Pacific Coast Tree Finder: A Manual for Identifying Pacific Coast Trees

Nature Study Guides

by Tom Watts

Guide to identifying native trees of the Pacific Coast region, from British Columbia to Baja California, by their leaves and needles. Organized as a dichotomous key, the book leads the user through a series of simple questions about the shape or appearance of different parts of a tree. Illustrated with line drawings. The small (6" by 4") format fits in pocket or pack to take along on a hike.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Nature, Field Guides, Outdoors, Science, Plants

Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not to my taste but still really informative and the ruler on the back is so clever to include

[Elizabeth McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I marked this as "read", but it's not really a book for "reading". This handy little book, about 3" x 5", helps you identify native trees (and some common invasives) of the Pacific coast. It does this dichotomous-key style, which is kind of like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure approach to identification:

If the needles are arranged in a spiral pattern, go to this symbol below.
If the needles are across from each other in pairs, go to page 32.

It's not entirely comprehensive - for example, it will help you identify that a tree is a cypress, but not which of the many cypresses it is - but it is completely adequate for the casual tree-observer. It is also incredibly easy for children or adults to use, and will slip easily into the pocket of a backpack.

[Pubudu Wariyapola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cool resource to keep in your pocket as you explore the wilderness. Helped me learn a lot about the trees in the area. Recommend using along with a more descriptive guide (this mostly is a binary model that uses specific characteristics of a tree - primarily leaf shape - to determine the tree type). A descriptive guide will allow you to confirm/reject the suggestion based on the binary model.

[Karen Harper Ren Ruggiero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the niftiest little book ever. It leads you to the right tree by asking a series of either/or questions. Simple, concise, and fun. I'm going to keep this in my pocket forever.

[Saleris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My little book is (I think) the original 1963 publication titled "California Tree Finder". I used it on Girl Scout camping trips in the mid to late 70's and it was great.

[subgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having seriously big issues with the way this book is laid out. I can't ID a tree from it, but it's fun to look at the species around.