A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs

Peterson Field Guides #11a

by George A. Petrides, Roger Tory Peterson

This book serves as a reference guide to North American trees and shrubs.

Genres: Field Guides, Reference, Nature, Science, Nonfiction, Gardening, Natural History

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Thomas Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trees and Shrubs, George A. Petrides, 1986, 428 pages, ISBN 049535370X

All the trees native to the northeastern United States, with descriptions that can truly be used to tell them apart.

You need a magnifying glass and a sharp knife to use the book properly.

For this book, the southwest corner of the northeastern United States is approximately Tulsa. The book covers Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri and north, and the parts of Kansas and Nebraska east of 96° west.

The book fits in a half-gallon Ziploc.

[Lena Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

So when we're lost and starving and I want Gin, I'll know which is Juniper and you won't. But by the time I've distilled the gin, I suspect you'll have caught on. I'd hate to drink alone.

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was owned by my mother--who was the nature lover and birder in the family. She found more to watch then you might expect living in New York City. We lived near Central Park, which is something of a bird sanctuary. Though I'm by no means the naturist she was, I do appreciate the way this book made me more aware of my surroundings. If I turn my head slightly the view from the window shows lots of trees. Just the front section in this book on tress silhouettes means I can identify them as ashes, maples and a "common catalpa" (Indian Bean Tree). 646 species are described and illustrated. The way species are divided into five major groups is very helpful in field identification. So definitely recommended for anyone in the Northeast United States this guide covers.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guide is slightly annoying in that the pictures are no where near the detailed descriptions, but nevertheless it is the best I've seen for shrubs, and very good, easy to use for trees, though I'd also recommend The Sibley Guide to Trees. I've used mine so much it's fallen to pieces.

[Patrick]

There are dozens of book designed to help you sort out the trees, but this one from decades ago is still by far the best.

It covers *shrubs*, for instance. Do you know the difference between a 'tree' and a 'shrub'? No, I didn't think so, and I don't either. Books that cover only the author's notion of what a 'tree' is will drive you crazy, because at least a third of what you'll see in a forest won't be in most 'tree' books.

Stick with an old classic.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very user-friendly guide to trees, shrubs and vines for the Northeast states. I've been using this all year and really like the illustrations of leaves, branches and seeds (especially the acorns). A true field guide that you can take with you anywhere. The only part that still stumps me is the ability to differentiated between silhouettes of trees. I will definitely seek out other books in the series should I spend time in other parts of the U.S. or Canada.

[Gennadyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

great and easy to use guide to trees and shrubs, accurate illustration, comfortable identification key.
great for beginners and pros, makes winter identification a piece of cake.

[Alyson]

Out of date and poor illustrations

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because I like to read feild guides! I like to look at the pictures, and then go to the page that tells about them, and where they are located, and then see how tall they can grow! I really liked this book a lot and I think that everyone should read this!

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

My bible...

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly an identification guide, but some of the remarks are interesting.

[Dann]

This book has earned great reviews, but I'm still working on twig and bud terminology. The Audobon guide may be a great companion.

[Mila Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth keeping.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Jkilmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! Just wish it included the southeastern US...

[Andria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pictures are not near the descriptions and no photos.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly disappointed for a Peterson guide but my edition was from 1957. Could have used more illustrations.