Trees: Their Natural History

by P. A. Thomas

Overview

Trees are familiar components of many landscapes, vital to the healthy functioning of the global ecosystem and unparalled in the range of materials which they provide for human use. Yet how much do we really understand about how they work? This 2000 book provides a comprehensive introduction to the natural history of trees, presenting information on all aspects of tree biology and ecology in an easy to read and concise text. Fascinating insights into the workings of these everyday plants are uncovered throughout the book, with questions such as how are trees designed, how do they grow and reproduce, and why do they eventually die tackled in an illuminating way. Written for a non-technical audience, the book is nonetheless rigorous in its treatment and will therefore provide a valuable source of reference for beginning students as well as those with a less formal interest in this fascinating group of plants.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107084544
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/13/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

Table of Contents

1. An overview; 2. Leaves - the food producers; 3. The trunk and branches - more than a connecting drainpipe; 4. Roots - the hidden tree; 5. Towards the next generation - flowers, fruits and seeds; 6. The growing tree; 7. The shape of trees; 8. The next generation - new trees from old; 9. Health, damage and death - living in a hostile world; Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Affable study...packed with information and peppered with interesting facts...clean, upbeat prose." Publishers Weekly

"Thomas has the wonderful ability to mix in the odd but interesting fact to illustrate key ideas, all while maintaining a readable style...Trees is highly recommended, a fundamental book for all university libraries. Undergraduates through professionals." Choice

"Thomas has the wonderful ability to mix in the odd but interesting fact to illustrate key ideas, all while maintaining a readable style...Trees is highly recommended, a fundamental book for all university libraries. Undergraduates through professionals." Choice

"...this book was a pleasure to read. I will order it for my forest ecology class." The Quarterly Review of Biology

"Written for non-specialists, this book provides a pleasantly readable introduction to what is known about trees. Well-written. A fine book for any library." Northeastern Naturalist

"Written for non-specialists, this book provides a pleasantly readable introduction to what is known about trees. Well-written. A fine book for any library." Northeastern Naturalist

"[V]ery good, interesting and loaded with an impressive amount of information...pleasant to read and refreshing. The sense of humour of Dr. Thomas certainly has a lot to do with that. The book is without question a must for all undergraduate students interested in any aspect of tree biology and evolution." Ecoscience

"[V]ery good, interesting and loaded with an impressive amount of information...pleasant to read and refreshing. The sense of humour of Dr. Thomas certainly has a lot to do with that. The book is without question a must for all undergraduate students interested in any aspect of tree biology and evolution." Ecoscience

Editorial Reviews

"Affable study...packed with information and peppered with interesting facts...clean, upbeat prose." Publishers Weekly

"Thomas has the wonderful ability to mix in the odd but interesting fact to illustrate key ideas, all while maintaining a readable style...Trees is highly recommended, a fundamental book for all university libraries. Undergraduates through professionals." Choice

"Thomas has the wonderful ability to mix in the odd but interesting fact to illustrate key ideas, all while maintaining a readable style...Trees is highly recommended, a fundamental book for all university libraries. Undergraduates through professionals." Choice

"...this book was a pleasure to read. I will order it for my forest ecology class." The Quarterly Review of Biology

"Written for non-specialists, this book provides a pleasantly readable introduction to what is known about trees. Well-written. A fine book for any library." Northeastern Naturalist

"Written for non-specialists, this book provides a pleasantly readable introduction to what is known about trees. Well-written. A fine book for any library." Northeastern Naturalist

"[V]ery good, interesting and loaded with an impressive amount of information...pleasant to read and refreshing. The sense of humour of Dr. Thomas certainly has a lot to do with that. The book is without question a must for all undergraduate students interested in any aspect of tree biology and evolution." Ecoscience

"[V]ery good, interesting and loaded with an impressive amount of information...pleasant to read and refreshing. The sense of humour of Dr. Thomas certainly has a lot to do with that. The book is without question a must for all undergraduate students interested in any aspect of tree biology and evolution." Ecoscience

From the Publisher