The Illustrated Book of Trees: The Comprehensive Field Guide to More Than 250 Trees of Eastern North America

by William Carey Grimm, John T. Kartesz

--Completely revised and updated
--More than 30 new species described and illustrated

William Carey Grimm's classic Illustrated Book of Trees has been the authority on eastern North American tree identification for over 40 years. Now available in a completely updated edition, this book includes recently introduced species and incorporates changes in taxonomy, nomenclature, and geographic range, with distinguishing characteristics and similar-species comparisons for quick and accurate identification. Readers will be able to easily identify a species by observing the leaves, flowers, and fruits of a tree in summer or its twigs, buds, and bark in winter. Written in a straightforward, nonscientific language for beginning botanists of any age. A glossary of terms & a complete index are included. (Stackpole Books)

Genres: Reference, Nature, Nonfiction

695 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Kartesz’s revision of William Carey Grimm’s classic is a good, useful reference work, providing comprehensive descriptions, including separate summer and winter characteristics; good black-and-white illustrations; references to cultural, lumber, and construction significance; common invasive species; a glossary; and exceptionally useful, quick-reference boxes with the most distinctive, diagnostic features for each species of tree. The book mixes a moderate level of technical, botanical vocabulary with lay terminology to take its subject matter seriously without overwhelming the amateur of trees.

A few flaws, though significant, are not enough to undermine The Illustrated Book of Trees. The 13-page table of contents and especially the 9-page index could be user-friendlier, could be expanded. For instance, the layperson could be forgiven for forgetting the family of the sweetgum. However, the table of contents (and the book overall) is arranged by family, and the index does not list sweetgum separately—nor even as a sub-entry under the witch-hazel family—but only under its Latin name Liquidambar styraciflua. A thorough index is indispensible to a great reference work. Perhaps more frustratingly, the tree-identification key—though usefully split into a summer key, a winter key, and keys for most families—revealed two errors during the semester course for which the book was assigned.

The work should be valued for its descriptions, illustrations, and quick-reference boxes, but should be viewed skeptically for its keys and its usefulness in tracking down species with only limited information, especially by the inexperienced tree-identifier.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite book for tree identification. While dealing mostly with trees of eastern North America (plus some imports), the book provides a useful set of identification tress useful in summer or winter, as well as a decent glossary. "The Illustrated Book of Trees" includes well done line drawings of pertinent features, and the descriptions usually include the tree form, leaves, etc., as well as the composition and uses of the wood itself.