"This manual is a simple description in accurate and nontechnical terms of the forest trees common to southern New England." from the "Purpose of this manual.

"This pocket manual is a revision of Forest Trees of Conneticut prepared originally by the late Austin F. Hawes former State Forester in collaboration with Wilbur R. Mattoon of the U.S. Forest Service. Many of the drawings of leaves and twigs were done by Mrs. A. E. Hoyle of the U.S. Forest Service. The manual was revised and printed in 1939 and 1946 as a section of Practical Forestry and Forest Trees of Connecticut by the late Edgar L. Heermance former Secretary of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association and late as Forest Trees Common to Southern New England and Adjacent Areas of New York States by Archibald W. Hurford.

Acknowledgment is made to persons who have assisted in the current revision as well as those who have contributed to former editions of this publications.

Co-operation was received from the reginal officers of both the Girl Scout and Boy Scout organizations in Boston, Massachusetts in reviewing statements as to how the manual might serve as a guide and reference book for these groups.