Fantastic Trees [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Edwin A. Menninger (Author), James E. Eckenwalder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1995

A remarkable book, of special interest to young naturalists, that presents a rogue's gallery of trees that thrust their roots into the air, produce flowers and fruit underground, tell time, make noises, change sex, commit suicide, or create their own rain. This edition includes updated nomenclature.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

A remarkable book, particularly fascinating for young naturalists, that presents a kind of rogue's gallery of trees that thrust their roots into the air, produce flowers & fruit underground, tell time, make noises, change sex, commit suicide, or create their own rain. This edition includes updated nomenclature.

About the Author

A journalist by training, Menninger is a master storyteller, recounting in colorful lay language the botanical complexities of his cherished fantastic trees. He documents both individual trees which have been shaped by environmental stress, and species that have adapted over time to odd patterns when faced with the challenge of survival.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated; reprint edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881923249
• ISBN-13: 978-0881923247
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #707,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A "gawker's handbook" on trees, August 6, 2000

By 

P. van Rijckevorsel (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fantastic Trees (Hardcover)

This is a reprint of a 1967 original, but actually it looks even older, both in the kind of illustrations (smallish black & white photographs of a quality that varies from fair to excellent) and in the style it is written. I imagine this will be prevent it from being very popular among today's spoiled readers.

Having said that, there is a wealth of information here measured out in easy-to-digest bits. It is good that this book continues to be in print: it will reward the reader who takes the trouble of digging out what he needs.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read, July 13, 2009

By 

C. Schneider "A fossil lover" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fantastic Trees (Paperback)

I must have read a different book. For those literate enough to read epiphanies of various, exotic tree species around the world, as in how they factor in culture and folklore, the products obtained from their fruit, wood and bark and their general geography, one can't do better than reading Menninger's work. Although I have a B.S. in biology and I firmly believe in evolution as well, I wasn't offended by the biblical references found in his writing. In fact it imbues the book with a wellspring of natural theology which I find touching. A great book to read on a quiet evening.

5.0 out of 5 stars thank you!, December 28, 2011

By 

Patrice Vecchione - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fantastic Trees (Hardcover)

Perfect in every way. Thank you so much for getting this hard to find book to me. It adds much to my life.