Native Trees of the Southeast: An Identification Guide [Illustrated] [Paperback]

L. Katherine Kirkman (Author), Donald J. Leopold (Author), Claud L. Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 4, 2007

The diversity of woody plants in the Southeast is unparalleled in North America. Native Trees of the Southeast is a practical, compact field guide for the identification of the more than 225 trees native to the region, from the Carolinas and eastern Tennessee south through Georgia into northern Florida and west through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas into eastern Texas. For confident identification, nearly 600 photographs, close to 500 of them in color, illustrate leaves, flowers and fruits or cones, bark, and twigs with buds. Full descriptions are accompanied by keys for plants in both summer and winter condition, as well as over 200 range maps. Crucial differences between plants that may be mistaken for each other are discussed and notes on the uses of the trees in horticulture, forestry, and for wildlife are included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“I found this book to be very informative and a good source for any amateur or avid outdoorsman.” (Journal of the Botanical Research of Texas )

From the Back Cover

• Describes 229 trees native to the southeastern United States
• 591 photographs fully integrated into the text
• Range maps show tree distributions in the Southeast and adjoining areas
• Covers the Carolinas, eastern Tennessee, Georgia, northern Florida, Alabama, Mississipi, Louisiana, and eastern Arkansas and Texas
• Includes keys to trees in both summer and winter conditions
• Compact, field-friendly refernece for students, professionals, tree lovers and native plant enthusiasts

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (June 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881928283
• ISBN-13: 978-0881928280
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Plants > Trees
  • #32 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Text for Tree Identification, November 4, 2007

By 

B. Keeland (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Native Trees of the Southeast: An Identification Guide (Paperback)

Native Trees of the Southeast by Kirkman et al. is an excellent field guide. As a professional forest ecologist I'm often faced with field identification problems for several groups of species. As such we usually carry several plant keys, floras, and field guides with us. These manuals are not always helpful because of the broad overlap in characteristics among similar species. Native Trees of the Southeast is a cut above for at least three reasons. First, the keys provided are concise and easy to use. Not all sources provide keys. Second, the inclusion of winter keys (a rare occurrence) is of particular assistance. Third, for each individual species the authors provide a section on how to distinguish that species from others that are similar in appearance. This last item alone makes this book a must have for anyone interested in tree identification.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I have found so far, October 19, 2007

By 

Cowlick (McDonough, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Native Trees of the Southeast: An Identification Guide (Paperback)

This is the best field guide to southeastern trees I have found yet. It was exactly what I was looking for to help identify the hardwoods on our property (of which I have identified over a dozen species so far) as well as in the Appalachians when we go on hikes. The abundant color photos were exactly what I was after. The range maps are also very helpful for process of elimination. I have a much more comprehensive guide to eastern North American trees which contains more information than this one, but it has only line drawings for identification and is much harder for me to use. The only addition to this guide that would be nice for a novice would be one or more indexes based upon leaf shape and/or other attributes.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars informative, easy to use, helpful photography, April 23, 2008

By 

darren - See all my reviews

This review is from: Native Trees of the Southeast: An Identification Guide (Paperback)

This is an excellent guide- The dichotomous keys rely on traits observable in the field, and are separated into summer and winter keys. Each species entry includes descriptions of relevant leaf, twig, bark, flower, and fruit traits, with color photos (with the text, not in a separate section) and distribution maps. One of my favorite features of the book is the "Distinguishing Characteristics" passage for each species; for some reason, some other keys I've used neglect to mention some very obvious identifying traits that are included here. There is also a glossary and illustrated descriptions of ID terms that would make this an easy key for beginners too.