A Field Guide to Western Trees (Peterson Field Guides: 44) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Roger Tory Peterson (Editor), Olivia Petrides (Illustrator) "Larches: Needles 12-14 on warty spur branches, single on long twigs, drop in autumn..." (more)
Key Phrases: minor leaflets, twigs hairless, major leaflets, Native Americans, Sierra Nevada, Ponderosa Pine (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

An authoritative book that includes every tree that grows wild in western North America, including Alaska. Using the unique system of identification employed in the author's other tree books, the 387 trees of the region are divided into six major groups according to conspicuous characteristics. Within those categories, trees that look alike are brought together and compared in text and illustration, regardless of whether they are related or not.

The color plates, beautifully painted by Olivia Petrides, the author's daughter and Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, emphasize details that may not be present or clearly visible in a photograph. Differences between trees that resemble each other are also listed in distinctive comparison charts. With range maps, keys, descriptions, and illustrations, the user can identify trees at any season, even when without leaves. Technical terminology is converted into plain English. The values of trees and their use by wildlife, Native Americans, and campers also are discussed. -- From the Author --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

This newly designed field guide features detailed descriptions of 387 species, arranged in six major groups by visual similarity. The 47 color plates and 5 text drawings show distinctive details needed for identification. Color photographs and 295 color range maps accompany the species descriptions.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Second Edition edition (July 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395904544
• ISBN-13: 978-0395904541
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,277 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explore a New World, November 5, 2006

By	J. Perry "Lost in the Fog" (San Francisco, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

I am a birder but always wanted to ID the trees that the birds were perched in. I first took this book out in the field to the Arboretums in San Francisco and Berkeley. I found the book easy to use for IDing native trees. I also took this book with me on a trip to the eastern Sierras and trees that I have previously looked at as "pines" turned into Lodgepole, Mountain Hemlock, Whitebark, Red and White Fir, and Jerrery Pine. It really opened up a new world for me. And naming nature is one way to understanding the wonderfully diverse tree species of the west.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just exactly the right amout of information, May 31, 2009

By	Joan E. Hartsough "Joan & Dennis" (Anderson, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

We built a cabin in the mountains and I wanted to be able to distinguish cedars from spruce from pines from ???. We've learned so much from this book. It has exactly the right amount of information to educate without overwhelming. The book is now stuffed with leaves, needles and locations as we become educated about our environment.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good book, October 25, 2008

By	K. Kingery "karkeys" (Aberdeen, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is great for people that like to look up trees and the book was in great shape