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California Natural History Guides #62
Trees and Shrubs of California
California's varied landscape is characterized by a spectacular abundance of plant life, including a magnificent variety of trees and shrubs. This is the first book to combine the trees and shrubs of California in one accessible field guide. Trees and Shrubs of California identifies and describes native California tree species and most common shrub species. The text is complemented by more than 200 beautiful line drawings, 300 range maps, and 40 color photographs.
In their introduction, the authors discuss the dominant vegetation types, climates, principal landforms, and elevations of California's ecological regions. They explain the classification system and nomenclature used in the book, which includes both scientific and common plant names and is based on the 1993 edition of The Jepson Manual. The authors also provide a step-by-step explanation of how to use the dichotomous keys to identify plants and distinguish between trees and shrubs.
This user-friendly field guide minimizes technical terms and includes a checklist, making it an invaluable resource on California's profuse vegetation.
In their introduction, the authors discuss the dominant vegetation types, climates, principal landforms, and elevations of California's ecological regions. They explain the classification system and nomenclature used in the book, which includes both scientific and common plant names and is based on the 1993 edition of The Jepson Manual. The authors also provide a step-by-step explanation of how to use the dichotomous keys to identify plants and distinguish between trees and shrubs.
This user-friendly field guide minimizes technical terms and includes a checklist, making it an invaluable resource on California's profuse vegetation.
500 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 24, 2016
In the introduction, the authors note that "To classify is a natural human trait." I would heartily agree (Genesis 2:19,20). I always appreciate reading introductory chapters of natural history guides to gain overview of the subject matter. In this case, the authors present a summary of the woody flora found in twenty ecological regions of California - - from the low, hot Sonora desert to the short summers and snowy winters found in the high Sierra Nevada. I also appreciated the precise definition of trees being: "woody plants having one erect perennial stem or trunk at least 3 inches in diameter at breast height of 4.5 feet, a more or less definitely formed crown of foliage, and a height of at least 13 feet." Forests are defined as having "more than 20% canopy cover" while woodlands have less. My only criticism of the guide is that it does not (cannot?) include all species of shrubs, particularly the abundant manzanita and ceanothus families. The authors should have at least noted this in the introduction, and included their criteria for what was included. Otherwise, this is a handy guide and key to some of the botanical treasures found in California.
December 9, 2011
Great reference book on California trees and shrubs, includes just about all of the common trees and shrubs found in forests, woodlands, and chaparrals, but less focus on desert species, although there are several listed.
July 13, 2017
A classic field guide to be used for "keying" (pinnate or double-pinnate, alternate or opposite leaves, etc) trees & shrubs and for reference.
After making a few broad identifications of your plant, you are directed to a genus with several species descriptions -- generally speaking, the book is alphabetized by genus within the broad categories of conifers and broadleafs. This bring me to one minor criticism, which is that each genus should have also included its plant family Latin & common name, rose family, pea family, etc. It wouldn't take up much more space and personally I find knowing a plant's relatives the easiest way to learn it. Maybe for the 2nd edition.
I'm no expert, but Stuart & Sawyer's guide seems quite botanically rigorous. Which is great for the intermediate and serious nature students, but is probably overkill for the very beginner or casual sightseers who may want to just identify a few common species on sight using images rather than they keying process. There are many great line drawings, but they are mostly of leaves, seeds, flowers, etc, up close; there are almost no drawings of the trees or shrubs at a distance that would allow quick visualization of the growth habit (there are written descriptions of habit) which I find to be an important part of id'ing and in fact enjoying trees/shrubs in the landscape. And there is a folio of photographs, but not enough plants are featured be much use to use for ID without the formal key.
as another reviewer noted, some of species in the multitudinous & hybridizing ceanothus, manzanita and ribes genera were left out. On the other hand, the pines seemed to be thoroughly detailed & differentiated which is not easy for the casual observer. Likewise other conifers & oaks, in particular.
Finally, there are a few bits of history, ecology and plant lore mentioned here, but not enough to make this a read-for-fun book after the first scan. It's definitely more of a reference book and field guide, with the info presented in a standardized way.
So if you're ready to nail down some specific species of trees & shrubs, I absolutely recommend this rigorous, systematic guide. On the other hand, if you're just getting started with California nature study, I'd begin with something with more pictures and descriptive natural history essays.
After making a few broad identifications of your plant, you are directed to a genus with several species descriptions -- generally speaking, the book is alphabetized by genus within the broad categories of conifers and broadleafs. This bring me to one minor criticism, which is that each genus should have also included its plant family Latin & common name, rose family, pea family, etc. It wouldn't take up much more space and personally I find knowing a plant's relatives the easiest way to learn it. Maybe for the 2nd edition.
I'm no expert, but Stuart & Sawyer's guide seems quite botanically rigorous. Which is great for the intermediate and serious nature students, but is probably overkill for the very beginner or casual sightseers who may want to just identify a few common species on sight using images rather than they keying process. There are many great line drawings, but they are mostly of leaves, seeds, flowers, etc, up close; there are almost no drawings of the trees or shrubs at a distance that would allow quick visualization of the growth habit (there are written descriptions of habit) which I find to be an important part of id'ing and in fact enjoying trees/shrubs in the landscape. And there is a folio of photographs, but not enough plants are featured be much use to use for ID without the formal key.
as another reviewer noted, some of species in the multitudinous & hybridizing ceanothus, manzanita and ribes genera were left out. On the other hand, the pines seemed to be thoroughly detailed & differentiated which is not easy for the casual observer. Likewise other conifers & oaks, in particular.
Finally, there are a few bits of history, ecology and plant lore mentioned here, but not enough to make this a read-for-fun book after the first scan. It's definitely more of a reference book and field guide, with the info presented in a standardized way.
So if you're ready to nail down some specific species of trees & shrubs, I absolutely recommend this rigorous, systematic guide. On the other hand, if you're just getting started with California nature study, I'd begin with something with more pictures and descriptive natural history essays.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews