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Now expanded and updated: Californians’ favorite reference book to trees in our everyday lives.
"Anyone who is curious about trees is sure to find education and inspiration in these pages."—David Allen Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Trees and The Sibley Guide to Birds
For more than ten years, A Californian’s Guide to the Trees among Us has taught Californians the what, why, and how of trees in our cities and towns. This edition has been updated by the author to reflect new trends in urban forestry, with a revised introduction, updated taxonomy and nomenclature, and more than ten additional species featured.
Matt Ritter introduces us to over 160 of California’s most commonly grown urban trees in this expanded edition of his best-selling book. Whether native or cultivated, these are the trees that muffle noise, create wildlife habitats, mitigate pollution, conserve energy, and make urban living healthier and more peaceful. Used as a field guide or read with pleasure for the liveliness of the prose, this book will allow readers to learn the stories behind the trees that shade our parks, grace our yards, and line our streets. Rich in photographs and illustrations, overflowing with anecdote and information, A Californian’s Guide to the Trees among Us opens our eyes to a world of beauty just outside our front doors.
"[Ritter] has written a book that explains not only how to identify 150 of California’s most familiar landscape trees, but offers multiple windows into understanding and appreciating these trees […] Text about each tree’s natural history is informative, thoughtful, and occasionally humorous; social or economic influences pertinent to individual species enliven the narrative." —Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society
"Anyone who is curious about trees is sure to find education and inspiration in these pages."—David Allen Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Trees and The Sibley Guide to Birds
An informative and clear book to help you get to know trees that have probably lived in your neighborhood longer than you have. I was amazed to find that practically every tree in a two block radius from my home originated from a different country. Ritter gives some great details about my favorite, the prehistoric gingko trees, which drop a pattern of beautiful yellow leaves all around Pasadena, including at Vroman’s, during the fall season." —Naomi Hirahara, author of Clark and Division
Matt Ritter is a biology professor in California. He is the author of several books including California Plants and A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us. He has an infectious love of trees and all things botanical. He lives in San Luis Obispo, California.
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction
Identification Key to Trees Commonly Cultivated in California
Compendium of Trees (Within the following three categories, trees are arranged alphabetically by genus)
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
Palms
Appendix A: Changing Plant Names
Appendix B: Locations of Photographed Trees
Glossary
References, Further Reading, and Great Tree Books
Index
About the Author
Tree Identification Flowchart