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Rating: 
Summary: a simple pocket guide
Review: Great, basic guide book for gaining a more acute sense of native trees in Wisconsin including many common, non-native species as well. 101 different trees are highlighted, 16 conifers and 85 deciduous. The book has a nice layout, ideal for quick reference use, with a good full page color photo for each tree. The trees are grouped according to their leaf type. Handy icons for these groups appear in the upper right-hand page corner and down by the page number. There is also, an icon made for visually understanding the mature tree size, comparing it to a 2-story house. Short profile text describes the characteristics of a tree's overall shape, height and appearance, needle/leaf, bark, flower, fruit, fall foliage, origin, average lifespan, habitat and region. Common names appear first at the top of the page with botanical names and family classification right underneath in smaller print. At the bottom of the page is a paragraph of Stan's Notes which feature the "gee-wiz" facts of interest, even if the plant is known to be edible or poisonous. This basic information layout is kept consistent throughout the book for each tree. What is not consistent are comments of when in bloom or with berry. A few, though not all trees listed have small insert photos to show fruit and flowers. All trees do have a small insert photo for identifying the bark. The book has a good introduction and a nice glossary that even gives a tree example for some terminology. Plus there is a checklist at the back. A nice sized, simple, easy reading handbook, kept comprehensible for the average, everyday nature nut. Recommendable as a first-time field guide.
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