“Texas harbors an astonishing array of trees, from the towering Bald Cypress and Loblolly Pine of deep East Texas to the Alligator Juniper and Arizona Cypress of the Trans-Pecos mountains. Some, like the Flowering Dogwood and Eastern Redbud are renowned for their lovely spring flowers; the Pecan, for its tasty nuts. Scattered throughout the state, however, are countless trees less well known to all but the most proficient botanist. The Rio Grande Valley, for example, offers habitat for such subtropical species as Sierra Madre Torchwood, Tenaza, Tepeguaje, Colima, and Baretta that occur nowhere else in the United States. Carmine Stahl and Ria McElvaney, in The Trees of Texas, have created a book that will allow even the beginning naturalist to identify this bewildering array. A convenient key sorts the species by leaf shape, the most obvious characteristic, and life-size photographs of those leaves illustrate the species accounts. Trees with elongated leaves are group together, as are those with paddle-shaped or heart-shaped foliage or the various types of compound leaves. Entire leaves may have pointed or rounded tips, each with smooth or rough edges. The reader has only to find the proper leaf shape in the key and then peruse those species that apply. Both test and illustrations also contain useful and diagnostic information on range, growth form, bark, flowers, and fruits. Although nontechnical, The Trees of Texas contains a wealth of fascinating information on both native trees and those introduced species that are widely naturalized. The authors discuss the potential size and growth rate of trees valuable for landscaping purposes; they also warn against highly invasive aliens that should not be cultivated. The appendix even contains some recipes for using wild edibles, long a trademark of Carmine Stahl. Stahl and McElvaney have packed an enormous amount of data into their species accounts. They show how Native Americans and early pioneers used the various trees for food, medicine, clothing, and shelter, and they also discuss the origin of both the common and the scientific names, information that is ignored in most botanical references. Here one finds, for example, brief biographies of the early botanists and naturalists who blazed floral trails across Texas and the nation. The reader not only can identify Mohr, Lacey, Havard, Emory, and Vasey Oaks or Wright, Gregg, and Roemer Acacias, but learn about the people for whom they were named. Stahl and McElvaney have done a commendable job in producing The Trees of Texas. Crisscrossing this enormous state, they found and photographed a vast array of fascinating species and share the results of that quest with their readers. Here beginner and experienced naturalists alike can learn to identify most Texas trees while, at the same time, delving into the folklore, history, and wildlife ecology of the Lone Star State.”--John and Gloria Tveten
“This book can be the beginning of a beautiful friendship–or the reawakening and enrichment of an old one. I mean your friendship with trees, leaves, flowers, fruits, fragrances, and fuzzy things: with nature itself in its endless artistry and fascinations. Here Carmine and Ria feast you with facts and folklore. And they give you an easy and downright fun system for identifying 200-plus Texas trees. Their book is lovely to leaf through–the illustrations are knockouts–and a pleasure to read. Best of all, it can help make every native tree in your yard and in the Texas forest your teacher and friend. I wish I’d had it when I was a kid picking up leaves in the woods, holding them up to the sun, and wondering about them.”--Howard Peacock
“Trees of Texas by Carmine Stahl and Ria McElvaney is a winner!...will be extremely helpful for student, teachers, field naturalists and just about anyone interested in identifying and learning more about Texas trees. I personally recommend this marvelous, new book to anyone with even the slightest interest in what trees grow in their yards, students interested in good grades in science or plant taxonomy, or those of us with a curiosity about our great outdoors.”--Victoria Advocate
“If you have a mystery tree or ever wondered about the species of a tree, get a copy of Texas Trees. It would make an excellent Christmas gift for a bird watchers, home owners, or kids if they climb trees. Farmers and ranchers need carry a copy in their pickups, so when they see an unfamiliar tree, they can identify it. No need to wonder and guess, when facts can be at your finger tips.”--Mexia Daily News
“. . . leads off with some of the most beautiful color photographs you can imagine . . . a winner.”--The Facts
“A absolutely beautiful book . . . a must-have for your gardening library.”--Homegrown
“. . . a very user-friendly guide to Texas trees that well serves the needs of beginning tree enthusiasts, as well as experienced naturalists.”--Review of Texas Books
“In addition to being a useful guide to tree ID, this book also contains valuable information that will be useful in choosing trees.”--www.bellaonline.com
"...The Trees of Texas is innovatively organized and friendly ot the novice, using life-sized illustrations as a visual guide to common native and naturalized trees. Perfect for people who want to learn to identify trees without wading through confusing technical terms, it makes a handy reference for libraries, schools, and nature centers. It is also suited for people with interests as diverse as the historical uses of plants, native plant gardening, attracting wildlife, and Texas history."--Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report 237
