
Sylva
by John Evelyn
- First published
- 1664
- Reading level
- Fairly demanding
- Price
- Free
About the book
"Sylva; Or, A Discourse of Forest Trees. Vol. 1 (of 2)" by John Evelyn is a treatise first presented to the Royal Society in 1662 and published as a book in 1664. This pioneering work addresses the cultivation and propagation of timber trees in England's dominions. Recognized as one of the most influential forestry texts ever published, it combines practical instruction with natural philosophy. Later editions expanded to include geological essays, fruit tree cultivation, and cider production, cementing its legacy across centuries.
- Gardening
- Forests and forestry
- Trees
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #20778. Sylva on Wikipedia.




