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Did you know that a single seed can cross an ocean? Or what happens when a leaf dies? Learn about the different varieties of the world's trees, from the tiny acorn to forest giants of California. Everything you need to know about anything to do with trees and great for project work.

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

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171 people want to read

About the author

David Burnie

163 books25 followers
David Andrew Burnie is an accomplished zoologist who was a nature reserve ranger before becoming a natural history author and editor. A prolific writer of many books, including several on dinosaurs, he has seen many of his titles win educational awards and science prizes. His titles for Kingfisher include Kingfisher Knowledge: Endangered Planet and The Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia, which was nominated for the Aventis Prize for Science Books in 2002.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Philip.
1,763 reviews111 followers
August 16, 2024
How can you NOT love trees?

This book does the usual first-rate DK job of briefly but thoroughly covering every aspect of forestdom - not just the whole seeds/bark/cones/leaves/fruit/needles bit, but peripheral topics like the timber industry, acid rain, good and bad insects and animals, etc. - its pretty much all in there somewhere, including this interesting illustration of how (and how NOT) to cut timber in order to maximize the "good" (i.e., won't warp with the grain) amount of lumber:



Meanwhile, in the "everything I learned in primary school is BS" category, it turns out my childhood understanding that trees are either "coniferous" or "deciduous" is totally wrong. Trees are either "coniferous" (cone-bearing) or "broadleaf" (having, y'know, broad leaves), and can be either "deciduous" or "evergreen." "Deciduous" simply means "loses its leaves in winter;" and while most deciduous trees are indeed braodleafs, there are in fact a few conifers that do shed their leaves (some larches and redwoods). Conversely, "evergreens" - which in general are your coniferous guys - actually include some broadleafs that DON'T lose their leaves at all (some oaks and magnolias). And don't even get me stared on palm trees...

Also interesting: the "dawn redwood" is apparently the "coelacanth" of the tree world, in that it was known only from fossils and so thought to be extinct up until the 1940's, when living trees discovered in China. The things you learn!
Profile Image for Little Timmy.
7,371 reviews58 followers
February 8, 2016
OK I know these are supposed to be kid books but they are awesome! Great pictures and just enough text to make you want to learn more. Great choices for a beginning history reader or to start an older reader out in a new area. Every time I pick one of these up and read it I learn new things. Highly Recommended
Profile Image for Julia.
321 reviews65 followers
May 12, 2025
This whole series is fantastic. I've been collecting them over the years. The older versions have more information than the newer ones. Full of great photos and written in an engaging and interesting style.
Profile Image for Jennifer B..
1,278 reviews29 followers
September 29, 2017
I enjoyed learning all kinds of things about trees. I have always loved trees, literally being a tree-hugger. That's right, I'd wrap my arms right around a tree. Anyway, I found this edition to be a bit less clearly explained than some of the others in the series.
Profile Image for Stella.
834 reviews17 followers
February 16, 2022
Copy I picked up is a bit dated (1988) and talks about acid rain but not climate change. Still, amazing photographs of leaves, flowers, pine cones, bark, and all the other various parts of trees. Interesting to page through and would be useful in a tree unit or nature study at school.
Profile Image for Janet.
90 reviews7 followers
May 20, 2021
Great reference for learning tree identification.
Profile Image for Laurel.
312 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2024
This illustrated nonfiction book gives a nice concise overview of the three great divisions of trees--broadleaves, conifers and palms.
Profile Image for Vannessa Anderson.
Author 0 books224 followers
February 24, 2017
As a tree lover I found Trees a fascinating read. The pictures and illustrations were eye-catching and I enjoyed learning everything taught about trees. I was overwhelmed with information and believe Trees to be a book geared towards those who might have an interest in Dendrology or Agronomist.
480 reviews9 followers
February 26, 2010
I found this book at "The Bookstore" (used bookstore) and love eyewitness books. I especially like all the pictures of different kinds of trees.
Profile Image for Theresa.
8,267 reviews134 followers
October 24, 2014
a child's resource that teaches about the function, format and the diversity of trees
1,393 reviews14 followers
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December 27, 2013
AR Quiz No. 17248 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 7.4 - AR Pts: 1.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Profile Image for Amelie.
101 reviews
May 26, 2021
Buena información y explicada de forma sencilla
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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