Tree-lover, Rhodri Jones points out where some of the better specimens in the region can be spotted.

Near the ancient market town of Monmouth, near to where the rivers Wye and Monnow meet, the valley sides are clothed in woodlands of great age. Native ash, oak, beech and yew trees may all be found there.

Near Merthyr Tydfil may be found probably the rarest tree in the world, the leys whitebeam. It is thought that there are only sixteen of these trees growing wild - all of them in the great Taff river valley. It is reckoned that the largest grows near to the forest enterprise's Garwnant Visitor Centre

A little further down the Taff valley towards our capital city is the wooded area around Castell Coch. This has many fine examples of native ash, and a wander through those woods will refresh even the most jaded city dweller with its outstanding views and air that has almost an alpine quality.

The city of Cardiff with its many fine Victorian parks has many rare and well grown examples of Himalayan and other exotic trees.

It is in one of Cardiff's parks - Roath recreation ground - that my favourite urban tree grows. The Japanese paperbark maple, with its red peeling bark and crimson autumn colour, give this tree all round interest to the planstman and visitor alike.

Further into Cardiff lies the great botanical garden of Roath Park, where many fine examples of Japanese maples can be found and enough exotics to keep even Alan Titchmarsh occupied.

Rght in the centre of Cardiff lies the great arboretum planted in Bute Park, next door to the castle. Many of the trees and large shrubs here are over 100 years old and in good form. The visitor to Bute Park will be rewarded time and time again with ever changing views as the seasons change. The magnolia lawn around the orsedd field is well worth a look in the spring.

Many fine trees which shouldn't survive, flourish in the private and public gardens of Cardiff. This is apparently due to a prevailing microclimate in the city that is particularly suited to trees and other woody plants.

Travelling towards Porthcawl along the old A48 lies the rural tree lined landscape of the Vale of Glamorgan, with its closely clipped hedges, and copses dotted here and there.

Near to the village of St Nicholas lies the much overlooked Dyffryn Gardens, a treasure trove of garden rooms in which may be found the original paperbark maples in Britain. These probably date back to around 1912 and have the rare quality of being grown from seed.