INTRODUCTION 



The scope of this work — Influence of soil upon trees — Influence of trees upon soil — Methods of root- 

 ing — Situation and its influence — Shapes of trees — Importance of studying the spray — Main stem 

 or trunk — The bark and its uses — Uses of timber and trees generally — Plea for an Arbor Dav 

 and re-afForestation — The advent of the Garden City — Study of winter buds — Insect pests 

 — Fungoid pests — Age of trees — Nature's laboratory and coal — Leaf structure, form, and 

 functions — Autumnal beauty of hedgerow, wood, and garden — Floral structure and pollination 

 — Commercial products of flowers, trees, and shrubs — Fruit and seed — Fine-fruiting trees and 

 shrubs for decorative effect — Pendulous trees and shrubs — The scent of trees — The beauty 

 of the Lime — Companionship of trees — Our woodlands of to-day — A good story by Dean 

 Hole — The mission of the trees — An English wood in springtime — Some woodland pictures 

 — How to read the story of the year — Conclusion. 



THE SCOPE OF THIS WORK 



In the present volume it has been the intention of the authors to provide 

 some help to the Nature-student and others in the identification of not only 

 the British trees and shrubby plants, but also of the more common culti- 

 vated trees and shrubs. This branch of Botany has been sadly neglected 

 in the past, with the result that although the young student, and even 

 those of an older growth, may be familiar with most of the native herba- 

 ceous plants, so ably described in the many popular books on wild flowers, 

 there is a want of familiarity with the great majority of the trees and flower- 

 ing shrubs which one may see in our public and private parks and gardens. 



Not only does this remark apply to the inquiring student, but it is 

 astonishing how many so-called gardeners and owners of beautiful gardens 

 are unfamiliar with the names and uses of many of the botanical treasures 

 which lie at their very feet. Many such will be well informed as to the 

 newest and latest varieties of herbaceous plants, but at the same time quite 

 unable to say whether a certain tree in the garden is a Deodar or an 

 Atlantic Cedar, a Wellingtonia or a Lawson's Cypress. Such at least has 



been the experience of the authors. Or again, how many could identify 



i b 



