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The Tree Identification Book
A new method for the practical identification and recognition of trees -- and an important supplement to existing botanical methods.
The book is in two parts: Pictorial Keys and Master Pages. The Keys are designed for easy visual comparison of details which look alike, narrowing the identification of a tree to one of a small group -- the family or genus.
Then, in the Master Pages, the species of the tree is determined, with similar details placed together to highlight differences within the family group, thus eliminating all other possibilities. The details of the Oak trees on this plate are an example of the system.
All of the more than 1500 photographs were made specifically for use in this book and were taken either in the field or of carefully collected specimens. Where possible, details such as leaves, fruit, etc., appear in actual size, or in the same scale.
The book is in two parts: Pictorial Keys and Master Pages. The Keys are designed for easy visual comparison of details which look alike, narrowing the identification of a tree to one of a small group -- the family or genus.
Then, in the Master Pages, the species of the tree is determined, with similar details placed together to highlight differences within the family group, thus eliminating all other possibilities. The details of the Oak trees on this plate are an example of the system.
All of the more than 1500 photographs were made specifically for use in this book and were taken either in the field or of carefully collected specimens. Where possible, details such as leaves, fruit, etc., appear in actual size, or in the same scale.
272 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 30, 2016
The day I realized I needed to learn more about trees was when I had several tree "experts" come over to provide me with feedback about the trees I had in my backyard. I hadn't planted them and they had been there for a while, so I wanted to know how to better take care of them, their names, potential issues, etc. I relied upon the "experts" to tell me this, as they were all certified arborists. However, I quickly learned that these "experts" simply wanted to cut and trim trees, as that's where the money was going to be. Some told me my oaks were dying (no, they weren't), some gave me a different name for the same tree, and some were too busy drinking their Starbucks coffee to even make the effort.
The distinction between tree identification and tree recognition should be clearly understood at the outset. Identification is based on observation of details. Recognition means knowing trees at a glance, just as one recognizes one's friends.
So, I decided it was time to learn about my trees on my own. I had bought the place and now felt a responsibility for looking after the homes of the birds and other wildlife. The trees also provided cover from any pollution and meant I haven't yet had to use the huge air conditioning unit that came with the house. My tree buddies provide shade during the hot summers. Alas, what book was it going to be? There didn't seem to be one perfect selection, so I opted for this one because the title said it all...I just wanted to know what my trees were and then I could start figuring it out from there.
Needless to say, this book has been a boon. For instance, I have pine needles year-round, but from two different trees. This book allowed me to figure out that I had a Monterey Pine but also a Canary Island Pine. Sweet. My only setback is that everything is in black-and-white, so that keeps it from being a full five-star hit. But at least I now have the ability to tell the tree "experts" to step back into their pickups and leave the premises when they start making up stories about my trees.
Book Season = Year Round (without trees, where would we be)
The distinction between tree identification and tree recognition should be clearly understood at the outset. Identification is based on observation of details. Recognition means knowing trees at a glance, just as one recognizes one's friends.
So, I decided it was time to learn about my trees on my own. I had bought the place and now felt a responsibility for looking after the homes of the birds and other wildlife. The trees also provided cover from any pollution and meant I haven't yet had to use the huge air conditioning unit that came with the house. My tree buddies provide shade during the hot summers. Alas, what book was it going to be? There didn't seem to be one perfect selection, so I opted for this one because the title said it all...I just wanted to know what my trees were and then I could start figuring it out from there.
Needless to say, this book has been a boon. For instance, I have pine needles year-round, but from two different trees. This book allowed me to figure out that I had a Monterey Pine but also a Canary Island Pine. Sweet. My only setback is that everything is in black-and-white, so that keeps it from being a full five-star hit. But at least I now have the ability to tell the tree "experts" to step back into their pickups and leave the premises when they start making up stories about my trees.
Book Season = Year Round (without trees, where would we be)
March 23, 2012
This is a book I've wanted for a while. The boys got it for me for my birthday. Wow! Fantastic tree ID book. In the way it is setup for identification, it is like the big brother to the fantastic Tree Finder: A Manual for Identification of Trees by their Leaves by May Theilgaard Watts.
It is set up so the novice can identify different pieces of the tree individually & then arrive at a consensus for the actual species. This is a revolutionary idea in the world of tree ID. Usually books say a tree has a very specific type of twig, leaf, or bark, but the truth of the matter is, depending on the conditions, any individual trait can vary amazingly. The book is divided into sections that compare & contrast all of these to figure out the genus & then another section that helps narrow down the species.
To help in identification, similar traits are kept together, so not only will you find maples, sycamores & oaks in the same section, but you'll see a catalpa & paulownia laid out on the same page for easy comparison of their very similar traits. For someone that has been confused before, I think this is the best part.
This is a large format paperback book, so it isn't handy to carry around, but it does have about 250 trees in it. It sticks to the native & naturalized trees of the lower 48 & doesn't try to get into all the species of oaks at all, just highlights a few of the most common of the 3 species. Ditto with willows & a couple of others. That's actually a good thing since oaks hybridize & cross so easily that even the US Forest Service pretty much throws up its hands when it comes to listing them in their handbook. (They actually have 3 tomes to cover the trees & still don't cover the oaks as well as some books.)
I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone interested in tree identification for any season. It is not the only book you want, because it will only help you identify the tree, but it is a fantastic resource for that.
It is set up so the novice can identify different pieces of the tree individually & then arrive at a consensus for the actual species. This is a revolutionary idea in the world of tree ID. Usually books say a tree has a very specific type of twig, leaf, or bark, but the truth of the matter is, depending on the conditions, any individual trait can vary amazingly. The book is divided into sections that compare & contrast all of these to figure out the genus & then another section that helps narrow down the species.
To help in identification, similar traits are kept together, so not only will you find maples, sycamores & oaks in the same section, but you'll see a catalpa & paulownia laid out on the same page for easy comparison of their very similar traits. For someone that has been confused before, I think this is the best part.
This is a large format paperback book, so it isn't handy to carry around, but it does have about 250 trees in it. It sticks to the native & naturalized trees of the lower 48 & doesn't try to get into all the species of oaks at all, just highlights a few of the most common of the 3 species. Ditto with willows & a couple of others. That's actually a good thing since oaks hybridize & cross so easily that even the US Forest Service pretty much throws up its hands when it comes to listing them in their handbook. (They actually have 3 tomes to cover the trees & still don't cover the oaks as well as some books.)
I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone interested in tree identification for any season. It is not the only book you want, because it will only help you identify the tree, but it is a fantastic resource for that.
April 8, 2020
The handiest / most interesting feature of this book is that it tries to show actual size pictures of the various tree features.
To identify a plant this book suggests to start by inspecting 7 “keys” (leaves, flowers, fruit, twigs, etc) to determine the genus. From there you’re directed to master pages to narrow down the species. It’s not exhaustive of course (how can it be in less than 300 pages) but as a newbie it’s really nice to be able to look at similar leaves (or similar fruits, flowers, etc) one next to each other instead of having to jump back and forth different pages. For example Paulownia and Catalpa have somewhat similar leaves, but once you place them one next to the other you realize they are quite different.
To identify a plant this book suggests to start by inspecting 7 “keys” (leaves, flowers, fruit, twigs, etc) to determine the genus. From there you’re directed to master pages to narrow down the species. It’s not exhaustive of course (how can it be in less than 300 pages) but as a newbie it’s really nice to be able to look at similar leaves (or similar fruits, flowers, etc) one next to each other instead of having to jump back and forth different pages. For example Paulownia and Catalpa have somewhat similar leaves, but once you place them one next to the other you realize they are quite different.
September 6, 2020
The pandemic was left me with a new-found love of trees and a desire to know more about them (no, I don't understand it either). But this book is just what I've been looking for. Instead of lengthy descriptions using botany terms the average reader doesn't understand, Symonds sticks to photo images of key parts of a tree - seeds, flowers, leaves, etc. - as an easier way to identify trees. It's genius! Many of the images are life-size or half-scale, so it's easy to match up whatever leaf, for example, you're looking for.
I only wish this was in color. The black and white is helpful, but color would be even more so. Still, this is my favorite tree book so far!
I only wish this was in color. The black and white is helpful, but color would be even more so. Still, this is my favorite tree book so far!
July 3, 2017
This is a good guide for identifying trees. Their are a lot of pictures, but some of them would have been more helpful in color.
May 30, 2021
I love trees and learning about them. This is a reference book, and a bit too cumbersome for taking to the field, but the novel approach to identifying trees is refreshing. Simple and direct. Clearly a short cut approach to many of the "main" types of trees. On the positive, photos are given to leaf structure, bark, twig, and flower. On the negative, each of the previous categories are in separate areas. I also appreciate knowing "range" for a species. Other than that, not a bad choice for your book shelf, but for the field there are better options.
January 1, 2021
If you were only to get one book to begin learning how to identify trees of the northwest, I would recommend this book. Easily groups each identifiable trait (leaves, flowers, bark, fruits, twigs, etc...) by which look most similar and has a separate section where it groups trees by species and related species. Really wonderfully empowering in knowing the local fauna around you.
October 1, 2019
This book is middling useful. It would be spectacularly useful if the photos were in color. They are all in black and white. Any nuance or differences in bark, or flowers, etc. are completely muddled and lost here.
March 27, 2009
If you ever want to look at a tree and figure out what kind it is easily, this is the book to use. It has it set up in a simple way so that you don't have to be an expert on trees to be able to identify them. I found this and went into my backyard and figured out exactly what trees we have out there.
March 10, 2010
Magazine size format so the pics of leaves can be large, which is what you need if you've ever been trying to identify a tree from a book. Breaks down the ID method into easy steps. Poof you're Johnny Appleseed.
March 14, 2010
Full size photos! Take it outside and learn you some trees.
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May 16, 2015If you really need to identify trees, this is the book for you. A veritable trove of useful information you can use to figure out what "that one tree" is.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews