Tree Spotting by Ros Bennett - a book review by Priya Viswanathan

About Ros Bennett:

Ros Bennett is an incredible botanist and ecologist with over 50 years’ experience inspiring and sharing her profound love and deep knowledge with over 10,000 people wherever possible including the University of Cambridge. Naturalists from all over the world come to be inspired and guided by her. However, to my surprise, her ocean of knowledge has never been too complicated even for a complete beginner like me and it has created in me a special love and passion for plants and trees by showing me simple ways to look at and understand them.

Nell Bennett, the artist, and the daughter of Ros, has provided the amazing illustrations that bring to the book a visual brilliance.

Can I attend workshops on specific plant topics taught by Ros?

Yes, Ros runs study days on various botanical topics like ferns, mosses, clovers & vetches, tree & plant IDs etc throughout the year based at various venues including our Tyland Barn site, Maidstone. Please check the link to our study day page where you can book a place.

https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/explore/education/wildlife-study-days

If you are curious about wanting to understand ways to identify different plants regardless of whether you just want to top up your existing competency in the field or if you are completely new to this game, you will not be disappointed! I have assisted Ros with nearly all her study days this year, and I meet people who have joined many of Ros’ courses and yet still leave at the end of the day having learned something new.

About the book:

This book helps you to dive into the roots (not literally though) leaving you with an understanding of the trees with facts about their fascinating social life, family relationships, how they reproduce, defend themselves and interact with each other and with other living things, alongside their history in Britain. It is a great read for those who would like to know more about the British Native species and see how they fit into society and into the ecosystem of life.

Spotting every single 1500 different species of trees found in the British Isles could be daunting. So, Ros has narrowed it to 52 species, 43 of which are native to these islands and most of the remaining 9 of which are ‘honorary’ natives, brought here long ago.

Let’s say, for me I find it very hard to identify them as so many of them look the same especially during their seasonal changes. Ros explained that this is because they are related to each other, and they share family characteristics. In this book, she discusses them in their family groups. This also means that you will have a system and a structure with which to identify the other 1448 exotic species, for many of these will fit into one or another family boxes.

Personally, I felt this book is unique compared with all the other books that are already available on the subject because the content is thoroughly researched and backed by years of experience both in the field and in the classroom and a comprehensive understanding of the role of trees in many landscapes and around the world all united by her scientific training that supports her constant questioning and enquiry. It’s like a perfectly fermented fine wine!

Key take-away topics for the readers from the book:

• Britain’s Most Familiar Trees
• Blossoms & Berries
• Chemistry of Plants
• The Importance of Fungi
• The History of Britain’s Forest
• Why trees and forests are Important
• Identification Trees in Summer: Using Leaves
• Identifying Trees in Winter: Using Twigs & Buds
• Britain’s 52 (Mostly) Native Trees - a couple of pages on each species including:
  • The Conifers      
  • Broad-leaved trees