Sir, as a Garden Steward at the National Trust's Sheffield Park Garden I was asked to guide members of the International Dendrological Society. Able to answer the first question from these tree experts I told the group that I was no plant expert, merely knowledgeable on the planting at the property. Telling them that before retirement I was a dentist the rejoinder from Tony Kirkam of Kew was that we were in the same business! They extract, fill holes and do root treatment. My question as to whether they sterilised their tools after use produced laughter. I wonder if patients in search of a dentist might ask in future for a dendrologist rather than an odontologist?

Editor-in-chief's note: Readers may have similar suggestions for the descriptions of other occupations that might use related terminology? Crowns in foreign currency dealing, or conservation of enamel in plumbing for example? Please send us your thoughts.