Customer Reviews

Tropical and Subtropical Trees: An Encyclopedia

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is not easy to say something sensible about this book. It is just too overwhelming. As can be expected these days of the Timber Press this is a lavishly illustrated, gorgeously printed and handsomely bound volume. Lay-out is immaculate. All pictures (full color) are of a beautiful quality, or better. An immense amount of information is given for each species (usually one page is devoted to each species). In view of the wealth of information provided, there is a huge potential for error, but the book appears to be remarkably error-free. A curious error is that of using "cv." before a cultivar epithet. The one error-prone category here is that of the author abbreviations in the botanical names: these do not consistently follow the recommended standard and, from time to time, are in something of a mess. Obviously, this is unlikely to trouble those who belong to the book's target audience. The other thing that can be questioned is its aim to cram so many trees into one book. However, for someone wanting a handy (if big) one-volume work on (sub)tropical trees this cannot be recommended enough. It will also make a lovely gift to just about anybody.

I have bought several copies for my book store customers here in Panama, and all are delighted with this book. Though a bit cumbersome, it is certainly thorough, and a valuable research tool for anyone interested in the flora of the tropics. It's beautifully illustrated, a book to display as well as study, typical of Timber Press' fine volumes.

An imprescinble issue for all lovers of tropical trees. Very good colour pictures and excellent and short information. The USDA zones assigned to trees sometimes are not accuracy in my experience.

although general good, I'd like it to be more cautious about the frost hardiness of each species(The reason I bought it).There are trees that are described as being more tender than they are and other that are more hardy to frosts than in reallity. I mean that USDA zones are sometimes not so accurate for some species described

But beyond this there is a great amount of information inside it and many pictures also

I had this book on my wish list and got it for Christmas 05. I can't say anything bad about it. Very clear pictures not the line drawings. Very clearly explained and well layed out. I would recomend this book to anybody interested in learning about tropical tree's. It even had a tree that you don't find in a lot of books