Best tree guide for Europe? (1 Viewer)

Any comments on best guides for trees of Europe? Whichever guide I chose would have to include the Baltic States, i.e. north-east Europe? Considering the Collins Guide, but as I live out of the UK, will not get a chance to look at it before ordering.

Tree Guide

Dear Jos

I have long used Alan Mitchell's 'A Field Guide to the Trees of Britain and Northern Europe' (Collins, 1974) which is excellent, if lacking in more recent information, changes in nomenclature etc. It's a really usable pocket field book, with exceptionally good illustrations, and concise helpful information.
I use it in conjunction with Oleg Polunin's 'Trees and Bushes of Europe' (OUP, 1976) which has better cover of southern Europe, and photographs, which are often helpful.
There is, however, a wonderful new, if rather large volume, which feels like a companion to Blamey/Grey-Wilson's 'An Illustrated Dlora of Britain and Northern Europe (Hodder & Stoughton, 1989) [which is, itself, extremely good on trees of that region] which I have seen. I believe it is published by Cassell, who now publish the Blamey/Grey-Wilson, I think. It is not a pocket field book, but a beautiful reference work. Sorry not to have the author and title.

Best wishes

David

Jos,

I also use the Mitchell book mentioned by black52bird.

My recommendation is not a book, but a website: http://www.bomengids.nl/uk/hoofdsleutel.html

It is in Dutch and English, and gives some excellent information on trees. He may also be able to recommend some books for you too.

Denzil

Is this Alan Mitchell's 'A Field Guide to the Trees of Britain and Northern Europe' (Collins, 1974) considered better than the newer Collins Tree Guide that I see advertised?

Jos Stratford said:

Is this Alan Mitchell's 'A Field Guide to the Trees of Britain and Northern Europe' (Collins, 1974) considered better than the newer Collins Tree Guide that I see advertised?

Click to expand...

I don't know much about trees but have the Mitchell book (which you can get cheaply on eBay--I paid about £3). I must admit that I find it hard to use... there are so many possible trees to choose from and I don't have the level of interest where I'm prepared to spend ages IDing one tree (OK, I'm lazy). My interest is mainly in identifying trees that might be of value in finding moths... and sometimes I find that the tree I'm looking for is not too well presented (e.g. for aspen there's just a picture of one leaf).
The new Collins one is in similar format to the renowned Collins Bird Guide. It looks lovely but I've only glanced at it in a bookshop. My guess would be that it's a winner... have you tried googling to see if you can find any reviews? I'd be interested to know what you find out!
Ken