Manual of the Trees of North America (Two Volumes) In Stock Now

Two Book Set

The greatest dendrologist America has ever produced was without doubt Charles Sprague Sargent, Professor of Arboriculture at Harvard and Director of the Arnold Arboretum in Boston until his death in 1927. His monumental "Manual of the Trees of North America," incorporating the results of 44 years of original research, is still unsurpassed as the most comprehensive and reliable volume on the subject. Almost every other book on American trees is selective, but this one assures you of identifying any native tree; it includes 185 genera and 717 species of trees (and many shrubs[!]) found in the United States, Canada, and Alaska [which was not a state when the books were originally published but had been a state for 3 years at the time this edition was published]. 783 sharp, clear line drawings illustrate leaves, flowers, and fruit.

First, a 6-page synoptic key breaks trees down into 66 different families; then, an unusually useful 11-page analytical key to genera helps the beginner locate any tree readily by its leaf characteristics. Within the text over 100 further keys aid in identification. The body of the work is a species by species description of leaves, flowers, fruit, winterbuds, bark, wood, growth habits, etc., extraordinary in its fullness and wealth of exact, specific detail. Distinguishing features of this book are its extremely precise locations and distributions; flower and leaf descriptions that indicate immaturity variations; and a strong discussion of varieties and local variants.

Additional useful features are a glossary of technical terms; a system of letter keys classifying trees by regions; and a detailed index of both technical and common names (index, glossary, and introductory keys are printed in both volumes.) Students and teachers of botany and forestry, naturalists, conservationists, and all nature lovers will find this set an unmatched lifetime reference source. "Still the best work," Carl Rogers in "The Tree Book."

Unabridged and unaltered reprint of the 2nd enlarged 1926 edition. Synopsis of Families. Analytical Key of Genera. Glossary. Index. 783 illustrations, 1 map. Total of I + 89Ipp. 5-3/8 x 8.