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1: Unexpected Delight
Sibley's bird guide has become the new standard for birders and general naturalists. I was not expecting him to make a tree guide, but I'm so glad he did. I was able to identify some species that had stumped me for years using this guide. I also appreciate the graphic which identifies if the tree is native, introduced, or naturalized. This guide also gives the proper weight to common non-native trees, which is very important for those of us exploring the urban landscape. Even the negative reviews have to admit: this book is full of beautiful crisp paintings. As for the size, it's true: you can't fit it in your back pocket. But a truly comprehensive guide like this could never be made pocket sized. Perhaps there will be eastern and western guides split from this one, as happened with the bird guide.
I can't wait to see what other guides we will see from this amazing author and artist.
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2: Tried the impossible
The book is worth 3 stars only because it's an attempt at the impossible: to cover all the trees in North America. This book also proves that it can't be done, and is no substitute for regional guides.
Otherwise, this book has several additional points on which it fails. First is the uneven coverage to the species--it's just the opposite from what's needed. The major species are given one to two pages while the scarer species are given but a scant paragraph. Unfortunately, it's the rare ones in which plant explorers are most interested; imagine if Sibley had given similar such coverage to the species in his bird guide.
Second his notes on the use of species in cultivation and zone hardiness are useless garbage and should have been left out.
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3: Addressing the Visual Learner
I met David Sibley when he came to Philadelphia in September to talk about his new book the Sibley Guide to Trees. His approach to creating a tree guide is just what a visual learner needs to tie the intricacies of learning trees in the classroom with the field view and the artist's eye. I pulled up his video that is on his Web site and showed it to my class after my regular lecture at Temple University. The students really liked his approach to showing the various leaf formations and the colored photos that are many times absent in some woody plant guides. This said, there is always room for one more person inparting their spin on the learning process. Thank you David for your wonderful work - especially addressing the need of the visual learner.
Eva Monheim Senior Lecturer Temple University
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4: Tree Guide
I purchased this book for information on how to trim my trees. It was an excellent resource on types of trees and was overall excellent information on tree Identification.
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5: another Sibley masterpiece
Perhaps a bit large for a pocket fiel guide, but not touted as such. Fine for backpack or glove compartment. Wonderfully organized for ease in tracking down species identification.
Clear and exacting illustrations for each species. Up to the standerds of Sibley's excellent Guide to Birds. Incites one to hope for following up with guide to insects, to shells, to reptiles & amphibians etc. Strongly recommended to nature lovers, and anyone with some curiousity about their yards and forests
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