Conifers of California

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Summary: Conifers of California
Review: An exceptionally creative and interesting book on California conifers. The prose is extraordinary as are the voluminous number of images, all in color. Inclusion of a Griffin and Critchfield distribution map for each species is a vital part of the book and singularly honors these scholarly authors. The objective coverage of the various species, with candid personal insight, makes the book particularly delightful to read. An ideal gift for a friend.

Rating:
Summary: Conifers of California is a masterpiece.
Review: An exceptionally creative and interesting book on California conifers. The prose is extraordinary as are the voluminous number of images, all in color. Inclusion of a Griffin and Critchfield distribution map for each species is a vital part of the book and singularly honors these scholarly authors. The objective coverage of the various species, with candid personal insight, makes the book particularly delightful to read. An ideal gift for a friend.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Being a biologist, reference books are a crucial tool for my trade. Until now, I had to refer to several books for information about California's conifers...no longer! This book is well (and interestingly) written, the photos and paintings are superb, and the range maps are a valuable asset. Thank-you Mr. Lanner. This will be a book I buy for my friends!

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Summary: Conifers of California
Review: I've seen many, many dozens of tree books, and this, by far is the best I've seen for a particular region- for California is so large and diverse that this is truly a regional book. California has more species of coniferous trees than any comparable area in North America- most likely in the world! The eighteen species of pine and all 7 of the western true firs give some idea of the extensive conifer flora. The arrangement follows that of most tree books: an adequate introduction to get one started - followed by text on each of the 52 species. There is a beautiful painting for each tree - very detailed and accurate. For each species there's a detailed range map and ample color photos to accompany the exacting and quite complete text. Lanner includes interesting details of uses, taxonomy and ecology to augment the botanical descriptions. California conifers include the world's tallest tree(redwood), it's most massive(giant sequoia) and ceraintly the oldest tree(Great Basin bristlecone pine) - these and 49 others are excellently presented - a feast for tree enthusiasts from California and the rest of the world. Both amatuers and experts will find this book both very enjoyable and eminently useful. And at this price, believe me, its a bargain.

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Summary: A book to make you love wild conifers
Review: Most plant-lovers spend their hours in the wilds looking downwards. Many avoid looking very much at trees because they don't find great big woody monsters especially interesting, or appealing; or because they find trees somewhat mysterious, and therefore are put off by them. This is especially true of conifers, which many plant people think are all alike. And the situation is not helped by our cultural imperative to not get caught looking at the trees for fear of overlooking the forest. Well, if you are in that category, I have news for you. My forty-plus years of studying, eyeing, touching, smelling, tasting, and (when unobserved) even carrying on intelligent conversations with conifers has convinced me that they are well worth your time or anyone else's. Every species has its own personality, derived from its unique evolutionary experiences. Like other organisms, conifers have a special beauty that can be best appreciated once you learn what to look at, and what to look for. In "Conifers of California" I have tried to demonstrate these principles of conifer appreciation by focusing on the incomparable coniferous flora of the state that has the largest number of conifers, and the most fascinating of conifer species. According to my taxonomy (which may be a bit controversial, but which is explained in the book), there are 52 native conifers and two taxads in California. Each is described, discussed, and given respectfully scientifically accurate coverage, in as much detail as is needed to show its uniqueness. Each is illustrated by a full-page botanical watercolor of fine accuracy and great beauty; and by several color photographs placing it in its environmental context. If you are not already a conifer fan, I feel that this book has a better chance of converting you than any I am aware of. Don't look here for warmed-over tree tales, or oft-repeated bits of misinformation, but rather for solid fact and new research findings, in clear and simple language. And don't look for garden help -- these trees are all wild, and that's the only way to really understand them

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Summary: Really Well Done!
Review: Well written, beautiful pictures and artwork and informative; that sums it up. My brother, who is accustom to seeing much more academic books on my desk, commented that it did not look "too technical". For technical, I recommend Dr.Grossnickle's excellent "Ecophysiology of Northern Spruce Species: The Performance of Planted Seedlings," but for a good education on the distribution and range of California's conifers then I recommend this book heartily.

Rating:
Summary: Really Well Done!
Review: Well written, beautiful pictures and artwork and informative; that sums it up. My brother, who is accustom to seeing much more academic books on my desk, commented that it did not look "too technical". For technical, I recommend Dr.Grossnickle's excellent "Ecophysiology of Northern Spruce Species: The Performance of Planted Seedlings," but for a good education on the distribution and range of California's conifers then I recommend this book heartily.