The Trees of San Francisco

by Mike Sullivan

San Francisco is home to an amazingly diverse and exciting urban forest. Mike Sullivan shares his enthusiasm for San Francisco's trees in engaging and nontechnical descriptions, stories, photographs, and a series of walking tours. Natives and tourists alike will enjoy the chance to learn not only about the city's trees, but also about historical and environmental forces that have shaped the San Francisco we know.

Genres: Nature, Plants, Nonfiction

159 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

This is the disambiguation profile for authors publishing as Mike Sullivan.

See also: Michael Sullivan

Reviews

[Jason Prodoehl]

What a book. You don't need to be a botanist to appreciate this book. I'm certainly not. At first, I thought I'd just glance through this book, read about a few trees I'd always wondered about. I read it cover to cover. The photos: beautiful. Showing a tree from afar, and close up of flowers or leaves. Then a very informative page about why this tree does and doesn't work in San Francisco. (good for planting under power lines, poor choice for sidewalks, quick growing, etc.). Tidbits about when they bloom, when or if they lose their leaves, and the best time to see them.

What impressed me most was hearing stories about how a certain tree was brought to the city, or how some of the fruits taste (seems like some are edible, but taste like sand). This knowledge is just what I love to know, but don't want to die trying to find out. Also a few choice trees that kids may be interested in and where and when to see them (e.g. fruit that smells like vomit, some kids would just LOVE that).

At the end of the book: some walking tours. So if you are a visitor, interested in trees, this is a must. For any local, I would recommend this book. It is truly superb. And did you know there is a non-profit, Friends of the Urban Forest (www.fuf.net) that has been active in SF since 1981? Check it out, donate, or volunteer.

[Robert Chisari]

The most botanically eclectic cities in America!

Excellent overview of absorbing facts on the trees their histories and locations within SF. If it’s your first time visiting “the Baghdad by the Bay” and realize your “not in Kansas any more” grab a copy of Sullivan’s Book and enjoy a horticultural adventure through one of the most botanical wonderlands on earth.

[Svetlana Nelson]

Great read for anyone who wants to learn a little bit about San Francisco's fantastic trees and where to find them. I especially enjoyed tree origins stories. I will use the book as a guide for some of the walks that I do with my dog.

[AS]

I am addicted to the walking tours : )

[Christina Wright]

SO stoked to do the walking tours!!!

[Em Sager]

This book is great if you want to find cool landmark trees all around San Francisco. If you are moving to San Francisco, just visiting, or have lived there for years, this is a nice book to pick up! Unfortunately, I bought this book hoping I would learn more about the actual species in the Bay area as my job is dedicated to tree knowledge. I think the book is more directed towards people who are not tree experts but want to learn a few fun facts about trees, or to find cool looking ones around the city. It was still a nice read though.

[Jessica]

I know all the trees! This book gave me a new perspective on the city and all the trees I never really noticed before. Fun read, very helpful for learning basics, and the tree walks are great!

[Molly]

Bob and I went over to The Green Arcade this past weekend and I picked up this guide to some of San Francisco's most notable trees. Both Bob and Patrick, the store's owner, said they loved the book. Now I see why! It's engagingly written and beautifully laid out. It certainly plays the role of field guide, but it's really more like a photographic homage to the green-leafed beauties across our dear city. I plan to put the walking tours at the end of the book to good use.

[Jesse]

For a casual tree admirer in San Francisco, I don't know that it gets much better than this. The inclusion of great photos, San Francisco context, and actual locations you can see them, makes this a keeper.

[Terri Kempton]

This is such an informative book, and includes both photos and actual locations in the city where you can go find each type of tree! Awesome for locals who enjoy walking.

[Dana Brown]

Treelicious