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NEW Review! Harlow & Harrar's Textbook of Dendrology, 9th Edition:
(by James W. Hardin, Donald J. Leopold & Fred M. White, Black & White, 534 pages, printed 2001) An outstanding introductory textbook to the world of trees.
The first seven chapters are devoted to basic silvicultural concepts. Chapter one introduces the reader to the concepts within the book, while chapters 2-3 focus on scientific tree classification and naming. Nifty features include a pronunciation guide and a glossary which shows the meanings of common scientific names (many scientific names are Latin in origin).
Chapter four is a guide to tree identification complete with a Dichotomous key. Dichotomous keys help you identify trees by looking at a tree's parts and answering true false questions. Chapter five discusses variations in trees, in particular, the substantial variation that you can find between trees of the same species. Chapter six is devoted to an overview of habitats, tree ranges and forest communities. While only 11 pages long, the chapter does a great job of introducing many of the environmental variables that influence tree growth.
Chapters eight & nine compose the lion's share of the book. These chapters present descriptions of most every tree species you are likely to find in North America. The discussions are detailed and very readable. Discussions focus on Leaves, Fruit (cones, seeds, nuts etc.), Twigs, Bark, Range, & General Descriptions for everything else. Photos of the tree and its anatomical parts as well as a distribution map are also provided for most tree species.
The final chapters deal with the science of dendrochronology and issues to be resolved by modern dendrologists. Dendrochronology is the scientific study of tree rings.
This book and the Forests Service's Silvics Manuals are the most in-depth and accurate books evaluated during the creation of Mighty Trees. The book is black & white, but the figures are very useful. As such the book is strongly recommended for those who are serious about learning more about the many different tree species of the Americas.
Book Reviewed 3/04/02
NEW Review! National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees (Eastern Edition):
(by Elbert L. Little, Color photos, 716 pages, printed 1998) An outstanding tree identification guide with thorough descriptions of 364 trees common to the Eastern U.S. A more recent edition than the one reviewed here is currently available in most stores.
This is my favorite field guide. I bought it just as I began wondering the woods in search of different trees. The first half of the book is full of color photos of different tree species. For each species a photo of the bark and leaf are given. Most species also have photos of fall color leaves, flowers and fruits.
The tree photos are separated into groups based on physical appearance. So if you are looking at a tree with needles, look in the needle section. Compare the needle and bark of your tree with the photo examples to find the tree's species. If you are looking at a tree with simple lobed leaves look in the simple lobed leaf section. If the tree currently has white flowers look at all the trees in the white flower section...simple.
The last half of the book provides 1-2 page descriptions of each tree species. Basic anatomical data as well as general descriptions are given. Black silhouette profiles of the tree are also handy. The habitat descriptions and the native range map are useful in identifying species when physical appearances are very similar.
This field guide does not include twig details which are in Peterson's Field guide (review coming soon). It also would have been nice to have photos of the trees from a distance, not just close up views. But all in all this is a great book. If you are a casual enthusiast that would like a field guide filled with good information and lots of full color photos of tree parts this is your book. A Field Guid to Western Trees is also available.
Book Reviewed 3/04/02
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