Tree identification

[jackcbr]

So I'm not a botanist and didn't spend too much time in school listening to what they taught me about the countryside as it was an inner city school. But does anyone know a good resource to learn how to identify trees in the UK. Either a good website or affordable books. Kinda need a simple spotters guide, very basic to start with.

I know you guys won't be short on ideas

 

[Harvestman]

I have 2 books that I routinely use. The Collins Pocket Guide: Trees of Britain and Northern Europe (ISBN 0002198576), and the Eyewitness Handbook: Trees (ISBN 0751310034). Which one is best depends upon your personal preference, and the tree that you are trying to identify.

I tend to go with the Collins one first, because it is a bit smaller and hence more portable. The Eyewitness is a hardback.

For on line resources, try the Woodland Trust, Forestry Commission, or the National Botanic Gardens.

You could also look up your local Wildlife Trust and see if they are running any tree identification courses, which has the advantage of concentrating on the species that are common in your local area. Cost will probably be approx £10, half that if you are a member.

I'm sure other people will suggest other resources.

 

[calibanzwei]

Personally, I use this one Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species - not the smallest, but very concise for it's size.

 

[Shewie]

This is a good one to get you started ...

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

 

[dwardo]

This is a good one to get you started ...

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

Another vote for the above website

 

[stickler]

There's a website I've used before, which uses a diminishing routine of questions about leaves and their format, to identify trees. It's brilliant!

But I can't find that I've stored it on this lappy! If I have time tomorrow I'll look around and post again.

Stickler

 

[locum76]

This is a good one to get you started ...

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

cheers for that link Rich. The site looks useful.

 

[Kerne]

Some good stuff here:

http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/55Treeidentification_index.htm

Lots of illustrations and useful pics.

 

[jackcbr]

Personally, I use this one Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species - not the smallest, but very concise for it's size.

Picked that one up this week for £3 in The Works Crawley. Right chuffed with that. Will be spending some time online checking out these other websites.

Cheers Guys, you never fail me.