National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region

National Audubon Society Field Guides

by Elbert L. Little, Sonja Bullaty (Photographer), Angelo Lomeo (Photographer)

Tree peepers everywhere will enjoy these two guides which explore the incredible environment of our country's forests-including seasonal features, habitat, range, and lore. Nearly 700 species of trees are detailed in photographs of leaf shape, bark, flowers, fruit, and fall leaves -- all can be quickly accessed making this the ideal field guide for any time of year.

Note: the Eastern Edition generally covers states east of the Rocky Mountains, while the Western Edition covers the Rocky Mountain range and all the states to the west of it.

Genres: Reference, Nature, Nonfiction, Field Guides, Science, Plants, Biology

714 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 1980

About the author

Elbert Luther Little

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love myself a tree now and again, but I wouldn't classify myself as a dendrophiliac. I enjoy trees enough to make flipping through this book a real pleasure.

National Audubon's series on North American wildlife and nature is a great resource for enthusiasts. Within, the reader will find hundreds of color photos with close-ups on bark and leaf. There are sketches and diagrams. Maps for every tree show its habitation range. Descriptions come with average sizes, soil preference, as well as details on each individual's twig, flower and fruit.

Reading this I even came to understand how trees can affect our emotions. Drooping willows make us sad, while trees with up-lifted branches give us a hopeful feeling.

Though the wealth of information is so valuable, just as important is the handy way in which its been laid out. Finding a fir or identifying an Ironwood couldn't be easier!


Here's some tree porn for those of you who just can't get enough...

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent field guide, though I think you'll get the most out of it if you already have some dendrology knowledge. The pictures are excellent and show great examples of the different species, I also really appreciate that the trees are organized by leaf arrangement first and then by other characteristics, it makes looking for something in particular that much easier.

The descriptions of each species are also great and very informative, all of which are accompanied by great diagrams and range maps which are very helpful.

So far the only issue I've found with it is that pond cypress is listed as a variety of bald cypress, but the consensus now is that pond cypress is its own species (this is really a no-brainer as the two are quite distinct), hopefully this will be corrected with the next printing of these.

All-in-all this is a great field guide and I'm looking forward to carrying it around on hikes so I can refresh my dendro skills and learn new trees.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book that includes quite a few transplants, hybrids & invasives. Definitely one of the best buys of this type out there. I have a couple of copies & have used them extensively in Maryland & Kentucky. While a few trees have not been included, overall it has met expectations.

[Cassandra Kay Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book is laid out makes identifying trees fairly easy. Especially as it is regionally specific. I think reading through the book at least once through before using it makes it so much more simple to use. Books like this make me wish I were a botanist.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a user-friendly guide to trees in the Eastern U.S.A. So far, I have found it to be an enjoyable item to put in my backpack for a day on the hiking trail or the park. The book is clearly organized, with sections for leaves, flowers/nuts, and a couple of other categories. It is a good size, and the illustrations are clear. This book will help you identify trees. However, it is not a textbook or a serious introduction to the study of trees - for that, you would need something else.

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the most helpful guidebook to trees I’ve ever owned!

[Tanner Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only non-fiction book I've read cover to cover. This was my nature book for years of research in the woods. I love this book! 5 stars isn't enough.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for someone who wants to study trees. The book gives you a diverse array of them. I would say the book is more meant to be used prior to an observation: I.E. before you see what trees you want to know about. It's a good way to become familiar with them. The other way around is more difficult, as the book isn't the best at teaching you to recognize what it is you're seeing. It would be easy for novice users of the book to mistake a hickory for an ash, or something like that.

My advice, use it as a reference, and use the app "iNaturalist" as a tool for observation. That will ballpark things much better for you.

[Nick Eager · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great resource for identifying trees. A large section of color photos is cross-listed with pages of written descriptions.
My main goal with the book was to identify trees with edible parts. However, this book is more about identifying the trees than noting edible parts. It occasionally lists edibility.

[Chuck Emmer]

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region

[Philbeert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s a learning curve, but I don’t find this guide as useful as the amphibian/reptile one.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this book as a reference and use it a lot. Great plates and info.

[Martin Sander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this small format reference guide. I know quite a bit about wood; I was raised in a family woodworking business.
I can tell you all about all kinds of wood and veneers. But out in the forest if I'm asked to identify a species, my response has been "cut it down, plane it and I'll tell you what it is."
The comprehensive photos, drawings and descriptions are perfect for my weekly hike in the woods.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region by Elbert L. Little (Alfred A. Knopf 1980) (582) is the Audubon Society's field guide to North American trees. My rating: 7/10, finished 2005.

[Steven McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have dozens and dozens of books about trees, but this book and its companion for the western US are among my most valued. I travel with them and refer to them whenever I'm outside of my home turf. If I had to recommend a single book about local trees, this (or its counterpart) would be the one.

[Plant Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous resource, great color photographs, easy to find information.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of my desire to learn more about life around me. For instance, the most popular tree found in New York City is the London Planetree.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I've read most of this - I'm constantly referring to this guide. A nice one - I've keyed out most of the trees in my backyard with this book. Not a must-read, but helpful nonetheless.

[Brainorgan]

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees--E: Eastern Region (Eastern) by NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY (1980)

[What's Dat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total excellence.

[Tyler Villwock]

very helpful

[Clarice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very easy to follow, and it really helped me in my project. The leaves look too much alike though.

[Mary Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Brent]

I bring this to the woods with my daughter—lots of fun identifying trees. But how do you review a tree book? “Leafy?”