xvi The Trees of Great Britain and Ireland 



knowing how difficult it is for the general public to understand the descriptions 

 of nearly allied species, usually made by compilers who are unacquainted with the 

 crucial points of distinction, we hope to supply this information in concise, clear, and 

 simple language. What we understand by scientific knowledge is accuracy, expressed 

 in plain words ; and in order to ensure this we have copied nothing from other 

 authors that we could verify for ourselves. 



In order to give a history of the finest trees in this country, we have visited 

 during the past five years nearly every important place in England, Scotland, Wales, 

 and Ireland where large and rare trees are found ; and have received from land- 

 owners, estate agents, foresters, and gardeners an amount of information and assistance 

 which justifies us in believing that our work will be generally appreciated. Though 

 the historic trees of some places in England and of more in Scotland have 

 been described in scattered publications, those of Ireland have been almost totally 

 neglected ; and Dr. Henry has paid special attention to the many interesting 

 properties in that country. 



A prominent feature of the work will be the illustrations. Modern photography 

 enables the authors to give accurate pictures of the trees as they grow. Almost all 

 the photographs of trees and of forest scenes have been taken by skilful photo- 

 graphers specially engaged for the purpose. In dealing with about 300 species of 

 trees, many of which will require several illustrations to show the best specimens 

 both as park and forest trees, the authors have accumulated a large number of 

 photographs, which are being reproduced by the Autotype Company of London, 

 who guarantee their permanency. 



With regard to these illustrations we desire to say, that though in some cases 

 they may not be perfect from the point of view of the photographic artist, yet the 

 amount of time, skill, and money that has been spent on them is very far beyond 

 what would be imagined by any one who has not had experience of the difficulty of 

 securing good negatives of trees scattered over so large an area, under all conditions 

 of light and weather, and in situations often extremely difficult to the photographer. 



In some cases two or three special journeys have been made to obtain a 

 photograph of one tree only, as the object has been to show the finest individual 

 trees known to the authors rather than to make pretty pictures of scenery. 



Besides these reproductions of photographs there will be lithographed drawings 

 of seedlings, buds, leaves, flowers, and fruit, so far as is necessary to distinguish the 

 trees in winter and in summer. These original drawings have all been done under 

 the personal supervision of Dr. Henry, who has carefully studied the material, living 

 and dead, that exists in the unrivalled establishment at Kew, 



All measurements have been taken by the authors themselves with Stanley's 

 Apomecometer, or by practical foresters on whose accuracy they could rely, and though 

 in many cases errors to the extent of a few feet may have been made, owing to the 

 shape or position of the tree measured, we believe them to be as accurate as possible 

 under the conditions. 



