that site where you have to go through some questions to identify the tree or plant.

It does seem very detailed and take s abit of time to get used to.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Flower...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255692580&sr=1-1

 

[Rebel]

Another vote for this one

It comes in hard and soft back. I'd recommend the soft cover myself because it's easier to work with when you're out.

 

[stevemreid]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I've written them down and will visit a few bookshops in the city to check them out if in stock. Will update with the one that I choose.

Thanks again,

Steve

 

[Nice65]

The Owen Johnson book is superb and idents the trees from very good drawings thus avoiding words such as serrate, glabrous etc which many find confusing.

An older book that I have is Alan Mitchells 'Field Guide to Trees Of Britain and Northern Europe' that keys out the tree in the way you describe, ie, buds opposite, greyish green, leaf partially serrate, glabrous etc.

It's worth having them both for their different approach.

 

[HeltorChasca]

Roger Phillips for my "reference book at home". For work and in the field I get on really well with Dorling Kindersley-Trees-Allen J. Coombes. Small, really well laid out with your leaf ID key you like and has most of the trees you will come across. The only one that isn't in there that I've come across is the Goat Willow.