A Tree in Your Pocket

By Vernon Marshall View Profile
What a helpful little book! It is literally pocket-sized, and this makes it a handy tool to take with you on country rambles. For those of us who seek a closer relationship to the natural world than just gazing out with a mild interest this book is very useful. It is not an identifier. It does not give close-up pictures of leaves (though this would have been useful too) in order to be sure which tree is which. Each tree is presented with a simple line drawing at the beginning of each section.

The information that is given for each of the seventeen trees is nothing like you would expect to see in a traditional arboreal guide. This book is a mystical and spiritual guide to the trees. Each section begins with basic details, such as the Latin name and the Gaelic or Irish name, the Ogham and Runic symbol, the ruling planet and the 'abilities' of each tree. There are sections on how each tree was viewed by pagan and Christian traditions, what healing properties are inherent, what magical properties each tree contains, and its physical uses.

This book is ideal to bring out when ambling through a wood or across a dale. To have the information from the book when facing a tree close up is to create almost a spiritual experience. At less than 140 pages, and at 5 inches by just over 4 inches, this little book is also so practical. It slips into back trouser or chest pockets so easily, and, at £3.99 is within the budget range of anyone wishing to renew their relationship with these wonders of nature.