Seeds and Nuts ID Guide: Your Autumn Companion for Woodland Walks

Use this Seeds and Nuts ID Guide to identify 20 of the most common seeds and nuts – and know which are edible, and which to avoid.

Introduction: A Walk Becomes a Treasure Hunt

Autumn in the northern hemisphere is the season of falling leaves, scattered seeds, and ripening nuts. A simple country walk becomes a treasure hunt: shiny conkers beneath horse chestnuts, acorns from mighty oaks, or edible hazelnuts peeping from their husks. But which can you eat, and which should you avoid? That’s why I created the Seeds and Nuts ID Guide – the third in my field ID series.

This richly illustrated guide covers 20 seeds and nuts that you are most likely to encounter on autumn walks, including beechmast, walnuts, pine nuts, sweet chestnuts – and even the poisonous thorn apple (Datura). For each plant, you’ll find:

• Nut/seed description with clear photographs
• Leaves and flowers to aid recognition
• Plant or tree size and habitat
• Season of appearance
• Edibility and warnings
• Additional notes with cultural or historical context

Why It’s Useful

• Avoid confusing toxic horse chestnuts with edible sweet chestnuts
• Recognize poisonous plants like thorn apple now spreading across Europe
• Confidently identify which nuts are edible – and which should stay on the ground for wildlife
• Add an extra layer of discovery to every woodland or park walk

The Trilogy is Complete

The Seeds & Nuts ID Guide completes a trilogy with my popular Farm Crops ID Guide and Hedgerow Berries ID Guide. Together, these pocket-sized eBooks will help you confidently identify much of what you see in the fields, hedges, and woodlands of Belgium and beyond.

Get Your Copy

The Seeds & Nuts ID Guide is available now for just a few euros via Payhip. Download it instantly to your phone or tablet and take it with you on your next autumn walk.

Download the Seeds & Nuts ID Guide here

Denzil Walton

I created Discovering Belgium in 2011 to share the country’s hidden stories, fascinating places, and remarkable people. Through articles, photography, and audio walks, I share discoveries that reveal Belgium beyond the obvious. Hope you enjoy this site.