Forest Trees of the Pacific Slope

Though this book was first published in 1908, it remains as absolutely one of the all-time great classics in identifying and learning about the trees of the Pacific region of the United States and Canada. The detailed descriptions of the trees, their leaves, their bark, and so on are very clear. The book is unexcelled in giving precise locations of where a particular species of tree can be found, and is also unexcelled in describing the kind of climate, habitat, and soil a particular tree likes. Almost unique among books is an attempt to give an approximate longevity of each tree. True, some of the longevity figures would now be considered inaccurate today, but Sudworth truly did his best to secure the best available information of his times. Sudworth's practical experiences in his tree identification skills truly show in his writings. He allows for variations to be expected, as well as mentioning rules of thumbs and practical ways to help learn to identify the trees. The line drawings of the leaves, fruits or cones, and seeds of the trees are among the very, very best I've ever seen---such exquisite details are to be seen in the drawings! This book has been so useful for me that I'm going to have to find a new---or at least a used copy in good shape---to replace my present but worn copy. For the serious or beginning or advanced dendrologist, this book is an abslolute must in his or her personal library. It's such a great book that it really could use a six-star rating. Sudworth would be bursting with pride to know how useful his book has been for not just me, but for many others as well. It's truly one of the most scholarly and greatest of any tree books ever published, and I highly recommend it.