In this guide, finely prepared illustrations of Southern Africa's most common trees are accompanied by brief but precise descriptions, to provide the reader with an immediate guide to identification of more than 130 tree species. Similar-looking trees are grouped to enable one to easily distinguish between like species, and diagnostic features of the tree (be they the fruit, flowers, bark or leaves) have been highlighted in the illustrations. Where relevant, the author alerts the reader to related or similar species, although these may not always be illustrated. Following the species accounts is an item on the conservation status of indigenous trees, a feature on gardening with trees, and a discussion of the economic uses of trees, with particular emphasis on those species that appear in the guide.