The Bottom Line
Arthur Plotnik, in consultation with The Morton Arboretum, brings the tree lover a different kind of tree identification book - a book that brilliantly transcends traditional and oftentimes dry tree texts. I often check to see what Mr. Plotnik has to say about a tree beyond the technical prose of more prescriptive texts. This book explores interesting and much more readable tree facts.
Pros
- Art Plotnik's presention of tree facts and tree anecdotes are the best I've found.
- The Urban Tree Book done in collaboration with The Morton Arboretum.
- Excellent tree "biographies" of more than 200 North American trees.
- Wonderfully and profusely illustrated by Mary Phelan.
Cons
- Not very helpful as an urban tree identification guide.
Description
- On Maple: "The red, red maple...its redness launched the tree into stardom..."
- On Sycamore: "a tree whose trunk or smooth branches wear mottled camouflage..."
- On Arborvitae: "The munchkin-like tree is sold at a thousands malls in much of North America..."
Guide Review - The Urban Tree Book
In addition to describing 200 tree species found in North American cities and suburbs, the "Urban Tree Book" captures the charm of tree history, lore, anecdotes and up-to-date facts. You will find extra material on how to approximate the height of a tree, tips for observing trees in urban settings (including descriptions about how certain species of trees may look different in the city than in the wild) and a glossary of specialized botanical terms. This comprehensive guide should be in every city-dweller's bookcase. A really great read! Paperback; Three Rivers Press; ISBN: 0812931033
