This is an older book that I acquired from my dad's collection of books. I can see that he took a lot of inspiration from the photos and sketches in this book in his artwork. The book is very "old school" (1st edition 1952). The particular edition that I read was from 1974. A very relaxing read. The author almost waxes poetically about trees across the United States, stretching from tropical Florida to the west coast of California. It's nice to think that there are some very large and old pine (e.g., Great Basin bristlecone pines) and sequoia trees in California that existed here thousands of years before the first European explorers set foot in this country ...
The copy I have was well used by whoever had it before me. The paper is yellow and falling out, but it adds to the mystique. It's amazing how these "old" books have tidbits of knowledge that doesn't show up in modern textbooks. So even though I have a biology degree with many botany courses, I can still enjoy and learn from an obscure general audience book. Between that and the feel of my copy, I feel like I have a hidden treasure.
The most delightful field guide ever. Platt is full of wonder and awe, and speaks of each type of tree in such a loving, familiar way that it makes you adore them. His descriptions are at times poetic, at times friendly as if describing a good companion.