Product Description

A comprehensive new reference work on the trees of the world, with fully illustrated A-Z directory.

The Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees covers the entire world of trees with outstanding text and abundant illustrations and photography. Forests and woods cover 30% of the world's land surface. This book describes the forest ecosystem and the four major forest types of the world: boreal, temperate, subtropical, tropical.

The main part of the encyclopedia is the A-Z directory of the world's trees: - Species identification tables, fact boxes, and thumbnail maps show the distribution of native trees. - Information for each tree includes a concise taxonomic description and explains where the tree grows naturally. - Color photographs and illustrations depict each family in summer and fall, bark texture, leaves, seeds and nuts, and where applicable, blossoms. - Captions describe the dimensions and characteristics of each tree in exacting detail.

Other interesting features of the encyclopedia include: - Detailed descriptions of tree structures: shapes, trunk structure, root systems, leaf shapes and functions, flowers and fruit - Notable forests around the world - Effect of trees on economies and societies - Further reading section - Extensive glossary - Comprehensive indexes of common and scientific names.

The Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees features the familiar as well as the exotic. The Baobab, for instance, can store tens of thousands of gallons in water in its light, fleshy wood, remains leafy during droughts, and provides a natural source of water for people and animals alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #239701 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

From Booklist
The Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees is an essential resource for both serious botanists and amateur gardeners. Editor Cafferty marshals the salient facts required for identifying and understanding the properties inherent in complex communities of trees. Delineating the principle genera of trees, from primeval cycads to ancient conifers, deciduous broadleaves to tropical tree ferns, the compendium augments its extensive background on the horticultural, ornamental, and economic significance of each species with factual sidebars and distribution maps, as well as distinctive color photography and minutely detailed illustrations. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
A delightful table-top book full of color pictures of trees at their best. -- Ken Smith, London Free Press 11/26/2005

Helps readers to appreciate the beauty and utility of trees... provides detailed information on a vast range of trees. -- Globe and Mail 12/10/2005

If you don't know a larch from a hemlock, here is a great place to start recognizing the differences. -- Susan Smith-Durisek, Lexington Herald-Leader 11/05/2005

Rich resource is piled to the brim with unique photos and lively descriptions and anecdotes...perfect gift for a tree lover. -- Melissa Miller, Chicagoland Gardening 11/2005

Review
Selected as one of Library Journals 'Best Reference Sources 2005': 'Appealing work on trees.' (Brian E. Coutts and Cheryl LaGuardia Library Journal 20060415)

Comprehensive reference on trees. The book is exceptionally well-organized and beautifully illustrated. (Garden Glories [National Garden Clubs] 200509)

Beautiful color photos and drawings grace every page... thorough and a bargain. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. (U. Ellis Choice 200604)

Mouthwatering photos... information is authoritative, clear and interesting. (Kym Pokorny Portland Oregonian 20051215)

Each section has detailed explanations and profuse illustrations. There are tables that help in identification, fact boxes... common names... (Robert Bowden Orlando Sentinel 20051218)

An essential resource for both serious botanists and amateur gardeners. (Carol Haggas Booklist 20050901)

A comprehensive reference book with hundreds of color photographs, illustrations, charts and location maps. (Karen Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 20051120)

A wealth of information on hundreds of species of trees... Clear illustrations, tables, and rich color photographs accompany each entry. (Science News 200512)

A great primer... reader-friendly and helpful. (Susan Banks Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 20051105)

If you love trees, you will love this all-encompassing reference volume that celebrates them in all their many-splendored variety. (Carole Desormeaux Canadian Camera 20051210)

Rich resource is piled to the brim with unique photos and lively descriptions and anecdotes...perfect gift for a tree lover. (Melissa Miller Chicagoland Gardening 20051126)

If you don't know a larch from a hemlock, here is a great place to start recognizing the differences. (Susan Smith-Durisek Lexington Herald-Leader )

Helps readers to appreciate the beauty and utility of trees... provides detailed information on a vast range of trees. (Globe and Mail )

A delightful table-top book full of color pictures of trees at their best. (Ken Smith London Free Press )

Customer Reviews

Outstanding reference for the tree lover
This large-format reference is a sheer joy to browse and eye candy for tree lovers. Beautiful photos, illustrations, tables, charts, and thumbnail maps indicating native distribution are just some of the features. The beginning chapter "What Is A Tree" traces the morphological characters and structural diversity as well as a section of "deconstructing wood" which covers growth rings, bark characteristics, the root system, leaves, flowers and fruits, and the growth of trees. The second chapter, "Forests," discusses the forest ecosystem, and the various forests of the world. "Trees and Mankind" covers the forestry industry. The remainder of the book arranges trees by family (with the exception of the "Trees of the Tropics" genera, which are ordered alphabetically). Each category includes a thorough description, charts indicating common names, the different species, a thumbnail world map with colored areas indicating natural distribution and beatifully rendered illustrations showing tree structure, leaves, fruits, etc. All entries include outstanding color photographs, many of them full page. A glossary of tree-related terms and an index is included.