Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast [Paperback]

Robert Van Pelt (Author), Robert Pelt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0295981407 | ISBN-13: 978-0295981406 | Publication Date: January 2002 | Edition: 1

The forests of the Pacific Coast are the tallest and densest on earth. Even after a century of intensive exploitation, their trees remain unmatched in overall size, height, and age. "Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast" is a guide to the 20 largest species of conifers in North America - from the southern Sierras to Vancouver Island, and from the coast to north-western Montana. Overviews of 20 species feature: colour maps showing distribution of species and locations of individual giant trees; comparative drawings and measurements of giants; colour photographs of typical trees and cones; and, discussion of species and comparison of giants. Individual profiles of 117 giant trees feature: line drawings; colour photographs; measurements; and, description of history, preservation, characteristics, present condition, and location. Giant trees are those with the greatest wood volume. From the Ponderosa Pine 'Bear Creek Twin' to the Coast Douglas Fir 'Ol' Jed', from Giant Sequoias to Western Redcedars, the trees are depicted as individuals. All are unique specimens that represent the extremes to which their species can grow. To seek out the ruling giants and their neighbouring contenders, Robert Van Pelt has travelled the length and breadth of the Pacific Coast and its forests, equipped with a camera, a sketchpad, and a survey laser, amassing a database of over 5,000 individual trees. "Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast" will be of interest to hikers and naturalists as well as to arborists, foresters, and arm-chair explorers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This fascinating book documents in detail many but certainly not all of the truly marvellous individual giant trees of the Pacific coast of North America, considered to be the tallest and most dense forests on earth."--Tree News, OCtober 2005 "This fascinating book documents in detail many but certainly not all of the truly marvellous individual giant trees to be found in the forests of the Pacific coast of North America ... The book begins with a fascinating section on tree measuring ... Photographs of these tree titans are accompanied by Van Pelt's own immaculate pen drawings of each individual tree... The drawings are remarkable not only for the skill and artistry of the depictions but also because every detail you see on the tree has been exactly measured with lasers to provide a picture of unprecendented accuracy."--Tree News, Autumn/Winter 2005

About the Author

Robert Van Pelt is a research associate in forest ecology at the University of Washington and Evergreen State College. He began the Washington State Big Tree Program in 1987, when he became the state coordinator for the national program. He is the author of Champion Trees of Washington State.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press; 1 edition (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295981407
• ISBN-13: 978-0295981406
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,395,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Tree Lovers!, January 28, 2002

By 

George Koch (Flagstaff, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast (Paperback)

This is an awesome book of personal accounts, illustrations, and photographs of magnificent individuals of Pacific coast conifers. Van Pelt knows these trees like no one else, having journied to, measured, and stood in awe at each of the giants depicted. His writes with witty reverence and from a deep understanding of the ecology of giant trees. Featured in the book are the author's beautiful line drawings of the trees, which capture the amazing structural complexity of their crowns in a way not possible with photographs. This book is a must for all tree lovers and those interested in coffee table adventuring into the last great forests of the Pacific coast.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GET THIS BOOK!!!!!, September 6, 2003

By 

Francis F. Kilkenny "france_8" (Charlottesville, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast (Paperback)

This book rocks! It inspires as well as informs! The line drawings are especially amazing. Van Pelt selects specific angles for each drawing, such that he captures the unique qualities of each individual tree. These renderings are beautiful and accurate. Each one can be studied for hours. The photographs could have been a bit more creative, but he follows an effective strategy by showing a human in most pictures. This allows the reader to understand the immense size of these giants. The text provides an excellent natural history, conveying to the reader an intertwined tale of ecology, history, and discovery. Lastly, I was especially impressed with the fact that Van Pelt included so many tree species and individuals. By doing this he has allowed us to truly appreciate the diversity, beauty and uniqueness of these amazing trees.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful work of beauty, this is a classic, December 23, 2004

By 

Richard Preston (New York, USA, Earth, Orion Arm, Milky Way Galaxy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast (Paperback)

This book affects people deeply. Certainly it did me. It is a simple and absolutely passionately beautiful account of giant trees, how they're discovered, how they're measured. Van Pelt's drawings are amazing. I think this book is a classic and I think it will live in print for many, many years.