Trees of Western North America

Richard Spellenberg, a botanist and specialist in plant taxonomy, is the author of the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers, Western Region. Christopher J. Earle is an ecologist whose specialties include forest ecology and conifer biology. Gil Nelson is a botanist and the coauthor of the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America and the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States. David More is regarded as one of the finest botanical illustrators in the world. He has illustrated a number of tree guides, including the acclaimed Collins Tree Guide and The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Trees (Princeton).

"Covering more species (630 in the West, 825 in the East) than any comparable field guides, Trees of Western North America and Trees of Eastern North America are the most comprehensive, best illustrated, and easiest-to-use books of their kind. The book features thousands of meticulous color paintings by David More and easy-to-read descriptions present details of size, shape, growth habit, bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, habitat, and range. With an unmatched combination of breadth and depth, these are essential guides for every tree lover."--James A. Baggett, Better Homes and Gardens "Each volume on its own would serve you well in getting to know the trees around you better. Both together certainly provide a more complete understanding of the diversity of North American trees. I already treasure my two-volume set and expect to wear it out quickly."--Guy Sternberg, American Gardener "Highly recommended for botany reference shelves!"--James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review "Excellent additions to any botanical library."--Steve Whysall, Vancouver Sun "The book is attractively designed, and each species description provides scientific and common names; a handy 'Quick ID' sentence; detailed, terse physical description; sections titled 'Habitat/Range' and 'Similar Species'; and a range map... [An] excellent reference."--Choice "These new references offer up-to-date information as well as a treasure trove of specially commissioned drawings showcasing trees both in their majestic entirety as well as in stunning, separate close-ups detailing their bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit. Such comprehensive works are impressive scholarly achievements, providing lay users with helpful assistance via 'Quick ID' summaries and range maps within entries. These are lush botanical resources from an esteemed source guaranteed to please all audiences."--Judy Quinn, Library Journal "These volumes are masterfully designed, and More's exquisitely detailed renderings will ensure that weekend botanists never mistake their Hercules' club for a common hoptree."--Bill Cannon, Scientist's Bookshelf "Astonishing... The illustrations in the Princeton tree volume are superb: colorful, accurate, and appealing."--Ed Kanze, Adirondack Explorer "Even if you don't love trees, you'll love these books."--Devorah Bennu, GrrlScientist, The Guardian "Without a doubt, this is a book that should be on the library shelf of every person interested in Georgia trees. Even better, it should be in all of our packs, right next to the hiking stick, ready to go!"--Hal Massie, BotSoc News (Georgia Botanical Society) "Whether you're faced with a saguaro or a sequoia, a hawthorn or a hemlock, this easy guide will surely get you to the birch in time."--Matthew Bettelheim, (bio)accumulation blog "With the publication of Trees of Western North America and its companion volume, Trees of Eastern North America, we have a reference set that will serve us well for generations."--Acorn, South Sound Chapter of Washington Native Plant Society "Everyone who ventures into the outdoors should have a copy in their backpack."--Frank Sousa, MassLive "For that subset of plant aficionados interested in the more arboreal members of our flora, this book should fill that bill. I have come away with a whole new set of what will probably be marginal plants to search out and try."--Jim Borland, Aquilegia "This guide is great for identifying trees throughout western Canada and the United States, particularly for botanists on the move."--Kimberly Gould, Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter "A splendid book, comprehensive in a way that readily answers the questions I bring home from the field."--Paul J. Willis, Books and Culture

• Introduction 6 About This Book 6 Taxonomy and Names 7 Gymnosperms and Angiosperms 7 Tree Biology 9 Forest Structure 18 Leaf Keys 19 Key to the Gymnosperms by Leaf Type 20 Key to Selected Angiosperm Trees by Leaf Shape 21 THE TREES Gymnosperms 26 Conifers 26 Ginkgoaceae: Ginkgo Family 27 Araucariaceae: Araucaria Family 28 Cupressaceae: Cypress Family 30 Pinaceae: Pine Family 55 Taxaceae: Yew Family 110 Angiosperms 112 Monocots 112 Arecaceae: Palm Family 112 Asparagaceae: Asparagus Family 118 Dicots 130 Adoxaceae: Moschatel Family 130 Anacardiaceae: Cashew Family 134 Apocynaceae: Oleander Family 148 Aquifoliaceae: Holly Family 149 Araliaceae: Ginseng Family 152 Asteraceae: Aster Family 152 Betulaceae: Birch Family 156 Bignoniaceae: Bignonia Family 172 Boraginaceae: Borage Family 176 Buddlejaceae: Buddleja Family 178 Burseraceae: Torchwood Family 178 Cactaceae: Cactus Family 180 Cannabaceae: Hemp Family 199 Celastraceae: Bittersweet Family 204 Cornaceae: Dogwood Family 206 Ebenaceae: Ebony Family 210 Elaeagnaceae: Oleaster Family 212 Ericaceae: Heath Family 216 Euphorbiaceae: Spurge Family 226 Fabaceae: Bean or Pea Family 230 Fagaceae: Beech or Oak Family 276 Garryaceae: Silktassel Family 320 Hamamelidaceae: Witch-hazel Family 324 Juglandaceae: Walnut Family 325 Koeberliniaceae: Allthorn Family 334 Lauraceae: Laurel Family 335 Malvaceae: Mallow Family 340 Meliaceae: Mahogany Family 346 Moraceae: Mulberry Family 346 Myoporaceae: Myoporum Family 352 Myricaceae: Wax Myrtle Family 353 Myrtaceae: Myrtle Family 354 Oleaceae: Olive Family 362 Papaveraceae: Poppy Family 378 Pittosporaceae: Cheesewood Family 379 Platanaceae: Planetree Family 381 Proteaceae: Protea Family 385 Punicaceae: Pomegranate Family 386 Rhamnaceae: Buckthorn Family 386 Rosaceae: Rose Family 402 Rubiaceae: Madder Family 454 Rutaceae: Citrus or Rue Family 456 Salicaceae: Willow Family 464 Sapindaceae: Soapberry Family 500 Sapotaceae: Sapodilla Family 514 Simaroubaceae: Quassia Family 516 Solanaceae: Nightshade Family 518 Staphyleaceae: Bladdernut Family 520 Styracaceae: Storax Family 521 Tamaricaceae: Tamarisk Family 522 Ulmaceae: Elm Family 528 Verbenaceae: Vervain Family 534 Zygophyllaceae: Caltrop Family 538 Acknowledgments 540 Abbreviations 541 Glossary 542 Index of Species 547