Tree Identification Book : A New Method for the Practical Identification and Recognition of Trees [Paperback]

George W. Symonds (Author), Stephen V. Chelminski (Photographer)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 1973

A new method for the practical identification and recognition of trees -- and an important supplement to existing botanical methods.

The book is in two parts: Pictorial Keys and Master Pages. The Keys are designed for easy visual comparison of details which look alike, narrowing the identification of a tree to one of a small group -- the family or genus.

Then, in the Master Pages, the species of the tree is determined, with similar details placed together to highlight differences within the family group, thus eliminating all other possibilities. The details of the Oak trees on this plate are an example of the system.

All of the more than 1500 photographs were made specifically for use in this book and were taken either in the field or of carefully collected specimens. Where possible, details such as leaves, fruit, etc., appear in actual size, or in the same scale.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (February 1, 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688050395
• ISBN-13: 978-0688050399
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design > Trees
  • #18 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Plants > Trees
  • #25 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Botany

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 142 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate in fast and easy identification March 19, 2000

By glcii

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Occasionally I get a chance to show this book to some other tree nut. Their first reaction is "Oh, yeah, I have a great tree book too." Then we take a mystery twig and see which book is best. Without fail, this book is quicker and easier. The next thing the tree nut is saying is, "hey let me see that book." The next thing I know I'm back on this Amazon page buying a copy to send them...

This book is a masterpiece. It is arranged so that you can take a single sign (twig, leaf, bark, etc.) and use pictorial keys to quickly narrow your search to a positive identification of a mystery tree. Sometimes you need to check additional signs, but often times the twig with a leaf or bloom that you bring back from a walk is all you need for a positive identification.

I have had my copy since 1975 and it has never let me down as I have lived in Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and points in between. The copyright date is 1958. I don't know anything about George Symonds, but he had that rare knack for making a potentially confusing and complicated topic pleasurably accessible to the average person.

This is NOT a coffee table book. It does NOT fit in your pocket. It has NO color photos. This 8.5 x 11-inch black and white volume does have incredibly clear and useful photos of all the keys. Unlike those puny photos and drawings in a pocket guide, these photos are full or one-half scale, or carefully referenced (for example bark photos include a ruler in the image). It has no stuffy writing, just the essential information in completely accessible form.

The result is a low-tech looking book that blows the doors off of any other tree ID book I have ever seen.

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tree Identification Book March 12, 2000

By Jonathan Terry, PLS

Format:Paperback

As a land surveyor, back in the early '80s, I used a copy of this book for the year-round tree identification needs associated with my work (all seasons - with or without leaves). At some point my copy of the book disappeared, but job advancement placed me in the office, so I did without.

Recently, a return to performing occasional, outside survey work revived my need to identify trees. After scanning all the books available for this purpose off-the-shelf in a large book store, I lamented the loss of this book, for I found none as useful to me as this book. I assumed it was no longer in print. But, to my delight, I surfed the web and discovered it is still in print and readily available. While its photos are B&W, and not of the highest quality (little if any apparent change in the book in two decades), the book remains a standard, in my opinion, as a tool aptly suited to its name.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars easy to use! August 5, 2001

By merrymousies

Format:Paperback

I use this book a lot. I find the black and white pictures are easy to use and the size of the book is just right. I wasn't looking for a pocket guide - (have some of those) I was looking for a guide that would really help me id the trees and this one does. I go for walks in our woods and carry this with me to id various things I see. Its great to have on hand

49 of 55 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Does not contain Western USA trees November 28, 2004

By noleander

Format:Paperback

I agree with most of the other user comments already posted (ugly book - but handy identifiation process) BUT I must point out something that no on else has said:

THIS BOOK ONLY INCLUDES TREES found in the EASTERN USA.

For those of us that live in the western USA, this book fails miserably.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A complete illustrative guide that is a handy reference. January 28, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

If you're "stumped" (get it?) to identify a tree - this is the book you need. Although illustrated with black and white photos, the book is a picture-perfect guide. Leaves, bark, seed, fruits all are categorized. Text is somewhat minimal. (I would have enjoyed knowing the history behind the naming of certain trees and other trivia). This is the books only deficiency. It is a "must have" however for the nature enthusiast.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good source for non-leaf identification. June 22, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

In all fairness, I initially viewed a 1958 copy and used it in conjunction with Roger Phillips' Trees of North America. Although the book I viewed is in black and white, it is invaluable for bark, leaf scar and winter bud identification.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have! July 24, 2000

By merrymousies

Format:Paperback

Symonds' Tree Identification Book and his Shrub Identification Book are two fantastic guides. They have load of pictures - even from different stages/ages of the plant/tree so you can more easily make the id. The book is segmented into sections like leaves, bark, flowers, etc so that whatever part of the plant you have you can look it up that way. Or, if you have anidea what it might be you can go to the master pages in the back and see the whole assortment of photos pertaining to that species in one place. Its a fantastic reference that has really taken away a lot ofthe frustration and guesswork for me.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Student Tree ID October 24, 2000

By "ledfordb"

Format:Paperback

The Ag Department at the high school that I work used this book. It's a good source for tree ID, but it could have stood to be a little bigger with more trees. But, the trees that it ID's, are thoughly ID'ed. I would have also liked to see it in color. I really liked the scale used for sizing the leaves, blooms and fruit. Very much worth the money spent.