Dendrology is the the branch of botany and science about trees and other plants that have woody structures. It includes the natural history of trees, species identification, taxonomic classifications and economic significance.

Natural landscapes, forestry, arboreta, horticultural businesses and our gardens are locations that benefit from dendrological study. In the UK there are many parks and urban streets containing trees but the number seems to be diminishing. It is therefore up to gardeners to maintain an interest in growing and caring for trees and woody plants.

A new book to be published in 2019 ‘Dendrology: Cones, Flowers, Fruits and Seeds of Europe’ will provide a comprehensive overview of the morphology of reproductive organs of European woody plants in one resource. Over 355 species of trees and shrubs are to be described including species that originate from North America, Asia, South America, Australia and Africa. At a price of £200 this is not for your average gardener. Better to stick to your own note book costing less than a fiver (above from amazon).

Associated Facts

• An arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants and is intended at least in part for scientific study. On the other hand a Xylarium is a herbarium containing a collection of wood specimens.
• The aims of the International Dendrology Society are to promote the study and enjoyment of trees and other woody plants and to protect and conserve rare and endangered plant species worldwide.
• Silviculture is the  science of controlling forests and woodlands and of forestry management.
• Dendrochronology is the art and science of tree-rings. Dendroclimatology uses tree-rings and wood density to analyse the that climate was likely to have caused the rings.