Trees of Pennsylvania: and the Northeast [Paperback]

Charles Fergus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2002

Common and uncommon tree species described in engaging detail

Covers trees found in small woodlots, deep forests, backyards, and reverting fields

With populations of both northern and southern trees, Pennsylvania is home to a truly diverse array of species. This book describes more than 60 species of trees found in Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States in a straightforward, informative style. Includes identification details, range, growth patterns, seasonal adaptations, natural history, past and present uses, and current and future population trends, along with the author's personal observations of the trees themselves--what their nuts taste like, their barks feel like, or what it's like to see them in the wild. An invaluable addition to any nature-lover's library.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles Fergus has written numerous books about wildlife and the outdoors. He lives in the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1 edition (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811720926
• ISBN-13: 978-0811720922
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,267,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Head for the Vast PA Forests, November 13, 2002

By 

doomsdayer520 (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Trees of Pennsylvania: and the Northeast (Paperback)

Here's another winner from Charles Fergus on the natural side of Pennsylvania. Many people are unaware of the vast forests of Pennsylvania, and the surprisingly varied trees therein. Here Fergus, who is quite a readable writer, describes just about every tree to be found in Pennsylvania, both naturally or in some cases ornamental. Descriptions of the bark, leaves, fruits/nuts, ranges, and life spans of most of the trees are described in detail. A refreshing aspect of this book is that Fergus has made real efforts to see specimens of many of these trees himself, sometimes extremely remote and rare specimens. One interesting chapter covers trees that are not native to PA but were introduced either purposefully or accidentally, with either good or bad consequences for the ecosystem. I was not aware that weeping willows and apple trees are not native to Pennsylvania. The only problem with this book is a general shortage of illustrations, meaning you'll have to rely on text descriptions of leaf shape or bark texture alone, making it hard to prospect for noteworthy trees yourself. But this is probably just a production constraint, and pictures can be found elsewhere without too much trouble.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a book for beginning ID, February 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Trees of Pennsylvania: and the Northeast (Paperback)

If you have a background in forestry and already know your trees then this book is fine for such things as additional research. If you are looking for a book to help you with tree identification in the field look elsewhere. There are very few pictures to help the beginner and flipping through to read the descriptions to figure it out gets annoying.