Trees (EYEWITNESS COMPANION GUIDES)

• Publisher:   DK ADULT
• Number Of Pages:   360
• Publication Date:   2005-10-17
• ISBN-10 / ASIN:   0756613590
• ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780756613594

Using the award-winning design of the Eyewitness Travel Guides -combining maps, cutaway views, and specially commissioned photographs-Eyewitness Companions are the ultimate visual handbooks to a wide range of subjects.

This is a beautiful book. There is no doubt that the photography is first rate. But it fails as a useful reference book to identify trees. The book tries to do too much. It wants to be a picture book. It wants to include most of the world's trees. Unfortunately, it does not do what I wanted which is to easily identify trees in our local parks and woodlands from the tree's general appearance and their leaves and flowers or bark. For example, many of the trees do not have photos or drawings of their leaves. Some only show a long distance view of the tree and nothing else. Trees that grow in Asia are next to trees that grow in the Northwest. There are many tree books. If you want a picture book, buy this book. If you want a simple and easy guide, shop around.

The biggest use I have for this book is identifying trees in my area by name/type, and learning the classifications of different trees. Other then that I don't really see any uses for this book which is fine because why else would one buy it. There are a few pages about tree care, world tree zones and human and tree history which you will read once and then move on. This is not a book for learning about how to care for trees. I like the colorfull pictures and the organization. Each tree blurb has it's name, scientific name, height, location, type, pictures of leaves for ID purposes, a little random info and then BARK, LEAF, FLOWER and FRUIT info for more ID purposes. Very usefull and a good glossary to boot. The book is about 350 pages and the perfect size for a small daypack although this won't fit in a hip bag or very small shoulder bag. The contents:
What Is A Tree? pg 14-26 - classification, evolution, structure , etc. Living With Trees pg 38-61 - Trees of the World pg 62-343 Spore trees, Seed Trees - cycads, gingko, conifers. Flowering Trees - primitive angiosperms, monocotyledons, dicotyledons -pg 141-344. Glossary 344-350 Bottom Line: Another great book from DK, I've aquired a few of these lately and they are just really nice to have for when you want to look something up visually.

If you are not already in love with the way trees create atmosphere in woods or how they stand alone reaching to the sun, then this book will take you over the edge into woodland wonder where Japanese Maples create art in brilliant fall colors and Snow Gum trees stand alone against the blue sky. This book is truly spectacular in its variety and creativity. Here you will see Monkey Trees covered with snow, Aspen trees from the Targhee National Forest and Bald Cypress trees that seems to be walking through swamps. Not only is this book a thing of beauty, it is also education and includes information on Tree Classification, Evolution and Structure. Maps of World Forest Zones and detailed information about specific forests make it easier to understand why certain trees grow in various parts of the world. There are details about products made from tree including cork, aromatic oils and medicinal extracts. The Mango tree and Neem tree were interesting and you can learn a lot about coffee, tea and even strawberry trees. I love the picture of the Kapok tree with its spreading roots taking over temple ruins. They almost look like hands reaching down from heaven. ~The Rebecca Review

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