Trees: A Visual Guide

by Tony Rodd, Jennifer Stackhouse

Beautifully illustrated and designed, this gorgeous reference book explores the world of trees from every perspective―from the world's great forests to the lifespan of a single leaf. Arresting color photographs of a wide variety of trees and close-ups of many of their remarkable features provide an enormous amount of information in a highly accessible format. The volume illustrates how trees grow and function, looks at their astounding diversity and adaptations, documents the key role they play in ecosystems, and explores the multitude of uses to which we put trees―from timber and pharmaceuticals to shade and shelter. A highly absorbing read cover to cover or dipped into at random, A Visual Guide delves into many specific the details of flowers, bark, and roots; profiles of favorite trees; how animals and insects interact with trees; trees in urban landscapes; the role trees play in our changing climate; deforestation and reforestation; and much more. With clear diagrams, illustrations, and intriguing sidebars on many featured topics, this unique volume is a complete visual guide to the magnificence of the arboreal world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Plants, Science, Biology, Science Nature

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2008

Reviews

[reading is my hustle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the intro of this book trees are described as the "whales" of the plant world. This beautifully photographed book describes the way trees grow and function, the varied way humans make use of trees (from timber, shade, shelter, and pharmaceuticals), and the diversity of trees (species, genera/families). It also takes a look at communities of trees around the world.

And. The. Pictures. Will. Make. You. Swoon.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. Gorgeous pictures, interesting text. It covers trees in general and some in particular, covering history & where trees fit into the world in general and the world of people as well. Chapters are: A world of trees; Form and function; Diversity & design; Communities of life; Trees and the human world; an indispensable resource. The Diversity & Design chapter covers quite a few specific tree varieties (arranged alphabetically by Latin name) and includes a silhouette of a typical full-grown tree with a person silhouette next to it showing the relative size. I like this feature.
There's a glossary but it doesn't cover all the terms I didn't know. A Factfile appendix covers important families and genera of trees with their name, geographical range, characteristic features & significance. Another Factfile shows tree shapes and some leaf shapes & arrangements, as well as flowers & inflorescences. A set of world maps showing major forest biomes of the world isn't exactly helpful because the maps are small enough to make the color distinctions unclear.

[Kelli Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. Full of gorgeous photos, so it's sort of a coffeetable book, but it's full of really good information about trees. Best for someone with avid interest in plants and trees, but who is not (yet) an expert. I found it highly browsable, and learned a lot of great stuff too. Not for everybody, but most gardeners would like it a lot.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love trees like I do, this book is a visually beautiful and informative read. The pictures are tremendous and there is lots of information here. I pick it back up all the time to look through it.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad for browsing, but very broad. The authors are Australian, and there are examples of trees all over the world. Printing isn't sharp, so the images suffer. The cover looks good, which must boost online sales. I'd be sure to take a look inside before buying it.

[E Goldberg]

Not really about TREES .. more about forests etc./

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not captivating. I was hoping for more pictures of trees than descriptions.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice combination of visual and informational elements. Great coffee table style book. I enjoyed flipping through it from time to time.