A NEW book co-written by the founder of Stone Lane Gardens in Chagford is to be posthumously published in March.

The late Kenneth Ashburner dedicated his life to studying the varying species of birch tree that inhabit the planet. He travelled widely in search of birches, to Japan, Korea, Russia, Siberia, the Himalayas, North America and throughout Europe and Scandinavia.

Stone Lane Gardens was awarded National Collection status for both wild origin birch and alder in 1995.

Kenneth's travels and research resulted in the national collection of trees growing in the gardens today. For many years before his death he had been working on a new guide to birch with co-author Dr Hugh McAllister.

That book, 'The Genus Betula: A taxonomic revision of birches' is to be published by Kew Publishing in March. Within it, accounts are given of all known birches found in Europe, Asia and North America, both white and brown barked, and a key for their identification.

Ashburner's co-author Hugh A. McAllister lectured in botany at Glasgow, Newcastle, and Liverpool Universities and was deputy director at the University of Liverpool Botanic Gardens at Ness. For over 30 years he has been growing and studying birches in co-operation with Kenneth Ashburner.

The book is illustrated by elegant botanical paintings by Josephine Hague alongside drawings and photographs selected by the editor Martyn Rix.

Purchases of the book made directly from Stone Lane Gardens will raise funds to maintain and preserve the arboretum. To find out more, visit http://www.stonelanegardens.com/shop">www.stonelanegardens.com/shop