Forest Trees: A Guide to the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic Regions of the United States Book

What a book. You don't need to be a botanist to appreciate this book. I'm certainly not. At first, I thought I'd just glance through this book, read about a few trees I'd always wondered about. I read it cover to cover. The photos: beautiful. Showing a tree from afar, and close up of flowers or leaves. Then a very informative page about why this tree does and doesn't work in San Francisco. (good for planting under power lines, poor choice for sidewalks, quick growing, etc.). Tidbits about when they bloom, when or if they lose their leaves, and the best time to see them.

What impressed me most was hearing stories about how a certain tree was brought to the city, or how some of the fruits taste (seems like some are edible, but taste like sand). This knowledge is just what I love to know, but don't want to die trying to find out. Also a few choice trees that kids may be interested in and where and when to see them (e.g. fruit that smells like vomit, some kids would just LOVE that).

At the end of the book: some walking tours. So if you are a visitor, interested in trees, this is a must. For any local, I would recommend this book. It is truly superb. And did you know there is a non-profit, Friends of the Urban Forest (www.fuf.net) that has been active in SF since 1981? Check it out, donate, or volunteer.