INTRODUCTION 



the Tree of Heaven (Ailantus), the Kidney-bean Tree (Wistaria), Tulip Tree, 

 or Evergreen Oak? Yet these are by no means uncommon even in our 

 thickly populated towns. 



Naturally all trees appeal to us most strongly when in leaf, but to those who 

 will observe, many are the beauties to be found in the leafless tree, and much 

 can be done to identify them by their bark, buds, and manner of growth. 



The botanist will of course examine the flowers, but possibly even in 

 these days of enlightenment it does not always occur to the unscientific 

 that even Oaks and Elms, and all our forest trees, are in their turn laden 

 with floral treasures which will well repay close study. 



It has been our endeavour, therefore, to collect together from our personal 

 observation and other sources, and present in a condensed form, much valu- 

 able information which it is hoped will interest the young student, and lead 

 him to ask the why and wherefore of those many facts which he may 

 observe around him. 



Our attention is here confined for the most part to the species of hardy 

 trees and shrubs which we may find growing either as indigenous plants 

 in their natural surroundings, or under cultivation in the modern garden 

 of any pretension. The number of hardy trees and shrubs enumerated as 

 growing in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, amounts to about 4500, and 

 the Conifers reach a total of 700. Of this vast number we have endea- 

 voured to mention all our native trees and shrubby plants, and most of 

 the more commonly cultivated species. Very few varieties are described 

 as their number is an ever - increasing quantity, and often the minor dis- 

 tinctions are of but little interest to the serious student, who in such a 

 vast subject must be content to work on broad lines. The Kew Hand- 

 list gives the names of fifty slight forms of Berbcris vulgaris, which by 

 some might be considered as distinct species. The plan of the work is 

 rather of the nature of a scientific flora than a popular treatise, but it may 

 be worth while to offer the student some suggestions as to how he may 

 best utilise the information presented in these pages. The Latin names 

 used are those of the Kew Hand-lists. In a few cases it has been found 



