Compilation of Tree-Related Resources
TREES AND FORESTS
Compilation of Bibliographic and Internet Resources
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I. Guide Books to Help Identify Trees in West Newbury and in North America
DeGraaf and Sendak, Native and Naturalized Trees of New England and Adjacent Canada (Univ. Press New England 2006). Arranged by leaf type augmented by information on buds, bark, twigs, flowers, and fruit. Excellent information in accessible format but most useful when leaves are present.
Elias, The Complete Tree of North America: A Field Guide and Natural History (Gramercy Pub. Co 1987). Encyclopedic and detailed reference organized by tree groups with additional binomial identification pages to help; drawings and range maps for most of the 725 species covered.
Kershner, Mathews, Nelson, and Spellenberg, National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America (Sterling Pub. Co. 2008). Comprehensive, photographic guide arranged by leaf type with focus on key characteristics for identification; range maps included.
Martin and Zim, Golden Guide, Trees 2nd ed. (St. Martin’s Press 2001). Handy, pocket-sized classic generally arranged by leaf type and focused on main species likely to be seen; drawings and range maps are very useful.
Mikolas, A Beginner's Guide to Recognizing Trees of the Northeast (Countryman Press 2017). Covers 40 common species and provides easy-to-learn tips for identification; photographs are very helpful.
National Audubon Society, A Field Guide to Trees, Eastern Region (Knopf, Chanticleer Press ed. 1980). Photographic guide to more than 700 species; arranged by leaf type with much supplementary information; most useful when trees have leaves present.
Petrides, A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs (Peterson Field Guide Series, Houghton Mifflin, 1972). Classic field guide with botanical orientation to tree identifying species; drawings and helpful hints on identification of similar species.
Sibley, The Sibley Guide to Trees (Alfred Knopf 2009). Complete and extremely helpful guide for tree identification; uses drawings of tree shape, leaves, twigs, buds, and flowers and includes up-to-date range maps.
Symonds and Chelminski, The Tree Identification Book (William Morrow & Co. 1958). Excellent photographic, practical guide to figuring out the trees; organized by types of leaves, thorns, flowers, fruit, twigs and buds, and bark. Very helpful in distinguishing similar species from one another.
Symonds and Merwin, The Shrub Identification Book (William Morrow & Co. 1963). Excellent photographic, practical guide to figuring out the shrubs; organized by types of leaves, thorns, flowers, fruit, twigs, and bark.
Watts, Winter Tree Finder, A Manual for Identifying Deciduous Trees in Winter (Nature Study Guild 1970). A pocket-size gem of a guide that uses a step-by-step process based on twigs and tree shape to identify trees when leaves are not present.
Wojtech, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast (Univ. Press New England 2011). Excellent help for identifying local trees when leaves are not present; contains photos of bark and drawing of leaves and twigs.
II. Other Interesting or Useful Books on Trees and Forests
Collingwood, Brush, and Butcher, Knowing Your Trees (Amer. Forestry Assoc. 1964). Photographic guide to common trees with extensive natural history, economic, and cultural information.
Fergus and Hansen, Trees of New England: A Natural History (Falcon Guide, Morris Book Pub. 2005). Text-based description of the natural history for New England species; helps with identification but is more of an enticing natural history narrative.
Fergus and Hansen, Trees of Pennsylvania and the Northeast (Stackpole Books 2002). Text-based description of the natural history for 60 or so common Northeastern species; helps with identification but is more of an enticing natural history narrative.
Packenham, Meetings with Remarkable Trees (Random House 1996). Gorgeous photographs of unusual and striking trees throughout the United Kingdom. Irresistible for any tree lover.
Peattie, A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America (Houghton Mifflin 1991). The classic natural history of Eastern U.S. trees with scientific descriptions, drawings, and commercial, historical, and anecdotal information as well.
Richard Powers, The Overstory (W.W. Norton 2018). The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that Ann Patchett calls "the best novel ever written about trees, and really just one of the best novels, period." This scientifically-accurate book introduces the reader to the enchanting world of trees and forests and to the roles that trees and forests play in our lives.
Rutkow, American Canopy: Tree, Forests, and the Making of a Nation (Scribner 2012). Readable, fascinating examination of the role of trees and forests in shaping how the United States developed from pre-colonial times to the present.
Tudge, The Tree (Three Rivers Press 2005). Very readable and botanically oriented account of what trees are, how they live, and why they matter; N.Y. Times calls this an "enchanting" book on trees.
USDA, Trees: The Yearbook of Agriculture (U.S. Gov. Printing Office 1949). A unique glimpse of forests and trees published by the USDA in 1949, with a broad range of information, including botany, history, commerce, and recreation. Very interesting for history buffs.
Wessels, Reading the Forested Landscape, A Natural History of New England (Countryman Press 1997). Good information on how to decipher the evidence etched into our forested landscape to unravel its complex stories.
Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate (William Collins 2017). A deep appreciation of trees and forests based on modern research into cellular and organismal communication in forests; presents a wholly different and fascinating view of trees and forests.
III. Internet Resources on New England Forests and Trees
Massachusetts Arborists Association. Go to: https://massarbor.org/index.php
Massachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry, home for many programs and forest information resources. Go to: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-forest-fire-control-and-forestry
Massachusetts Forestry and Tree Warden Association. Go to: https://masstreewardens.org
U. Mass. Amherst, MassWoods program with much information on finding tree professionals, downloadable monthly newsletter, etc. Go to: http://masswoods.org
IV. Landscaping with Trees
Chase-Rowell et al., Integrated Landscaping – Following Nature’s Lead (Univ. NH Press 2012). Excellent lists of recommended plantings, including trees, for a variety of conditions found in NH/MA.
Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation, and Uses (Stipes Publishing 1998). Time-tested and encyclopedic manual for tree and shrub horticulture; used by professionals and amateurs alike; particularly useful in selecting which varietals of a given tree species to plant locally.
Leopold, Native Plants of the Northeast, A Guide for Gardening & Conservation (Timber Press 2016). In its 8th printing, this well known guide has excellent information and photos of native northeast trees and their attributes.
Mass. Dept. of Coastal Zone Management, Coastal Landscaping in Massachusetts, Plant Highlights and Images, Trees. Very useful information and pictorial guide. Go to: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/12/07/plant-highlights-trees.pdf
Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Selecting Trees for Your Urban and Community Forest. Great guide for tree selection in our area. Go to: https://masstreewardens.org/wp-content/uploads/Tree-Selection.pdf
Reed and Stibolt, Climate-Wise Landscaping, Practical Actions for a Sustainable Future (New Society Pub. 2018). Oriented towards planting with a purpose, this reference contains a useful section on trees and shrubs.
V. Tree Health and Problems
USDA Forest Service, Urban Tree Risk Management: A Community Guide to Program Design and Implementation (2003). Comprehensive, extensive but still easy-to-use downloadable manual for homeowners and professionals; fully illustrated with drawings and photographs to help identify tree problems. Available for download at: https://srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/11070
VI. Finding an Arborist
Massachusetts Arborists Association. Helpful descriptions of attributes of certified arborists. Go to: https://massarbor.org/
Listing of arborist members. Go to: https://massarbor.org/directory.php
Newsletter with access to past editions. Go to: https://massarbor.org/Newsletter
New England Chapter ISA. Helpful information on how to find an arborist and descriptions of attributes of certified arborists in our area. Go to: https://www.newenglandisa.org/find-an-arborist/choosing-a-qualified-arbo...
International Society of Arboriculture. Professional membership group for arborists; use the Menu item entitled "For the Public" to find an arborist in our area. Go to: http://www.isa-arbor.com
VII. Other Internet Resources
a. American Forests
American Forests, the oldest commercial forest conservation association. Go to: https://www.americanforests.org
Forest History Society, specializes in history of American forests. Go to: https://foresthistory.org/issues/american-forests-history-resiliency-rec...
USDA Forest Service home page. Go to: https://www.fs.fed.us
b. Trees World-Wide
2018 State of Forests Worldwide. Downloadable reports by the U.N. FAO. Go to: http://www.fao.org/state-of-forests/en/
c. Massachusetts Law about Neighbors and Trees
Massachusetts Law about Neighbors and Trees. Go to: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-neighbors-and-...
d. Climate Change and Trees
Trees Help Fight Climate Change – Arbor Day Foundation. Go to: https://www.arborday.org/Trees/climatechange/
e. Equipment for Forestry and Tree Management
Forestry Suppliers Inc. Go to: www.forestry-suppliers.com
f. General Education about Trees
Definitions of Forest-related terms: https://www.cbd.int/forest/definitions.shtml
Tree Detectives (Grades 3-6). National Wildlife Federation. Go to: https://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Be%20Out%20There/Schoolyard%20Habitats/...
Pollinators supported by the “Big Five” Trees (Acer, Betula, Prunus, Quercus, and Salix). A list of New England wildflowers dependent on pollinators that are hosted by commonly found trees. Go to: http://gardenclub.org/resources/ngc-mpgc/ngc-mpgc-pollinators-supported-...
g. Other Regional Botanical Sites
Go Botany: Native Plant Trust. Connect with other plant fans in on-line community of plant enthusiasts: www.gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University: Directions and information. Go to: http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu