vi PREFACE. 
The use of the first class of portraits is, to give a palpable idea of the general 
magnitude, form, and character, which different species and varieties assume 
when growing in the same soil and climate, even in so short a period as ten or 
twelve years after planting. A slight comparative view of these portraits shows 
that the growth of some trees is much more rapid than that of others; and that 
while the species of some genera when young are comparatively monotonous 
in their general form, those of the species of other genera of the same age have 
marked and characteristic features. Hence the valuable assistance afforded 
by such portraits in the choice of trees for the purposes of landscape-garden- 
ing. To solve the problem of ascertaining the species capable of producing 
any desired effect of wood, or of trees, in a given locality, and in a given time, 
it is only necessary to turn over the portraits which are contained in the last 
four volumes of this Work, and to select those species, the portraits of which 
exhibit trees of such forms and magnitudes as will produce the effect desired. 
The second class of portraits represents full-grown trees of the same spe- 
cies as those of which portraits in their young state are given ; and these, for 
the greater part, are drawn from trees within ten miles of London, and all, 
with one or two exceptions, are to one scale. The object in giving these 
portraits of full-grown trees is, to show the magnitude and character which 
particular species attain when they arrive at maturity, and to be a guide to 
the planter, not only in many particulars having reference to pictorial effect, 
but also with respect to the uses of trees as productive of timber, shelter, 
and shade. 
These portraits of trees in their young and mature state, which are contained 
in the last four volumes, together with the engraved botanical specimens, and 
the scientific and popular descriptions contained in the four volumes of letter- 
press, are calculated, as the author thinks, to create that interest in trees and 
shrubs in those who have not previously paid much attention to the subject, 
to produce which, as already observed, has been his grand object in under- 
taking this Work. 
In addition to the trees and shrubs which have been ten or twelve years in 
the country, and which are purchasable in British nurseries, those of more 
recent introduction, which are comparatively scarce, are also described or 
noticed; as are some which were introduced at former periods, and have been 
lost, and others which are known to botanists, but which have not yet been 
introduced. 
Besides notices of new and little known hardy trees and shrubs, or of 
such as are described by botanists but not yet introduced, some attention 
has been paid throughout the Work to trees and shrubs which, though they 
will stand through the winter in mild seasons, without protection in favourable 
situations, or with protection in situations and seasons less favourable, in the 
climate of London, yet cannot be recommended for general purposes, and 
are therefore generally described by gardeners as only half-hardy. These 
half-hardy species have been noticed, because there is perhaps no scené in 
a British garden more interesting, than one in which the plants of warm 
