A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Another superb book from Archie!, 14 Jan 2008
This is an exceptional book, containing superb photographs beautifully reproduced. Archie Miles is a well-known photographer with a penchant for trees, with previous publications such as The Trees That Made Britain and Silva, and this latest offering continues in the same vein. His photographic work is technically faultless, combining an intimate knowledge and passion of the subject with superb, crisp, beautifully-lit pictures of the whole range of British trees shown nicely in their respective environments. Many of the locations have to remain secret, as they're on private land. But the other locations are listed in a comprehensive Gazetteer, which even tells you how easy it is to reach them on foot. I hate the term "Coffee Table Book", as it implies the book will sit there looking beautiful but mostly un-read. But be sure if you love trees and know the difference between mundane and exceptional photography, then this book will stay on your coffee table for years, and you'll struggle to put it down!

A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Another superb book from Archie!, 14 Jan 2008
This is an exceptional book, containing superb photographs beautifully reproduced. Archie Miles is a well-known photographer with a penchant for trees, with previous publications such as The Trees That Made Britain and Silva, and this latest offering continues in the same vein. His photographic work is technically faultless, combining an intimate knowledge and passion of the subject with superb, crisp, beautifully-lit pictures of the whole range of British trees shown nicely in their respective environments. Many of the locations have to remain secret, as they're on private land. But the other locations are listed in a comprehensive Gazetteer, which even tells you how easy it is to reach them on foot. I hate the term "Coffee Table Book", as it implies the book will sit there looking beautiful but mostly un-read. But be sure if you love trees and know the difference between mundane and exceptional photography, then this book will stay on your coffee table for years, and you'll struggle to put it down!

The Tree and Shrub Expert , 28 Aug 2008
Another book that I wouldnt know what to do with out it, I have looked to buy many trees in the past that have a great write up but after reading this book it will say; Not for the small garden or shelter fronn winds etc.
A lot of information but also very easy ti understand.
I keep this book very close to hand and have taken it with me to many peoples gardesn to help identify trees.
A must for me when it comes to tree's location and pruning if any.
I had a tree with an unusal bark feature but I soon found the cause.
A must have book for anyone with 1 or more tree's in the garden.

The Tree & Shrub Expert by D G Hessayon, 01 Jun 2006
I found this book really helpful with lots of illustrations and easily understood information about lots of trees and shrubs. I managed to identify several of my shrubs that I did not know the name of, from the illustrations, as there are some quite unusual ones there. My only wish would be that the book was in the same format, but dealing with flowering shrubs only and twice as many of them. Overall though an excellent book.

An amateur gardener from Surrey.


Excellent for beginners and experts alike, 08 Apr 2001
I borrowed a couple of books in the series a few years ago when we first started our garden. They really are excellent value, and it's much easier to garden with them than without. I've only ever seen them in garden centres so far, so I'm well-chuffed that they've appeared on Amazon. Now I just have to persuade people to give me the ones I want as presents. Wahey!

A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Another superb book from Archie!, 14 Jan 2008
This is an exceptional book, containing superb photographs beautifully reproduced. Archie Miles is a well-known photographer with a penchant for trees, with previous publications such as The Trees That Made Britain and Silva, and this latest offering continues in the same vein. His photographic work is technically faultless, combining an intimate knowledge and passion of the subject with superb, crisp, beautifully-lit pictures of the whole range of British trees shown nicely in their respective environments. Many of the locations have to remain secret, as they're on private land. But the other locations are listed in a comprehensive Gazetteer, which even tells you how easy it is to reach them on foot. I hate the term "Coffee Table Book", as it implies the book will sit there looking beautiful but mostly un-read. But be sure if you love trees and know the difference between mundane and exceptional photography, then this book will stay on your coffee table for years, and you'll struggle to put it down!

The Tree and Shrub Expert , 28 Aug 2008
Another book that I wouldnt know what to do with out it, I have looked to buy many trees in the past that have a great write up but after reading this book it will say; Not for the small garden or shelter fronn winds etc.
A lot of information but also very easy ti understand.
I keep this book very close to hand and have taken it with me to many peoples gardesn to help identify trees.
A must for me when it comes to tree's location and pruning if any.
I had a tree with an unusal bark feature but I soon found the cause.
A must have book for anyone with 1 or more tree's in the garden.

The Tree & Shrub Expert by D G Hessayon, 01 Jun 2006
I found this book really helpful with lots of illustrations and easily understood information about lots of trees and shrubs. I managed to identify several of my shrubs that I did not know the name of, from the illustrations, as there are some quite unusual ones there. My only wish would be that the book was in the same format, but dealing with flowering shrubs only and twice as many of them. Overall though an excellent book.

An amateur gardener from Surrey.


Excellent for beginners and experts alike, 08 Apr 2001
I borrowed a couple of books in the series a few years ago when we first started our garden. They really are excellent value, and it's much easier to garden with them than without. I've only ever seen them in garden centres so far, so I'm well-chuffed that they've appeared on Amazon. Now I just have to persuade people to give me the ones I want as presents. Wahey!

The "must have" bonsai book!, 18 May 2002
Whether a newcomer or a more experienced bonsai stylist this book has it all and is an excellent guide to individual species with advice on feeding, watering, styles,location etc.All written in an easy to follow and helpful way.
If you only buy one bonsai book buy this one.

Excellent book from beginners to intermediates, 10 Jul 1999
This is the first book I bought on Bonsai, and I refer to this book everytime I have the need. Good, clear definitions and helpful diagrams provide the basis towards understanding the Art of Bonsai.

Includes Botanical, Common Names, the different cultivation methods (ie sun,watering,pruning etc).. Well done, Harry Tomlinson..

A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Another superb book from Archie!, 14 Jan 2008
This is an exceptional book, containing superb photographs beautifully reproduced. Archie Miles is a well-known photographer with a penchant for trees, with previous publications such as The Trees That Made Britain and Silva, and this latest offering continues in the same vein. His photographic work is technically faultless, combining an intimate knowledge and passion of the subject with superb, crisp, beautifully-lit pictures of the whole range of British trees shown nicely in their respective environments. Many of the locations have to remain secret, as they're on private land. But the other locations are listed in a comprehensive Gazetteer, which even tells you how easy it is to reach them on foot. I hate the term "Coffee Table Book", as it implies the book will sit there looking beautiful but mostly un-read. But be sure if you love trees and know the difference between mundane and exceptional photography, then this book will stay on your coffee table for years, and you'll struggle to put it down!

The Tree and Shrub Expert , 28 Aug 2008
Another book that I wouldnt know what to do with out it, I have looked to buy many trees in the past that have a great write up but after reading this book it will say; Not for the small garden or shelter fronn winds etc.
A lot of information but also very easy ti understand.
I keep this book very close to hand and have taken it with me to many peoples gardesn to help identify trees.
A must for me when it comes to tree's location and pruning if any.
I had a tree with an unusal bark feature but I soon found the cause.
A must have book for anyone with 1 or more tree's in the garden.

The Tree & Shrub Expert by D G Hessayon, 01 Jun 2006
I found this book really helpful with lots of illustrations and easily understood information about lots of trees and shrubs. I managed to identify several of my shrubs that I did not know the name of, from the illustrations, as there are some quite unusual ones there. My only wish would be that the book was in the same format, but dealing with flowering shrubs only and twice as many of them. Overall though an excellent book.

An amateur gardener from Surrey.


Excellent for beginners and experts alike, 08 Apr 2001
I borrowed a couple of books in the series a few years ago when we first started our garden. They really are excellent value, and it's much easier to garden with them than without. I've only ever seen them in garden centres so far, so I'm well-chuffed that they've appeared on Amazon. Now I just have to persuade people to give me the ones I want as presents. Wahey!

The "must have" bonsai book!, 18 May 2002
Whether a newcomer or a more experienced bonsai stylist this book has it all and is an excellent guide to individual species with advice on feeding, watering, styles,location etc.All written in an easy to follow and helpful way.
If you only buy one bonsai book buy this one.

Excellent book from beginners to intermediates, 10 Jul 1999
This is the first book I bought on Bonsai, and I refer to this book everytime I have the need. Good, clear definitions and helpful diagrams provide the basis towards understanding the Art of Bonsai.

Includes Botanical, Common Names, the different cultivation methods (ie sun,watering,pruning etc).. Well done, Harry Tomlinson..

Root and Branch, 12 Oct 2008
I recall hearing Richard Mabey discussing this book on a radio show, before it was published and thinking its premise: collecting contibutors' personal experiences of British plant life, seemed rather uninspired. Surely this kind of thing has been done to death? Nature magazine columns have been filled for years with people writing accounts of things they have seen in the British countryside.

When it was published, I was further put off by the high price of the book.

I was completely wrong on both counts, the price, when the size, scope and quality of the book are considered, seems more than reasonable. As to the premise of the work, Richard Mabey, a genius writer in my opinion, pulls all the various accounts from amateur contributors together into a cohesive and coherent whole, that manages to maintain the same well mannered and good humoured tone throughout its long length.

It is possible to read the book piecemeal, picking out species that interest you specially , but I feel reading it from cover to cover best allows the reader to appreciate what the author has achieved.

This is not an identification guide, although the photographs are of top quality, and the amount of space devoted to each species varies wildly, but the "Flora" succeeds in its aim to be a folk history rather than purely a Natural History work.

Beware of books that may seem to continue this work, e.g."Fauna Britannica", which do not, in fact, have much in common with this fine volume.

mistitled but fun, 22 Sep 2007
It is true that this has to be one of the worse titled books of all time. A FLORA in any sense here should be an identification guide and it isn't that at all - it is a personal exploration of various plants concentrating not necessarily on the most important but on those for which the author has an affection for or simply information on. The main interests are folklore and distribution - industry and use and even literature get short shrift, oddly. It is true too that plant introductions are widely covered, but the distinction in terms of salience would be rather misleading (do we miss out horse-chstnut?...). The joy of this book which frankly does NOT look as though it was twenty years (flap) in the making is the writing and out of the way sources Mabey has dug up and in the feel of the book. A strange bestseller - but not to be dismissed.

Serious misdescription, 23 Aug 2007
Flora Britannica may be a fine book for what it is, as an essay or encyclopedia about British plants, but it is NOT what the title and description clearly imply - a comprehensive identification guide. I myself was misled by this, and indeed by the uncritical acceptance of this blatant misrepresentation by reviewers, and ordered a copy, only to find on opening it that it wasn't at all the comprehensive identification guide that I wanted - and so I'm returning it. A slapped wrist for the publisher, presumably the author, and for Amazon for not checking that the book contents match the meaning of the title and description of the work!

Publishers of nature books generally are being given far too much licence to misrepresent certain books in such a way - such as the Collins "Complete" guides, some of which cannot possibly be anything like complete.

Not for the serious horticulturist, 15 Oct 2004
I was thinking for some positives to write on this book and not much came to mind. It is a perfectly fine book. However the name flora brittanica indicates the plants in this book ought to be indiginous to this land but a great number of them are not. So the author spends time telling us about plants that have been brought over here in the last 100 - 200 years which is of no interest to anyone who is interested in FLORA BRITTANICA. Consequently what could have been a book containing a greater source of information on the fewer number of truly native species becomes a book with little information on a grater number of introduced species. Some of our native species aren't even worthy of a photograph where as japanese knotweed gets 2 photographs all because some idiot brought the wretched plant over here a few hundred years ago because he thought it was decorative. The explanation that goes with (most) the plants is largely centered around ancient beliefs about its uses. Which is o.k to the casual reader but doesn't really interest me. I would have liked to have seen which animals and wildlife benifited from each plant and more about the enviroment the plants naturally inhabit.

A good book overall, 04 Jun 2003
This is a very good encyclopedia, with a lot of information about the history and uses of the various plants found in Britain. My only criticism is that the pictures show the plants in their natural habitat rather than close up. This means it is sometimes difficult to identify the plant from the picture. After saying that, this book is not a hady field guide that you would carry round anyway. It being 400+ pages.
As a home fererence work, I can reccomend it, and I have spent ages browsing through it's pages discovering interesting things about the plants that are all arround us.

Paul

A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Another superb book from Archie!, 14 Jan 2008
This is an exceptional book, containing superb photographs beautifully reproduced. Archie Miles is a well-known photographer with a penchant for trees, with previous publications such as The Trees That Made Britain and Silva, and this latest offering continues in the same vein. His photographic work is technically faultless, combining an intimate knowledge and passion of the subject with superb, crisp, beautifully-lit pictures of the whole range of British trees shown nicely in their respective environments. Many of the locations have to remain secret, as they're on private land. But the other locations are listed in a comprehensive Gazetteer, which even tells you how easy it is to reach them on foot. I hate the term "Coffee Table Book", as it implies the book will sit there looking beautiful but mostly un-read. But be sure if you love trees and know the difference between mundane and exceptional photography, then this book will stay on your coffee table for years, and you'll struggle to put it down!

The Tree and Shrub Expert , 28 Aug 2008
Another book that I wouldnt know what to do with out it, I have looked to buy many trees in the past that have a great write up but after reading this book it will say; Not for the small garden or shelter fronn winds etc.
A lot of information but also very easy ti understand.
I keep this book very close to hand and have taken it with me to many peoples gardesn to help identify trees.
A must for me when it comes to tree's location and pruning if any.
I had a tree with an unusal bark feature but I soon found the cause.
A must have book for anyone with 1 or more tree's in the garden.

The Tree & Shrub Expert by D G Hessayon, 01 Jun 2006
I found this book really helpful with lots of illustrations and easily understood information about lots of trees and shrubs. I managed to identify several of my shrubs that I did not know the name of, from the illustrations, as there are some quite unusual ones there. My only wish would be that the book was in the same format, but dealing with flowering shrubs only and twice as many of them. Overall though an excellent book.

An amateur gardener from Surrey.


Excellent for beginners and experts alike, 08 Apr 2001
I borrowed a couple of books in the series a few years ago when we first started our garden. They really are excellent value, and it's much easier to garden with them than without. I've only ever seen them in garden centres so far, so I'm well-chuffed that they've appeared on Amazon. Now I just have to persuade people to give me the ones I want as presents. Wahey!

The "must have" bonsai book!, 18 May 2002
Whether a newcomer or a more experienced bonsai stylist this book has it all and is an excellent guide to individual species with advice on feeding, watering, styles,location etc.All written in an easy to follow and helpful way.
If you only buy one bonsai book buy this one.

Excellent book from beginners to intermediates, 10 Jul 1999
This is the first book I bought on Bonsai, and I refer to this book everytime I have the need. Good, clear definitions and helpful diagrams provide the basis towards understanding the Art of Bonsai.

Includes Botanical, Common Names, the different cultivation methods (ie sun,watering,pruning etc).. Well done, Harry Tomlinson..

Root and Branch, 12 Oct 2008
I recall hearing Richard Mabey discussing this book on a radio show, before it was published and thinking its premise: collecting contibutors' personal experiences of British plant life, seemed rather uninspired. Surely this kind of thing has been done to death? Nature magazine columns have been filled for years with people writing accounts of things they have seen in the British countryside.

When it was published, I was further put off by the high price of the book.

I was completely wrong on both counts, the price, when the size, scope and quality of the book are considered, seems more than reasonable. As to the premise of the work, Richard Mabey, a genius writer in my opinion, pulls all the various accounts from amateur contributors together into a cohesive and coherent whole, that manages to maintain the same well mannered and good humoured tone throughout its long length.

It is possible to read the book piecemeal, picking out species that interest you specially , but I feel reading it from cover to cover best allows the reader to appreciate what the author has achieved.

This is not an identification guide, although the photographs are of top quality, and the amount of space devoted to each species varies wildly, but the "Flora" succeeds in its aim to be a folk history rather than purely a Natural History work.

Beware of books that may seem to continue this work, e.g."Fauna Britannica", which do not, in fact, have much in common with this fine volume.

mistitled but fun, 22 Sep 2007
It is true that this has to be one of the worse titled books of all time. A FLORA in any sense here should be an identification guide and it isn't that at all - it is a personal exploration of various plants concentrating not necessarily on the most important but on those for which the author has an affection for or simply information on. The main interests are folklore and distribution - industry and use and even literature get short shrift, oddly. It is true too that plant introductions are widely covered, but the distinction in terms of salience would be rather misleading (do we miss out horse-chstnut?...). The joy of this book which frankly does NOT look as though it was twenty years (flap) in the making is the writing and out of the way sources Mabey has dug up and in the feel of the book. A strange bestseller - but not to be dismissed.

Serious misdescription, 23 Aug 2007
Flora Britannica may be a fine book for what it is, as an essay or encyclopedia about British plants, but it is NOT what the title and description clearly imply - a comprehensive identification guide. I myself was misled by this, and indeed by the uncritical acceptance of this blatant misrepresentation by reviewers, and ordered a copy, only to find on opening it that it wasn't at all the comprehensive identification guide that I wanted - and so I'm returning it. A slapped wrist for the publisher, presumably the author, and for Amazon for not checking that the book contents match the meaning of the title and description of the work!

Publishers of nature books generally are being given far too much licence to misrepresent certain books in such a way - such as the Collins "Complete" guides, some of which cannot possibly be anything like complete.

Not for the serious horticulturist, 15 Oct 2004
I was thinking for some positives to write on this book and not much came to mind. It is a perfectly fine book. However the name flora brittanica indicates the plants in this book ought to be indiginous to this land but a great number of them are not. So the author spends time telling us about plants that have been brought over here in the last 100 - 200 years which is of no interest to anyone who is interested in FLORA BRITTANICA. Consequently what could have been a book containing a greater source of information on the fewer number of truly native species becomes a book with little information on a grater number of introduced species. Some of our native species aren't even worthy of a photograph where as japanese knotweed gets 2 photographs all because some idiot brought the wretched plant over here a few hundred years ago because he thought it was decorative. The explanation that goes with (most) the plants is largely centered around ancient beliefs about its uses. Which is o.k to the casual reader but doesn't really interest me. I would have liked to have seen which animals and wildlife benifited from each plant and more about the enviroment the plants naturally inhabit.

A good book overall, 04 Jun 2003
This is a very good encyclopedia, with a lot of information about the history and uses of the various plants found in Britain. My only criticism is that the pictures show the plants in their natural habitat rather than close up. This means it is sometimes difficult to identify the plant from the picture. After saying that, this book is not a hady field guide that you would carry round anyway. It being 400+ pages.
As a home fererence work, I can reccomend it, and I have spent ages browsing through it's pages discovering interesting things about the plants that are all arround us.

Paul

Compulsory Purchase for eco-friendly gardeners!!!, 21 Nov 2007
Very readable, a simple no frills book that is easy to follow, informative, fascinating and eco-friendly. Who knew you could do so much with a nettle, I just thought they were a painful weed until I read this.

I was amazed and enlightened!, 04 Aug 2006
After reading this book by either dipping in to seek what you wish to know - or from cover-to-cover - you will be intrigued and delighted!

It is, quite simply, the definitive guide to that much-maligned plant: the nettle.

This book has become invaluable to me in my work of complementary therapy. It has joined the many excellent books that I suggest to my clients, if they seek alternative remedies that work.

I have no doubt that whatever interests you have - you will love this book and its priceless information.

I was amazed and enlightened!, 23 Jul 2006
After reading this book by either dipping in to seek what you wish to know - or from cover-to-cover - you will be intrigued and delighted!

It is, quite simply, the definitive guide to that much-maligned plant: the nettle.

This book has become invaluable to me in my work of complementary therapy. It has joined the many excellent books that I suggest to my clients, if they seek alternative remedies that work.

I have no doubt that whatever interests you have - you will love this book and its priceless information.


I had no idea....., 02 Jun 2006
I am an alternative healer and have known for some time that stinging nettles can be put to a number of uses, but this book has been a real eye-opener. It's written in a friendly chatty style, at times funny, but all the 101 uses are quite valid. Some are historical but many can still be used today. I have a whole new respect for this amazing plant and am already using it more - for myself as well. If you're interested in the use of plants this book is just fascinating. I keep wanting to tell people bits from it - "Did you know..."! It would also make a great gift for a gardener who thinks of the nettle merely as a weed!

A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Another superb book from Archie!, 14 Jan 2008
This is an exceptional book, containing superb photographs beautifully reproduced. Archie Miles is a well-known photographer with a penchant for trees, with previous publications such as The Trees That Made Britain and Silva, and this latest offering continues in the same vein. His photographic work is technically faultless, combining an intimate knowledge and passion of the subject with superb, crisp, beautifully-lit pictures of the whole range of British trees shown nicely in their respective environments. Many of the locations have to remain secret, as they're on private land. But the other locations are listed in a comprehensive Gazetteer, which even tells you how easy it is to reach them on foot. I hate the term "Coffee Table Book", as it implies the book will sit there looking beautiful but mostly un-read. But be sure if you love trees and know the difference between mundane and exceptional photography, then this book will stay on your coffee table for years, and you'll struggle to put it down!

The Tree and Shrub Expert , 28 Aug 2008
Another book that I wouldnt know what to do with out it, I have looked to buy many trees in the past that have a great write up but after reading this book it will say; Not for the small garden or shelter fronn winds etc.
A lot of information but also very easy ti understand.
I keep this book very close to hand and have taken it with me to many peoples gardesn to help identify trees.
A must for me when it comes to tree's location and pruning if any.
I had a tree with an unusal bark feature but I soon found the cause.
A must have book for anyone with 1 or more tree's in the garden.

The Tree & Shrub Expert by D G Hessayon, 01 Jun 2006
I found this book really helpful with lots of illustrations and easily understood information about lots of trees and shrubs. I managed to identify several of my shrubs that I did not know the name of, from the illustrations, as there are some quite unusual ones there. My only wish would be that the book was in the same format, but dealing with flowering shrubs only and twice as many of them. Overall though an excellent book.

An amateur gardener from Surrey.


Excellent for beginners and experts alike, 08 Apr 2001
I borrowed a couple of books in the series a few years ago when we first started our garden. They really are excellent value, and it's much easier to garden with them than without. I've only ever seen them in garden centres so far, so I'm well-chuffed that they've appeared on Amazon. Now I just have to persuade people to give me the ones I want as presents. Wahey!

The "must have" bonsai book!, 18 May 2002
Whether a newcomer or a more experienced bonsai stylist this book has it all and is an excellent guide to individual species with advice on feeding, watering, styles,location etc.All written in an easy to follow and helpful way.
If you only buy one bonsai book buy this one.

Excellent book from beginners to intermediates, 10 Jul 1999
This is the first book I bought on Bonsai, and I refer to this book everytime I have the need. Good, clear definitions and helpful diagrams provide the basis towards understanding the Art of Bonsai.

Includes Botanical, Common Names, the different cultivation methods (ie sun,watering,pruning etc).. Well done, Harry Tomlinson..

Root and Branch, 12 Oct 2008
I recall hearing Richard Mabey discussing this book on a radio show, before it was published and thinking its premise: collecting contibutors' personal experiences of British plant life, seemed rather uninspired. Surely this kind of thing has been done to death? Nature magazine columns have been filled for years with people writing accounts of things they have seen in the British countryside.

When it was published, I was further put off by the high price of the book.

I was completely wrong on both counts, the price, when the size, scope and quality of the book are considered, seems more than reasonable. As to the premise of the work, Richard Mabey, a genius writer in my opinion, pulls all the various accounts from amateur contributors together into a cohesive and coherent whole, that manages to maintain the same well mannered and good humoured tone throughout its long length.

It is possible to read the book piecemeal, picking out species that interest you specially , but I feel reading it from cover to cover best allows the reader to appreciate what the author has achieved.

This is not an identification guide, although the photographs are of top quality, and the amount of space devoted to each species varies wildly, but the "Flora" succeeds in its aim to be a folk history rather than purely a Natural History work.

Beware of books that may seem to continue this work, e.g."Fauna Britannica", which do not, in fact, have much in common with this fine volume.

mistitled but fun, 22 Sep 2007
It is true that this has to be one of the worse titled books of all time. A FLORA in any sense here should be an identification guide and it isn't that at all - it is a personal exploration of various plants concentrating not necessarily on the most important but on those for which the author has an affection for or simply information on. The main interests are folklore and distribution - industry and use and even literature get short shrift, oddly. It is true too that plant introductions are widely covered, but the distinction in terms of salience would be rather misleading (do we miss out horse-chstnut?...). The joy of this book which frankly does NOT look as though it was twenty years (flap) in the making is the writing and out of the way sources Mabey has dug up and in the feel of the book. A strange bestseller - but not to be dismissed.

Serious misdescription, 23 Aug 2007
Flora Britannica may be a fine book for what it is, as an essay or encyclopedia about British plants, but it is NOT what the title and description clearly imply - a comprehensive identification guide. I myself was misled by this, and indeed by the uncritical acceptance of this blatant misrepresentation by reviewers, and ordered a copy, only to find on opening it that it wasn't at all the comprehensive identification guide that I wanted - and so I'm returning it. A slapped wrist for the publisher, presumably the author, and for Amazon for not checking that the book contents match the meaning of the title and description of the work!

Publishers of nature books generally are being given far too much licence to misrepresent certain books in such a way - such as the Collins "Complete" guides, some of which cannot possibly be anything like complete.

Not for the serious horticulturist, 15 Oct 2004
I was thinking for some positives to write on this book and not much came to mind. It is a perfectly fine book. However the name flora brittanica indicates the plants in this book ought to be indiginous to this land but a great number of them are not. So the author spends time telling us about plants that have been brought over here in the last 100 - 200 years which is of no interest to anyone who is interested in FLORA BRITTANICA. Consequently what could have been a book containing a greater source of information on the fewer number of truly native species becomes a book with little information on a grater number of introduced species. Some of our native species aren't even worthy of a photograph where as japanese knotweed gets 2 photographs all because some idiot brought the wretched plant over here a few hundred years ago because he thought it was decorative. The explanation that goes with (most) the plants is largely centered around ancient beliefs about its uses. Which is o.k to the casual reader but doesn't really interest me. I would have liked to have seen which animals and wildlife benifited from each plant and more about the enviroment the plants naturally inhabit.

A good book overall, 04 Jun 2003
This is a very good encyclopedia, with a lot of information about the history and uses of the various plants found in Britain. My only criticism is that the pictures show the plants in their natural habitat rather than close up. This means it is sometimes difficult to identify the plant from the picture. After saying that, this book is not a hady field guide that you would carry round anyway. It being 400+ pages.
As a home fererence work, I can reccomend it, and I have spent ages browsing through it's pages discovering interesting things about the plants that are all arround us.

Paul

Compulsory Purchase for eco-friendly gardeners!!!, 21 Nov 2007
Very readable, a simple no frills book that is easy to follow, informative, fascinating and eco-friendly. Who knew you could do so much with a nettle, I just thought they were a painful weed until I read this.

I was amazed and enlightened!, 04 Aug 2006
After reading this book by either dipping in to seek what you wish to know - or from cover-to-cover - you will be intrigued and delighted!

It is, quite simply, the definitive guide to that much-maligned plant: the nettle.

This book has become invaluable to me in my work of complementary therapy. It has joined the many excellent books that I suggest to my clients, if they seek alternative remedies that work.

I have no doubt that whatever interests you have - you will love this book and its priceless information.

I was amazed and enlightened!, 23 Jul 2006
After reading this book by either dipping in to seek what you wish to know - or from cover-to-cover - you will be intrigued and delighted!

It is, quite simply, the definitive guide to that much-maligned plant: the nettle.

This book has become invaluable to me in my work of complementary therapy. It has joined the many excellent books that I suggest to my clients, if they seek alternative remedies that work.

I have no doubt that whatever interests you have - you will love this book and its priceless information.


I had no idea....., 02 Jun 2006
I am an alternative healer and have known for some time that stinging nettles can be put to a number of uses, but this book has been a real eye-opener. It's written in a friendly chatty style, at times funny, but all the 101 uses are quite valid. Some are historical but many can still be used today. I have a whole new respect for this amazing plant and am already using it more - for myself as well. If you're interested in the use of plants this book is just fascinating. I keep wanting to tell people bits from it - "Did you know..."! It would also make a great gift for a gardener who thinks of the nettle merely as a weed!

A fairly useful reference work for the casual reader, but..., 14 Sep 2006
This book is short (83 pages long in all) and is mostly taken up with an alphabetical listing of wood types with a short description and a list of what they have been and are used for. This list is exactly the same as the one on the website www.british-trees.com so check this out first to see if you think the book is worth buying.

There are also 6 (large text) pages on the author's woodland thoughts and 10 pages on making fires. I would have liked these two sections to have been longer as the author is obviously very knowledgable and has a lots of "wood experience" but only shares a small fraction of his knowledge.

There are a few small black and white pictures scattered throughout the book.

Fascinating, 29 May 2006
I've always been interested in trees and history so this book has been a real treat. I thought I knew quite a bit about the uses of wood but many of the possibilities described in this book have been fascinating and mind-boggling. The current uses which could be expanded in the future have been food for thought too and show just how important our natural resources are. The section on burning wood in the home was great - I've always been pretty good at building fires but I'm even better now - the one-match-fire really works - and not a firelighter in sight!

Tree mendous, 09 Apr 2006
What a pleasing little book. I was given mine as a present and I shall be buying many more for the same purpose. The author knows his subject but he also knows where to stop, which is a rare skill. You learn plenty within these pages, and some of it is quirky and surprising: but it's not a lecture! It's a human, friendly, practical sort of book, and the stuff about how to set and light a fire is worth the price alone. There's also a good 'resources' section at the end with lots of websites and addresses of interest to smallholding / conservation / tree-loving types. Excellent value for money.

A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Another superb book from Archie!, 14 Jan 2008
This is an exceptional book, containing superb photographs beautifully reproduced. Archie Miles is a well-known photographer with a penchant for trees, with previous publications such as The Trees That Made Britain and Silva, and this latest offering continues in the same vein. His photographic work is technically faultless, combining an intimate knowledge and passion of the subject with superb, crisp, beautifully-lit pictures of the whole range of British trees shown nicely in their respective environments. Many of the locations have to remain secret, as they're on private land. But the other locations are listed in a comprehensive Gazetteer, which even tells you how easy it is to reach them on foot. I hate the term "Coffee Table Book", as it implies the book will sit there looking beautiful but mostly un-read. But be sure if you love trees and know the difference between mundane and exceptional photography, then this book will stay on your coffee table for years, and you'll struggle to put it down!

The Tree and Shrub Expert , 28 Aug 2008
Another book that I wouldnt know what to do with out it, I have looked to buy many trees in the past that have a great write up but after reading this book it will say; Not for the small garden or shelter fronn winds etc.
A lot of information but also very easy ti understand.
I keep this book very close to hand and have taken it with me to many peoples gardesn to help identify trees.
A must for me when it comes to tree's location and pruning if any.
I had a tree with an unusal bark feature but I soon found the cause.
A must have book for anyone with 1 or more tree's in the garden.

The Tree & Shrub Expert by D G Hessayon, 01 Jun 2006
I found this book really helpful with lots of illustrations and easily understood information about lots of trees and shrubs. I managed to identify several of my shrubs that I did not know the name of, from the illustrations, as there are some quite unusual ones there. My only wish would be that the book was in the same format, but dealing with flowering shrubs only and twice as many of them. Overall though an excellent book.

An amateur gardener from Surrey.


Excellent for beginners and experts alike, 08 Apr 2001
I borrowed a couple of books in the series a few years ago when we first started our garden. They really are excellent value, and it's much easier to garden with them than without. I've only ever seen them in garden centres so far, so I'm well-chuffed that they've appeared on Amazon. Now I just have to persuade people to give me the ones I want as presents. Wahey!

The "must have" bonsai book!, 18 May 2002
Whether a newcomer or a more experienced bonsai stylist this book has it all and is an excellent guide to individual species with advice on feeding, watering, styles,location etc.All written in an easy to follow and helpful way.
If you only buy one bonsai book buy this one.

Excellent book from beginners to intermediates, 10 Jul 1999
This is the first book I bought on Bonsai, and I refer to this book everytime I have the need. Good, clear definitions and helpful diagrams provide the basis towards understanding the Art of Bonsai.

Includes Botanical, Common Names, the different cultivation methods (ie sun,watering,pruning etc).. Well done, Harry Tomlinson..

Root and Branch, 12 Oct 2008
I recall hearing Richard Mabey discussing this book on a radio show, before it was published and thinking its premise: collecting contibutors' personal experiences of British plant life, seemed rather uninspired. Surely this kind of thing has been done to death? Nature magazine columns have been filled for years with people writing accounts of things they have seen in the British countryside.

When it was published, I was further put off by the high price of the book.

I was completely wrong on both counts, the price, when the size, scope and quality of the book are considered, seems more than reasonable. As to the premise of the work, Richard Mabey, a genius writer in my opinion, pulls all the various accounts from amateur contributors together into a cohesive and coherent whole, that manages to maintain the same well mannered and good humoured tone throughout its long length.

It is possible to read the book piecemeal, picking out species that interest you specially , but I feel reading it from cover to cover best allows the reader to appreciate what the author has achieved.

This is not an identification guide, although the photographs are of top quality, and the amount of space devoted to each species varies wildly, but the "Flora" succeeds in its aim to be a folk history rather than purely a Natural History work.

Beware of books that may seem to continue this work, e.g."Fauna Britannica", which do not, in fact, have much in common with this fine volume.

mistitled but fun, 22 Sep 2007
It is true that this has to be one of the worse titled books of all time. A FLORA in any sense here should be an identification guide and it isn't that at all - it is a personal exploration of various plants concentrating not necessarily on the most important but on those for which the author has an affection for or simply information on. The main interests are folklore and distribution - industry and use and even literature get short shrift, oddly. It is true too that plant introductions are widely covered, but the distinction in terms of salience would be rather misleading (do we miss out horse-chstnut?...). The joy of this book which frankly does NOT look as though it was twenty years (flap) in the making is the writing and out of the way sources Mabey has dug up and in the feel of the book. A strange bestseller - but not to be dismissed.

Serious misdescription, 23 Aug 2007
Flora Britannica may be a fine book for what it is, as an essay or encyclopedia about British plants, but it is NOT what the title and description clearly imply - a comprehensive identification guide. I myself was misled by this, and indeed by the uncritical acceptance of this blatant misrepresentation by reviewers, and ordered a copy, only to find on opening it that it wasn't at all the comprehensive identification guide that I wanted - and so I'm returning it. A slapped wrist for the publisher, presumably the author, and for Amazon for not checking that the book contents match the meaning of the title and description of the work!

Publishers of nature books generally are being given far too much licence to misrepresent certain books in such a way - such as the Collins "Complete" guides, some of which cannot possibly be anything like complete.

Not for the serious horticulturist, 15 Oct 2004
I was thinking for some positives to write on this book and not much came to mind. It is a perfectly fine book. However the name flora brittanica indicates the plants in this book ought to be indiginous to this land but a great number of them are not. So the author spends time telling us about plants that have been brought over here in the last 100 - 200 years which is of no interest to anyone who is interested in FLORA BRITTANICA. Consequently what could have been a book containing a greater source of information on the fewer number of truly native species becomes a book with little information on a grater number of introduced species. Some of our native species aren't even worthy of a photograph where as japanese knotweed gets 2 photographs all because some idiot brought the wretched plant over here a few hundred years ago because he thought it was decorative. The explanation that goes with (most) the plants is largely centered around ancient beliefs about its uses. Which is o.k to the casual reader but doesn't really interest me. I would have liked to have seen which animals and wildlife benifited from each plant and more about the enviroment the plants naturally inhabit.

A good book overall, 04 Jun 2003
This is a very good encyclopedia, with a lot of information about the history and uses of the various plants found in Britain. My only criticism is that the pictures show the plants in their natural habitat rather than close up. This means it is sometimes difficult to identify the plant from the picture. After saying that, this book is not a hady field guide that you would carry round anyway. It being 400+ pages.
As a home fererence work, I can reccomend it, and I have spent ages browsing through it's pages discovering interesting things about the plants that are all arround us.

Paul

Compulsory Purchase for eco-friendly gardeners!!!, 21 Nov 2007
Very readable, a simple no frills book that is easy to follow, informative, fascinating and eco-friendly. Who knew you could do so much with a nettle, I just thought they were a painful weed until I read this.

I was amazed and enlightened!, 04 Aug 2006
After reading this book by either dipping in to seek what you wish to know - or from cover-to-cover - you will be intrigued and delighted!

It is, quite simply, the definitive guide to that much-maligned plant: the nettle.

This book has become invaluable to me in my work of complementary therapy. It has joined the many excellent books that I suggest to my clients, if they seek alternative remedies that work.

I have no doubt that whatever interests you have - you will love this book and its priceless information.

I was amazed and enlightened!, 23 Jul 2006
After reading this book by either dipping in to seek what you wish to know - or from cover-to-cover - you will be intrigued and delighted!

It is, quite simply, the definitive guide to that much-maligned plant: the nettle.

This book has become invaluable to me in my work of complementary therapy. It has joined the many excellent books that I suggest to my clients, if they seek alternative remedies that work.

I have no doubt that whatever interests you have - you will love this book and its priceless information.


I had no idea....., 02 Jun 2006
I am an alternative healer and have known for some time that stinging nettles can be put to a number of uses, but this book has been a real eye-opener. It's written in a friendly chatty style, at times funny, but all the 101 uses are quite valid. Some are historical but many can still be used today. I have a whole new respect for this amazing plant and am already using it more - for myself as well. If you're interested in the use of plants this book is just fascinating. I keep wanting to tell people bits from it - "Did you know..."! It would also make a great gift for a gardener who thinks of the nettle merely as a weed!

A fairly useful reference work for the casual reader, but..., 14 Sep 2006
This book is short (83 pages long in all) and is mostly taken up with an alphabetical listing of wood types with a short description and a list of what they have been and are used for. This list is exactly the same as the one on the website www.british-trees.com so check this out first to see if you think the book is worth buying.

There are also 6 (large text) pages on the author's woodland thoughts and 10 pages on making fires. I would have liked these two sections to have been longer as the author is obviously very knowledgable and has a lots of "wood experience" but only shares a small fraction of his knowledge.

There are a few small black and white pictures scattered throughout the book.

Fascinating, 29 May 2006
I've always been interested in trees and history so this book has been a real treat. I thought I knew quite a bit about the uses of wood but many of the possibilities described in this book have been fascinating and mind-boggling. The current uses which could be expanded in the future have been food for thought too and show just how important our natural resources are. The section on burning wood in the home was great - I've always been pretty good at building fires but I'm even better now - the one-match-fire really works - and not a firelighter in sight!

Tree mendous, 09 Apr 2006
What a pleasing little book. I was given mine as a present and I shall be buying many more for the same purpose. The author knows his subject but he also knows where to stop, which is a rare skill. You learn plenty within these pages, and some of it is quirky and surprising: but it's not a lecture! It's a human, friendly, practical sort of book, and the stuff about how to set and light a fire is worth the price alone. There's also a good 'resources' section at the end with lots of websites and addresses of interest to smallholding / conservation / tree-loving types. Excellent value for money.

How to build treehouses, huts and forts., 12 Oct 2008
This is an awesome book, it really is all you need for the basics of treehouse building. I am truely inspired!

Exciting and inspirational , 24 Apr 2006
As a total novice with no DIY experience, I found this book inspirational. There are step-by-step plans for creating both simple and ambitious structures, which encouraged me to get out and try them. I'm currently half way through my first simple treehouse, and already planning the next one! The tone is great; it gives simple instructions with clear pictures, but is never patronising and it assumes no limits to your ability. I'd really recommend this for both children and adults.

great book, 12 May 2005
Finally I found an instructional book, well-written, very practical, clear and complete, that helped me through the entire process of conceiving and then building the play structures for my kids from A to Z.
There is nothing missing, even detailed drawings and step-by-step instructions. I warmly recommend this book to anyone who is inexperienced but has the ambition to finally 'do it yourself'.

A good little book, but with it problems, read below!, 21 Apr 2008
this book is exactly what you would expect from a little Collin's gem, it has good material through out, and a pretty good selection of the most common trees....but, i would have preferred to see real photographs rather than artists drawings, which, sometimes are not as good a reference as an image of the real thing. Furthermore i would have liked to see bigger images of the type of bark from each tree since half the year the trees have no leaves, and the bark, leafless shape, and habitat is all you have to go on.
this is however a good introduction read for summer time tree hunting, wouldn't recommend it for winter though. if you are up for a better book i recommend:-
Collins Complete Guide to British Trees: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species

great little book, 02 Apr 2008
this book is great for people who have just got into trees and want to find them and has some good facts

Recommended for tree spotting beginners, 22 Nov 2007
I lead tree courses and often recommend this little book for beginners. It has all the information and illustrations you need to get started, with, in my opinion, excellent pictures of leaves, flowers, fruit, winter twigs, bark and, best of all, the tree. Tree shapes in this book are truer than in many more ambitious works.

Compact, That is its Beauty, 13 Jul 2007

No, this is not the best book ever written about trees, but it is handy to have in your pocket. and on a walk or in the countryside you will not see many trees that are not in this book.

As one reviewer has already said the drawings could be better, but they are adequate for the casual 'tree spotter' The information given about each tree is also adequate. There are many more advanced books that can be purchased for the real tree enthusiast (if there is such a term) and these can be used at home after you have made an identification from the Collins gem.

Easy, simple and fun, 27 Jan 2007
Bought this book when we moved into a new house in '06. We now have five trees in our garden and plenty more in the surrounding area. Being an inquisitive sort of person I wanted to know what they were and decided on this little book from some reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed, really easy to use and in no time I had found out what I wanted. Clear and easy instructions and illustrations too. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

Another superb book from Archie!, 14 Jan 2008
This is an exceptional book, containing superb photographs beautifully reproduced. Archie Miles is a well-known photographer with a penchant for trees, with previous publications such as The Trees That Made Britain and Silva, and this latest offering continues in the same vein. His photographic work is technically faultless, combining an intimate knowledge and passion of the subject with superb, crisp, beautifully-lit pictures of the whole range of British trees shown nicely in their respective environments. Many of the locations have to remain secret, as they're on private land. But the other locations are listed in a comprehensive Gazetteer, which even tells you how easy it is to reach them on foot. I hate the term "Coffee Table Book", as it implies the book will sit there looking beautiful but mostly un-read. But be sure if you love trees and know the difference between mundane and exceptional photography, then this book will stay on your coffee table for years, and you'll struggle to put it down!

The Tree and Shrub Expert , 28 Aug 2008
Another book that I wouldnt know what to do with out it, I have looked to buy many trees in the past that have a great write up but after reading this book it will say; Not for the small garden or shelter fronn winds etc.
A lot of information but also very easy ti understand.
I keep this book very close to hand and have taken it with me to many peoples gardesn to help identify trees.
A must for me when it comes to tree's location and pruning if any.
I had a tree with an unusal bark feature but I soon found the cause.
A must have book for anyone with 1 or more tree's in the garden.

The Tree & Shrub Expert by D G Hessayon, 01 Jun 2006
I found this book really helpful with lots of illustrations and easily understood information about lots of trees and shrubs. I managed to identify several of my shrubs that I did not know the name of, from the illustrations, as there are some quite unusual ones there. My only wish would be that the book was in the same format, but dealing with flowering shrubs only and twice as many of them. Overall though an excellent book.

An amateur gardener from Surrey.


Excellent for beginners and experts alike, 08 Apr 2001
I borrowed a couple of books in the series a few years ago when we first started our garden. They really are excellent value, and it's much easier to garden with them than without. I've only ever seen them in garden centres so far, so I'm well-chuffed that they've appeared on Amazon. Now I just have to persuade people to give me the ones I want as presents. Wahey!

The "must have" bonsai book!, 18 May 2002
Whether a newcomer or a more experienced bonsai stylist this book has it all and is an excellent guide to individual species with advice on feeding, watering, styles,location etc.All written in an easy to follow and helpful way.
If you only buy one bonsai book buy this one.

Excellent book from beginners to intermediates, 10 Jul 1999
This is the first book I bought on Bonsai, and I refer to this book everytime I have the need. Good, clear definitions and helpful diagrams provide the basis towards understanding the Art of Bonsai.

Includes Botanical, Common Names, the different cultivation methods (ie sun,watering,pruning etc).. Well done, Harry Tomlinson..

Root and Branch, 12 Oct 2008
I recall hearing Richard Mabey discussing this book on a radio show, before it was published and thinking its premise: collecting contibutors' personal experiences of British plant life, seemed rather uninspired. Surely this kind of thing has been done to death? Nature magazine columns have been filled for years with people writing accounts of things they have seen in the British countryside.

When it was published, I was further put off by the high price of the book.

I was completely wrong on both counts, the price, when the size, scope and quality of the book are considered, seems more than reasonable. As to the premise of the work, Richard Mabey, a genius writer in my opinion, pulls all the various accounts from amateur contributors together into a cohesive and coherent whole, that manages to maintain the same well mannered and good humoured tone throughout its long length.

It is possible to read the book piecemeal, picking out species that interest you specially , but I feel reading it from cover to cover best allows the reader to appreciate what the author has achieved.

This is not an identification guide, although the photographs are of top quality, and the amount of space devoted to each species varies wildly, but the "Flora" succeeds in its aim to be a folk history rather than purely a Natural History work.

Beware of books that may seem to continue this work, e.g."Fauna Britannica", which do not, in fact, have much in common with this fine volume.

mistitled but fun, 22 Sep 2007
It is true that this has to be one of the worse titled books of all time. A FLORA in any sense here should be an identification guide and it isn't that at all - it is a personal exploration of various plants concentrating not necessarily on the most important but on those for which the author has an affection for or simply information on. The main interests are folklore and distribution - industry and use and even literature get short shrift, oddly. It is true too that plant introductions are widely covered, but the distinction in terms of salience would be rather misleading (do we miss out horse-chstnut?...). The joy of this book which frankly does NOT look as though it was twenty years (flap) in the making is the writing and out of the way sources Mabey has dug up and in the feel of the book. A strange bestseller - but not to be dismissed.

Serious misdescription, 23 Aug 2007
Flora Britannica may be a fine book for what it is, as an essay or encyclopedia about British plants, but it is NOT what the title and description clearly imply - a comprehensive identification guide. I myself was misled by this, and indeed by the uncritical acceptance of this blatant misrepresentation by reviewers, and ordered a copy, only to find on opening it that it wasn't at all the comprehensive identification guide that I wanted - and so I'm returning it. A slapped wrist for the publisher, presumably the author, and for Amazon for not checking that the book contents match the meaning of the title and description of the work!

Publishers of nature books generally are being given far too much licence to misrepresent certain books in such a way - such as the Collins "Complete" guides, some of which cannot possibly be anything like complete.

Not for the serious horticulturist, 15 Oct 2004
I was thinking for some positives to write on this book and not much came to mind. It is a perfectly fine book. However the name flora brittanica indicates the plants in this book ought to be indiginous to this land but a great number of them are not. So the author spends time telling us about plants that have been brought over here in the last 100 - 200 years which is of no interest to anyone who is interested in FLORA BRITTANICA. Consequently what could have been a book containing a greater source of information on the fewer number of truly native species becomes a book with little information on a grater number of introduced species. Some of our native species aren't even worthy of a photograph where as japanese knotweed gets 2 photographs all because some idiot brought the wretched plant over here a few hundred years ago because he thought it was decorative. The explanation that goes with (most) the plants is largely centered around ancient beliefs about its uses. Which is o.k to the casual reader but doesn't really interest me. I would have liked to have seen which animals and wildlife benifited from each plant and more about the enviroment the plants naturally inhabit.

A good book overall, 04 Jun 2003
This is a very good encyclopedia, with a lot of information about the history and uses of the various plants found in Britain. My only criticism is that the pictures show the plants in their natural habitat rather than close up. This means it is sometimes difficult to identify the plant from the picture. After saying that, this book is not a hady field guide that you would carry round anyway. It being 400+ pages.
As a home fererence work, I can reccomend it, and I have spent ages browsing through it's pages discovering interesting things about the plants that are all arround us.

Paul

Compulsory Purchase for eco-friendly gardeners!!!, 21 Nov 2007
Very readable, a simple no frills book that is easy to follow, informative, fascinating and eco-friendly. Who knew you could do so much with a nettle, I just thought they were a painful weed until I read this.

I was amazed and enlightened!, 04 Aug 2006
After reading this book by either dipping in to seek what you wish to know - or from cover-to-cover - you will be intrigued and delighted!

It is, quite simply, the definitive guide to that much-maligned plant: the nettle.

This book has become invaluable to me in my work of complementary therapy. It has joined the many excellent books that I suggest to my clients, if they seek alternative remedies that work.

I have no doubt that whatever interests you have - you will love this book and its priceless information.

I was amazed and enlightened!, 23 Jul 2006
After reading this book by either dipping in to seek what you wish to know - or from cover-to-cover - you will be intrigued and delighted!

It is, quite simply, the definitive guide to that much-maligned plant: the nettle.

This book has become invaluable to me in my work of complementary therapy. It has joined the many excellent books that I suggest to my clients, if they seek alternative remedies that work.

I have no doubt that whatever interests you have - you will love this book and its priceless information.


I had no idea....., 02 Jun 2006
I am an alternative healer and have known for some time that stinging nettles can be put to a number of uses, but this book has been a real eye-opener. It's written in a friendly chatty style, at times funny, but all the 101 uses are quite valid. Some are historical but many can still be used today. I have a whole new respect for this amazing plant and am already using it more - for myself as well. If you're interested in the use of plants this book is just fascinating. I keep wanting to tell people bits from it - "Did you know..."! It would also make a great gift for a gardener who thinks of the nettle merely as a weed!

A fairly useful reference work for the casual reader, but..., 14 Sep 2006
This book is short (83 pages long in all) and is mostly taken up with an alphabetical listing of wood types with a short description and a list of what they have been and are used for. This list is exactly the same as the one on the website www.british-trees.com so check this out first to see if you think the book is worth buying.

There are also 6 (large text) pages on the author's woodland thoughts and 10 pages on making fires. I would have liked these