Forest and Shade Trees of Iowa (Bur Oak Guide)

This book is very straightforward and useful. It can be appreciated by landscapers, students of woody plant materials, or Iowans who appreciate the outdoors.The identification section of this book has very good keys, including for summer and winter; it also dedicates two pages to each tree and shrub species common in Iowa (about 2/3 in pictures and 1/3 in text). I especially appreciate that the authors chose to concisely specify the species' distribution within the state, and whether it is truly native or merely planted. Each entry also includes the distinguishing characteristics and how to differentiate from similar trees. The pictures of actual leaves, buds, fruit, and bark, are large and clear.Other sections include the natural history and uses of Iowa trees, with sections for conifers, flowering trees, and promising trees for the state (trees for shade, landscaping, reforestation).

This book was recommended to me by the local DNR forestry guy. What a great book. I thought it would be bigger (text book size) for some reason but it really packs a ton of information anyway while being a manageable size. Well written, well sorted, well researched and very useful. The fact that it's in black and white disturbed me a bit in the beginning but now it makes me able to recognize things by the shape and texture rather than the color (which can be deceiving and ever changing).

This is a great book for any and all naturalists and those wishing to learn about the landscape. My only qualm is that bark isn't always an included identification resource, which can be limiting in some cases. Other than that a great purchase, would recommend.

Excellent book. Good photos. Has all info needed

I reviewed this at my blog:[...]This is an excellent resource if you need or want to know specific trees, not suggestions for tree families and "related but not quite the one" (most books). By using the key in the front of the book, users of all knowledge levels can access an exhaustive and accurate listing and illustrations.I would appreciate illustrations of the trees at full height if a third edition is in the works.

Purchased for my husband. He really likes the book but wishes there were more pictures of the trees.

A great resource

The book would be a lot better if they included pictures of the tree bark.