National Audubon Society Trees of North America

by National Audubon Society

Overview

Updated for the first time in decades, this unparalleled reference work is the most comprehensive and authoritative guide to the trees of North America and now includes the latest information on conservation status and the effects of climate change—from the creators of the world's most trusted field guides, a go-to source for millions of nature lovers

"[Makes] it easier than ever to figure out which trees are in your yard or are along the trail while you’re hiking. Every nature lover needs this guide." —Portland Book Review

This handsome volume is the result of a collaboration among leading scientists, scholars, taxonomic and field experts, photo editors, and designers. An indispensable reference, it covers more than 540 species, with nearly 2,500 full-color photographs—including images of the bark, fruit, and flowers, as well as photos that illustrate leaf shape and seasonal color changes.
 
For ease of use, the book includes a glossary, a robust index, and a ribbon marker, and is arranged according to the latest Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification system—with trees sorted by taxonomic orders and grouped by family, so that related species are presented together. Readers will appreciate the crisp detail of the photographs; range maps (reflecting the impact of climate change); physical descriptions; and information on fruit, habitat, uses, and similar species. The guide includes an important new category on conservation status and essays by leading scholars who provide holistic insights into the world of trees.
 
Whether putting a name to the towering conifers spotted along a hike or getting to know the trees that grow in the backyard, readers will come to rely on this work of remarkable breadth, depth, and elegance. It is a must-have reference for the library of any nature lover, and is poised to become the number one guide in the field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780525655718
Publisher:	Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/06/2021
Series:	National Audubon Society Complete Guides
Pages:	592
Sales rank:	75,317
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Incorporated in 1905, the National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that uses education and advocacy to advance its mission to conserve and restore natural habitats of birds and wildlife in the United States and across the Americas. Audubon also produces bestselling descriptive field guides on a wide variety of nature-related topics.

Table of Contents

National Audubon Society Trees of North America

Introduction 6

About National Audubon Society 6

Names and Classification of Trees 6

Division 6

Functions of a Tree 7

Ecology 7

Human Use and Personal Value 8

Fall Leaf Color 8

Identification 9

Leaves and Leaf Shapes 9

Wood and Bark 11

Roots 12

Flowers and Fruits 13

Conservation 14

Tree Biology Topics 15

Tree Classification-What Is a Tree? 15

Forest Regeneration and Reproduction 16

The Evolution of Trees 19

Defining Forested Ecosystems 20

What Tree Where? 21

Plant Communication 23

Threats to Trees and Forests 25

The Trees of North America

Pinales 28

Pine family 28

Cupressales 93

Monkey-puzzle family 93

Cypress family 95

Yew family 123

Other Gymnosperms 127

Zamiad family 127

Ginkgo family 128

Austrobaileyales 129

Star-anise family 129

Magnoliales 130

Magnolia family 130

Custard-apple family 140

Laurales 142

Laurel family 142

Arecales 148

Palm family 148

Ranunculales 161

Poppy family 161

Proteales 162

Sycamore family 162

Saxifragales 166

Sweetgum family 166

Witch-hazel family 167

Katsura-tree family 168

Zygophyllales 169

Caltrop family 169

Fabales 171

Pea family 171

Bay-cedar family 200

Rosales 201

Rose family 201

Oleaster family 249

Buckthorn family 252

Elm family 259

Mulberry family 268

Fagales 275

Beech family 275

Wax-myrtle family 328

Walnut family 331

Australian-pine family 343

Birch family 344

Celastrales 366

Staff Tree family 366

Malpighiales 367

Red Mangrove family 367

Malpighia family 368

Coco-plum family 369

Willow family 370

Spurge family 394

Myrtales 395

White Mangrove family 395

Loosestrife family 398

Myrtle family 399

Crossosomatales 401

Bladdernut family 401

Sapindales 402

Torchwood family 402

Cashew family 404

Soapberry family 417

Citrus family 445

Quassia family 452

Mahogany family 453

Malvales 455

Mallow family 455

Brassicales 461

Papaya family 461

Caper family 462

Caryophyllales 463

Tamarisk family 463

Buckwheat family 464

Cornales 466

Dogwood family 466

Ericales 477

Ocotillo family 477

Sapodilla family 478

Ebony family 482

Primrose family 484

Tea family 487

Sweetleaf family 489

Snowbell family 490

Clethra family 494

Cyrilla family 496

Health family 497

Garryales 513

Silktassel family 513

Gentianales 514

Madder family 514

Boraginales 517

Borage family 517

Solanales 518

Nightshade family 518

Lamiales 520

Olive family 520

Acanthus family 538

Trumpet Creeper family 539

Mint family 543

Figwort family 545

Aquifoliales 546

Holly family 546

Asterales 556

Aster family 556

Dipsacaless 558

Moschatel family 558

Apiales 567

Ginseng family 567

Tree Families 568

Glossary 580

Index 584

Photography Credits 589

Acknowledgments 591

Editorial Reviews

Simple and straightforward . . . This is an outstanding guide to North American trees and merits space in any collection serving either robust forest hikers or armchair naturalists.” —Art Lichtenstein, Booklist

“A lot has changed in the world since 1980, when the National Audubon Society last updated its bestselling field guide to the trees of North America. Even more so since 1995, when the organization last updated its field guide to the birds of North America. There couldn’t be a better time to update them than now: as climate change fuels a biodiversity crisis, we need every reminder we can get of the breadth and beauty of the planet’s flora and flauna.” —Jonathan Hahn, Sierra

“Gorgeous . . . [Makes] it easier than ever to figure out which trees are in your yard or are along the trail while you’re hiking. Every nature lover needs this guide.” —Portland Book Review
 
“Coffee table ready, a pleasure to browse in at will, and comprehensive enough to furnish a sense of real mastery. Keep [this] close at hand when reading nature writing for a richer, more stimulating exploration . . . Leave[s] the reader feeling more at home in the world” —Stefan Beck, Washington Examiner

“You’re in for a treat with the scope and quality of an Audubon book . . . You’ll have information about a wealth of native species at your fingertips to inspire your gardening, guide you on nature walks, and increase your knowledge of one of nature’s essential plants . . . A comprehensive compendium.” —Nan Schiller, Gardener’s Path

“A must-have reference book for plant enthusiasts and anyone who has ever asked, ‘What kind of tree is that?’” —Rachel Owens, Library Journal (starred review)

From the Publisher