An Eclectic Guide to Trees East of the Rockies

"The scope of this book is biological rather than political," writes author Glen Blouin. "It is neither a Native Trees of Canada, nor a Native Trees of the United States. Trees are apolitical characters. They do not recognize international boundaries. They grow where they are comfortable, where the climate and soils suit them." This one-of-a-kind book is certainly an excellent guide to identifying the almost fifty major tree species east of the Rockies by their components (size, wood, bark, leaf, flower, fruit, twig, etc.) , but it goes far beyond such basic details. It also provides: the history of each species its range, record sizes, preferred sites, and seasonal changes its value as habitat for fauna its role in interspecies interaction its natural enemies (insects, blights, diseases) its use by humans as ornamentals, shade trees, or windbreaks its historic and modern use as a source of food or medicine the properties of its wood for woodworking, and other domestic and industrial use recommendations for planting and care and important notes on conservation "This thoughtful book by Glen Blouin nicely explores the broader significance of tree species found east of the Rockies, in Canada and the United States. It expands on all that interesting information that is only touched upon through a sentence or two in standard field guides ... Every forest is a treasure house of such knowledge if we only have a companion such as this book to help us gain access." from the foreword by Monte Hummel, President, World Wildlife Fund, Canada