HOW TO KNOW THE TREES 

 GROWING IN BRITAIN 



With Notes, descriptive and photographic, for the.r Identification 

 in all Seasons of the Year 



By HENRY IRVING 



I.— THE BEECH AND THE OAK 



" What we want is the meaning, the character, the expression of a tree, as 

 a kind and as an individual." — O. W. Holmes. 



THE particular trees of which the fol- 

 lowing chapters treat are such as 

 may be commonly met with in 

 Britain. Some are native, whilst some 

 are of comparatively recent introduction, 

 . but these may be regarded as naturalised. 



The descriptive notes are written from 

 the standpoint of an ordinary observer 

 whose interest is in the trees as living 

 creatures, not for their commercial or 

 other uses. 



The illustrations selected are mainly 

 those which shall best help in the matter 

 of identification, and especially in the 

 winter season when this is beset with the 

 more difficulty. They comprise the winter 

 appearance of the tree, of the twig, of 

 the resting bud (this last enlarged some- 

 what so that the more minute markings, 

 leaf scars and leaf traces, may be the 

 better noted) ; the summer appearance 

 of the leaves on a portion of the clothed 

 twig ; and, for any season, the appear- 

 ance of the lower part of the trunk, show- 

 ing also the surface and texture of the 

 enclosing bark. These in their season, 

 with such detailed aid as may be derived 

 from the descriptive notes, will, it is 

 believed, generally suffice for purpose of 

 identification at any time in tlic year. 



A note of warning is required in refer- 

 ence both to descriptions and illustriitions. 

 Trees are living creatures ; they are not 

 cast in moulds like iron jialings. They are 

 subject to many iulluences, hereditary 

 and circumstantial. Tliey have decided 

 individuality. Variation may meet us at 



28 



any point. No individual tree is true 

 to type, at one and the same time, in 

 every particular. 



The main division of the trees here is 

 into (i) broad-leaved trees (Beech, Oak, 

 etc.), and (2) narrow-leaved trees (Pines, 

 Firs, etc.). The broad-leaved trees are 

 again divided into (i) those with incon- 

 spicuous flowers, mostly gathered together 

 into catkins, lacking flower-leaves (or 

 petals), which accept in the main the 

 service of the wind for the conveyance 

 of the pollen dust from flower to flower ; 

 and (2) those with conspicuous flowers, 

 growing singly or in clusters, having 

 petals white or coloured, secreting nectar, 

 attractive to bees and other winged 

 insects, to whom they look for the con- 

 veyance of the pollen as required. 



It is hoped that these following notes, 

 descriptive and photographic, will serve 

 as aids to those who desire a closer 

 acquaintance with our common trees; 

 ability to distinguish one kind from 

 another at any season ; some knowledge 

 of their individual character and habit ; 

 and, added to these, the attainment of 

 a sympathetic regard for them, through 

 grateful appreciation of their gentle com- 

 l)anionshii) and generous service. 



THE BEECH 



The Beech, growing in the open, is a 

 stately, luxuriant tree, with oval-shaped 

 crown, and branches .reaching almost to 

 the ground. One amongst many in the 

 forest, its stem rises as a plain colunm 



