Forest Leaves: How to Identify Trees and Shrubs of Northern New England

Rating:
Summary: fine field guide to the leaves of northern New England
Review: This is a helpful guide for identifying trees and shrubs in the New England region. After a brief introduction on technique, over 120 species are described. Each entry is two pages -- one a b&w line drawing of the leaves/needles, and the other a text description that includes the common and scientific name as well as information about the specimen's range, habitat, profile, branching, shoots, leaves, buds, twigs, bole, bark and fruit. Species are organized by taxonomic family and include:yew, pine, willow, walnut, hazel, beech, elm, rose, sumac, holly, maple, dogwood, heath, honeysuckle and others. The book concludes with helpful identification shortcuts, a reading list and a good index.

This is not a perfect book: the introduction is helpful but not terribly informative, there are no maps, there are no color photographs (how about a color insert of transitional leaves?), and the coloring on the cover and spine make it almost impossible to read the title of the book; however, this is otherwise a solid and extremely helpful field guide that will add to your enjoyment of the New England forest, whether it's in the backwoods or your backyard.

Rating:
Summary: fine field guide to the leaves of northern New England
Review: This is a helpful guide for identifying trees and shrubs in the New England region. After a brief introduction on technique, over 120 species are described. Each entry is two pages -- one a b&w line drawing of the leaves/needles, and the other a text description that includes the common and scientific name as well as information about the specimen's range, habitat, profile, branching, shoots, leaves, buds, twigs, bole, bark and fruit. Species are organized by taxonomic family and include:yew, pine, willow, walnut, hazel, beech, elm, rose, sumac, holly, maple, dogwood, heath, honeysuckle and others. The book concludes with helpful identification shortcuts, a reading list and a good index.

This is not a perfect book: the introduction is helpful but not terribly informative, there are no maps, there are no color photographs (how about a color insert of transitional leaves?), and the coloring on the cover and spine make it almost impossible to read the title of the book; however, this is otherwise a solid and extremely helpful field guide that will add to your enjoyment of the New England forest, whether it's in the backwoods or your backyard.