Trees - by Tony Rodd & Jennifer Stackhouse (Hardcover)

About the Book

Beautifully illustrated and designed, this gorgeous reference book explores the world of trees from every perspective--from the world's great forests to the lifespan of a single leaf.

Book Synopsis

Beautifully illustrated and designed, this gorgeous reference book explores the world of trees from every perspective--from the world's great forests to the lifespan of a single leaf. Arresting color photographs of a wide variety of trees and close-ups of many of their remarkable features provide an enormous amount of information in a highly accessible format. The volume illustrates how trees grow and function, looks at their astounding diversity and adaptations, documents the key role they play in ecosystems, and explores the multitude of uses to which we put trees--from timber and pharmaceuticals to shade and shelter. A highly absorbing read cover to cover or dipped into at random, Trees: A Visual Guide delves into many specific topics: the details of flowers, bark, and roots; profiles of favorite trees; how animals and insects interact with trees; trees in urban landscapes; the role trees play in our changing climate; deforestation and reforestation; and much more. With clear diagrams, illustrations, and intriguing sidebars on many featured topics, this unique volume is a complete visual guide to the magnificence of the arboreal world.

Review Quotes

"Provides a phenomenal view of trees around the world."-- "Vail Daily" (4/21/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"[A] gorgeous and informative guide."-- "Science News" (4/12/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"A beautifully photographed visual guide. . . . The text is clear and written in nontechnical language. Recommended for either the reference or circulating collection in academic public libraries."-- "Booklist" (9/15/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"A feast for the eyes and mind."-- "Bulletin" (4/9/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"Beautifully illustrated and designed, this gorgeous reference book explores the world of trees from every perspective. . . . This unique volume is a complete visual guide to the magnificence of the arboreal world."-- "Sierra Heritage" (5/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)

"Has the immediate appeal of fabulous photographs on every single page. . . . Looking at the pages can be [a transcendent experience].-- "Terrain Magazine" (12/11/2009 12:00:00 AM)

"Straightforward and well organized. . . . presented beautifully. The photographs are as abundant as the facts. Open and prepare to linger."-- "Record Searchlight" (12/6/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"The best book on trees."-- "San Francisco Chronicle" (12/21/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"This book is stunning, filled with mesmerizing photographs and absorbing information in 300-plus pages. . . . Comprehensive . . . easy-to-read, [and] beautifully illustrated."-- "Houston Chronicle" (7/18/2008 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Tony Rodd is a horticultural botanist with a strong interest in trees. Starting as a forestry student then working in a wood structure laboratory, he switched to botany and was the first Horticultural Botanist at Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens, overseeing the living collections. For the past 25 years he has been a botanical consultant. Jennifer Stackhouse is a horticulturist and garden writer who lives in Sydney, Australia. She is editor of Gardening Australia and contributes garden articles to newspapers and magazines. Her interest in social history, art, and garden history has led to a career in plants, gardens, and landscape design.