It’s impossible to imagine the British landscape without its broadleaved trees. Horse chestnut, holly, beech and birch – all have long been admired and valued not only because of their timber-producing capacity but also for their beauty.
The broadleaves of Britain form part of that vast natural forest of northern Europe which once stretched from the Atlantic to the Steppes of Russia. Formerly important as sources of building material and fuel, their main contribution nowadays is as shade- and shelter-providers although some – oak, ash, sycamore and lime – are still used by furniture-makers and willow remains the traditional material for cricket bats.
Herbert Edlin’s introduction to broadleaves – now revised by a recently retired Forestry Commission expert – guides the reader towards a detailed knowledge of these trees. It covers the functions of leaf, flower and fruit: aids accurate identification of the different varieties by descriptions and drawings, and discusses the habitats where each species can be found.