📖 Overview
Trees in Britain, Europe and North America is a comprehensive field guide featuring over 800 tree species. The book includes detailed photographs of bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit for each species.
The guide organizes trees by family and provides identification keys, distribution maps, and cultivation notes. Technical descriptions cover growth patterns, seasonal changes, and distinguishing characteristics between similar species.
The book includes both native and commonly cultivated non-native trees found across the three regions. Each entry contains practical information about the tree's uses, growing conditions, and historical significance.
This reference work represents a systematic documentation of tree diversity in the Northern Hemisphere, highlighting the connections between human cultivation practices and natural forest ecosystems.
👀 Reviews
There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Roger Phillips's overall work:
Readers consistently praise Phillips' clear photography style and detailed identification methods. His mushroom and wild food guides receive particular appreciation for their accessibility to beginners while maintaining technical accuracy that experts value.
What readers liked:
- Precise, well-lit photographs that show key identifying features
- Clear descriptions that avoid overly technical language
- Practical organization and layout for field use
- Comprehensive coverage of species within each guide's scope
What readers disliked:
- Some older editions have printing quality issues that affect photo clarity
- Limited coverage of North American species in some guides
- Physical size/weight makes some editions impractical for field use
- Price point higher than similar guides
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: "Mushrooms" (4.7/5 from 214 ratings)
- Amazon UK: "Wild Food" (4.6/5 from 328 reviews)
- Amazon US: "Mushrooms of North America" (4.4/5 from 156 reviews)
One frequent comment from reviewers: "The white background photography technique makes identification significantly easier than traditional field guides."
📚 Similar books
Trees of Eastern North America by David Allen Sibley
This guide provides specific details for identifying 825 tree species through illustrations and distribution maps.
The Tree Book by Michael A. Dirr and Keith S. Warren The reference manual contains information about 2,400 species and cultivars, including growth habits, cultivation requirements, and native ranges.
Collins Tree Guide by Owen Johnson and David More This identification manual features paintings of every tree species in Europe, with depictions of bark, leaves, and growth patterns.
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben This work explores tree communication, nutrient sharing, and ecosystem relationships through scientific research and forest observations.
Ancient Trees: Trees That Live for 1000 Years by Anna Lewington and Edward Parker The book documents notable ancient trees worldwide with details about their biology, cultural significance, and survival characteristics.
The Tree Book by Michael A. Dirr and Keith S. Warren The reference manual contains information about 2,400 species and cultivars, including growth habits, cultivation requirements, and native ranges.
Collins Tree Guide by Owen Johnson and David More This identification manual features paintings of every tree species in Europe, with depictions of bark, leaves, and growth patterns.
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben This work explores tree communication, nutrient sharing, and ecosystem relationships through scientific research and forest observations.
Ancient Trees: Trees That Live for 1000 Years by Anna Lewington and Edward Parker The book documents notable ancient trees worldwide with details about their biology, cultural significance, and survival characteristics.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌲 Roger Phillips pioneered the use of color photography for accurate plant identification, revolutionizing nature guidebooks in the 1970s
🌳 The book features over 800 species of trees and includes both native and commonly cultivated varieties across three continents
🍂 Each tree entry includes detailed close-up photographs of bark, leaves, flowers, and fruits in different seasons
🌿 Phillips personally photographed nearly every specimen in the book, traveling extensively across Britain, Europe, and North America over several years
🌱 The author began his career as a successful portrait photographer and mushroom expert before becoming one of the world's leading authorities on trees and plants