Customer Reviews

Fandex Family Field Guides: Trees

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My kids find the Fandex format easy to use, and the information on them accessible. We have several, and they're fun for all of us to use together.

I like the fact that each page has illustrations that show the leaf, bark, and seeds. There is a brief description of the tree, some history as well as typical usage. Each page has the following descriptive categories: Leaves; Bark; Flowers; Fruit or Cones; Seeds; Tree Shape; Habitat; Range; and Other Names. Mind you, this is not a complete and scientific field guide for adults, but rather a book a family can take out on a day hike and have fun using.

The only quibble I have about these decks is that sometimes when they're completely fanned out, the edges of the illustrations get caught up in each other, making it hard to close them properly. But other than that, they're cute, informative, and a nice format for kids.

This guide is very easy to reference the tree that you are looking for without having to read a tremendous amount of information in typical identification guides.

The Guide is good for initial identification to instruct and interest children. It also contains enough important information to impress the nature lover. The historical data and other interesting information makes for good reading.

I was very disappointed with this "book." I felt the variety of trees found in this collection to be far too minimal. If you plan on learning about trees in the winter, good luck. The primary method for identification is based on leaves. Although you can identify trees based on bark, etc. it would take hours with this manual. Also, it is far to bulky and awkward to comfortably carry along on a hike.

I read a lot of field guides, and the format of this one is a stroke of genius. You match the leaf to the die cut leaves at the top of the "book" and you're well on your way. My kids also adore it.

I would use this "guide" more if I could ever find what i'm looking for, but they are organised alphabetically and not by type or shape. Although the cards provide great information it is difficult to find what tree you're looking at with these. They could be unscrewed and used differently, and there is an index. Kids think they're fun because of the leaf shapes and design, but they quickly get frustrated flipping through them. it's also hard to close because of the various leaf shapes. Overall it doesn't get used much because more often than not it doesn't have what i'm looking for, or enough trees to be worth using as an identification tool. If you want to teach kids basic trees this could be good, but I would start with what's in the yard, and only half of those are in this book.

I love trees and am always interested in learning more about them. I have quite a few books on trees and shrubs and how to use them in the landscape and have had a few courses along this line. I am always looking for something easy to take along to the woods to be a quick reference and was very excited with the fandex guide. The leaf pictures are very good, the description of habitat and bark, fruit and coloration in a very compact little guide is something I look forward to enjoying for a long time.

I bought this as a gift for a friend who just purchased forested land. He found it very useful in identify the trees on his property; his only wish was that there where more trees in it /and/or that they had a series of these to buy to cover all species grouped by regions. This item is good for all ages; it is written with enough information to get the basics down and has an excellent visual system for pratical identification of the illustrated species.