Tom Watts (1)

The finder is really easy to follow, and uses simple guidelines based primarily on leaf shape, placement, etc. The system is logical, and easy to use. Sometimes the illustrations can be misleading (it's easy to do maples, sassafras, and sweetgum, but oaks were trickier because of the illustrations and the many trees that have very similar leaves are really hard). Overall, however, it's a great system. It could use a little more information, but for a guide that easily fits in your purse, show more it's magic. show less

On a 'Winter Tree ID Hike' at a local nature center, we were given this book to use as a reference. We practiced it & found that we could all easily identify trees with it - but it did take some time to READ, COMPREHEND & PRACTICE before we were all proficient. Some took a little longer &, in every case, it was because they tried to short cut the process. So if you're having trouble using it, go back & re-read. It's really quite easy, once you get the hang of it.

For such a small book, it show more packs a lot of trees into it - Eastern North America only. You won't find hybrids, some imports (garden) trees, but it packs in over 100 common trees & can lead anyone into a quick, accurate identification with very little practice. It's small enough to fit into a back pocket without a bulge, which means I'm more likely to have it with me when I want it. That's the biggest plus. The more comprehensive books are OK, but they're always back at the house when I need them or in the way as I walk through the woods & want to take a picture. Not this book!

I have several tree ID books & I may outgrow this one. But I haven't outgrown "The Tree Finder" by the same authors (for trees with leaves) & I've been using it for a couple of years on a pretty regular basis. Often I'll think I've found a tree that won't be in it, but there it is. It's been so worthwhile that I got a second copy to keep in the truck. show less

Media Type:Book. SUBJECT: 1. Native Plants -- California 2. Tree identification

Dorian