The Bottom Line
This book is not a tree bark field guide! The book IS one of the most complete and readable sources of reference for tree bark I have found. Illustrated references throughout the first three chapters are outstanding and make a great opening act paving the way for a grand collection of bark photographs.
Pros
- Three chapters packed full of hard-to-find bark references and illustrations.
- Great descriptions and illustrations of the 18 bark texture classifications.
- Rich and colorful photographic collection of 440 species of tree bark.
Cons
- The photographic content, although beautiful, depends heavily on Europe and the Western U.S.
Description
- L. Kucera and L. Bergamin provide a complete essay on the structure and properties of bark.
- A decorative bark list is included for readers who use bark as an accent in the yard or garden.
- An interesting essay by Beat Meier is included on how bark is used in phytotherapy.
Guide Review - Tree Bark - A Color Guide
Tree Bark was written by Swiss watch-maker Hugues Vaucher and originally published in German and French during the early 1990s. Canadian Botanist, James Eckenwalder has translated and edited the original publication into this Timber Press edition.
The book is a streamlined, 260 page, four chapter reference book on the complexity and infinite variety of bark. Vaucher readily admits he could never totally capture all the nuances and complexities of tree bark but he certainly gives it his best shot.
Vaucher writes, "Theoretically, it would take at least a million pictures to cover the full variety of textures found in tree barks." What Vaucher has done instead is set the bar for "any photographer, amateur or expert, who wishes to make his or her pastime. One only has to look at bark closely for it to become interesting - even obsessing, otherwise this book would never have seen the light of day!"
