Comments on: The Birder’s Tree Guide

By: a forest of things « Sin City to Slaterville

a forest of things « Sin City to Slaterville — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:14:50 +0000

[...] mystery tree, among so many others in the hills I’d like proper introductions to. Thanks to Dry Stone Garden for letting us know about it. It’s time to order my choices from the NARGS seed exchange! [...]

By: ryan

ryan — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:31:37 +0000

The guide would probably be especially good for New York. I’ve noticed a few signs that he is an easterner, and apparently, he did a lot of the paintings in the Boston Arboretum.
I’m vague on hickory trees myself. They’re another group of east coast species I should learn.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:59:40 +0000

This is very exciting, especially since I’ve been saying I need a tree guide since I moved east 2 years ago & can’t tell a red from a white oak, much less know what a hickory looks like. I think a walk in the woods & fields with the a group of meticulous cataloguers would be sort of fun!

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:10:20 +0000

B – You’re right, some keys are better than others. I’ve tried to ID trees and had the key ask for flower descriptions or other info that I couldn’t give. I definitely prefer the birder style where the book helps you figure out the details that distinguish between the similar species. I think you end up learning more about birds and trees that way.
CM – It would be interesting to see what you end up with on the life list. I’ve been paying attention since I bought it, noting the difference between the California Sycamore and the American one, the Eastern White Oak compared to our native ones in the White Oak family, and so on. I’ve been liking it.

By: Country Mouse

Country Mouse — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:28:15 +0000

I am intrigued by the idea of keys but I lack the botanical vocabulary as yet to use them easily or at all. However, I also love acquiring said vocabulary so for me it’s all fun. That Sibley tree book sounds just great, a different and easier approach, and based on your wonderful review I am definitely going to get it. I feel very frustrated when I look out from my property and can ID only about 20 percent of the trees – including the garden ornamentals people plant even here in the woods. I have a high level of desire to be able to know all those trees more intimately and address them familiarly when I meet them. I’ll probably keep the life list – but only for trees in my immediate area, which is what I am most interested in. Thanks so much for this very useful and interesting post!

By: Brad B

Brad B — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:53:35 +0000

I have a very small booklet on Pacific region trees that functions with a key. I love it, but it never asks about fruit or flowers to identify them. Though it will give that info once it’s given you the specific tree. Mostly it identifies by leaf/needle and sometimes bark. I guess I’m in the minority. I do remember a friend with a much more complicated key book that was no fun to use.