The ability to accurately identify tree and shrub seedlings is invaluable to anyone with an interest in forests and woodlands and it is fundamental to practical woodland management. However, identifying seedlings in their first year of growth is not as straightforward as identifying adult trees and shrubs, as they are often strikingly different in appearance.

Forest Seedlings is a new digital field guide to identifying tree and shrub seedlings in the British Isles. The guide has been developed by experts working for the Forestry Commission in Great Britain and covers nearly 100 species commonly found in British forests and woodlands.

The guide contains stunning high-resolution images of leaves and other seedling features that can be used for identification. Species can be searched for and listed by their common and scientific names and dynamic filtering allows users to identify seedlings based upon a number of key characteristics. The ‘Field notes’ tool provides an easy way to add notes and automatically record the locations of specimens using the device GPS, which does not require a mobile phone signal.

The Forest Seedlings app costs £1.99.

It was available to download from Google Play and the App Store.

If you are experiencing problems with the app or need support please contact publications@forestresearch.gov.uk