Trees of Northeastern North America

I first read parts of this book when I was 12 (about 1976) and recently re-acquired a copy. Too many people have previously examined and praised this classic for me to add too much. The writing is elegant and the information is unusual, engaging and idiosyncratic. In my opinion, there is less really high quality natural history being written today. Much of what passes for it is more personal memoir or implied argument (Barbara Kingsolver, for example) or rather ironic in tone (David Quammen type). Peattie is the real deal, mixing human history with vivid description of natural phenomenon. The focus is on his subject, rather than his own views, but his love and appreciation for trees and their crucial role in human society comes through in every page. This book should not be missed by anyone who wants to understand, not just identify, trees.
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This is a tome, but it's a brick with 5-20 pages of text for each entry. I don't used it for identifications, but I use it for finding out more about things I've already ID'd. (I have ambitions of one day reading it through, all 600 pages of small print.)

An excellent resourse for identifying trees, with black and white drawings and lenghty descriptions. 600 pages. Includes key.