Trees of Western North America - Paperback

by Richard Spellenberg (Author), Christopher J. Earle (Author), Gil Nelson (Author)

The most comprehensive and user-friendly field guide to the trees of western North America

Covering 630 species, more than any comparable field guide, Trees of Western North America is the most comprehensive, best illustrated, and easiest-to-use book of its kind. Presenting all the native and naturalized trees of the western United States and Canada as far east as the Great Plains, the book features superior descriptions; thousands of meticulous color paintings by David More that illustrate important visual details; range maps that provide a thumbnail view of distribution for each native species; "Quick ID" summaries; a user-friendly layout; scientific and common names; the latest taxonomy; information on the most recently naturalized species; a key to leaves; and an introduction to tree identification, forest ecology, and plant classification and structure. The easy-to-read descriptions present details of size, shape, growth habit, bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, flowering and fruiting times, habitat, and range. Using a broad definition of a tree, the book covers many small, overlooked species normally thought of as shrubs, as well as treelike forms of cacti and yuccas. With its unmatched combination of breadth and depth, this is an essential guide for every tree lover.

• The most comprehensive, best illustrated, and easiest-to-use field guide to the trees of western North America
• Covers 630 species, more than any comparable guide, including all the native and naturalized trees of the United States and Canada as far east as the Great Plains
• Features specially commissioned artwork, detailed descriptions, range maps for native species, up-to-date taxonomy and names, and much, much more
• An essential guide for every tree lover

Back Jacket

"This is an outstanding guide. I was constantly amazed at the amount of information that the authors have gathered and presented in a clear, readable style."--Arnold Tiehm, University of Nevada, Reno

"This exceptional guide will be a useful reference for arborists, foresters, landscape architects, and gardeners. The botanical descriptions are excellent, the text is easy to read, and the side notes provide interesting facts that help to fully describe the species. The illustrations are very effective, providing sufficient detail for identification. And the location maps for species nativity are a welcome bonus."--Dennis Swartzell, board-certified master arborist, Henderson, Nevada

Author Biography

Richard Spellenberg, a botanist and specialist in plant taxonomy, is the author of the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers, Western Region. Christopher J. Earle is an ecologist whose specialties include forest ecology and conifer biology. Gil Nelson is a botanist and the coauthor of the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America and the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States. David More is regarded as one of the finest botanical illustrators in the world. He has illustrated a number of tree guides, including the acclaimed Collins Tree Guide and The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Trees (Princeton).