Recommended books on milling and tree ID

[jackganssle]

Folks,

Well, I've placed an order for an LT-15 and can't wait for its arrival. My wife keeps shaking her head in disbelief.

Can anyone recommend books on identifying trees, and on the process of sawmilling? I've read a lot about the latter here on this great site, but remain somewhat mystified about sawing for grade and all.

Thanks,
Jack

[LOGDOG]

Hi Jack,

   Welcome to the Forum. WoodMizer has a video series that is an introduction to sawing. You may want to check it out. You can just call up to WoodMizer and ask for it. They'll know what you're looking for.

LOGDOG

[fishpharmer]

Good question Jack, one I too have asked myself and some members of Forestry Forum.  I am no expert on whats available in the book department.  Yet there doesn't really seem to be any one fully comprehensive book about sawmilling and tree ID.  You will find that Forestry Forum is the single largest source of milling knowledge in the universe ;D  I would venture to say there is no milling situation or even tree ID that an FF member has not come across before.

That being said, glad to have you as a member to FF.  Stick around some and you will learn a lot, don't hesitate to ask or use the search button.  Might even make a few friends. 8)

[Jeff]

There is no book anywhere that has as much information on milling as you can find right here on the Forestry Forum and its all right here at your finger tips.

[REGULAR GUY]

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Regular Guy

[beenthere]

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[Don K]

Welcome to the forum, Jack. You will learn more by doing and reading on here and asking questions. The sawmill board has a ton of threads with pics. Find some one close to you and see if you can come watch and pull a few boards while your at it.

Congrats on the LT 15. I had one that I learned to saw on and it is a great machine. You will enjoy it.

Don

[LOGDOG]

I agree about the Forestry Forum being the best place to learn. Since he was here already though I figured he had that covered.  ;)

LOGDOG

[RynSmith]

Well, I'll weigh in on the tree i.d. book.  I see you're in MD and have been told that counts as the South (couldn't find the Confederate Flad smiley  ;D), so I would recommend Guide to Southern Trees by Harrar and Harrar.  It's pretty technical but very comprehensive.  No color pictures like you might expect (line drawings), but thorough descriptions of buds, twigs, bark, habit, habitat and, of course, leaves.  Apparently I'm not the only fan because Amazon has it listed for $225+ new!      Pretty sure I didn't pay that as a poor college student in the 90's...  No worries though, used ones start from $1.57   :   ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Southern-Trees-Ellwood-Harrar/dp/0486209458/ref=cm_wl_create-landing

[bandmiller2]

Jack,a good way to learn trees is to have someone in your area point out and tell you which is which,tree guy, tree warden,or knowledgable farmer.Then you can see the tree, learn its local name and get a close look at the bark.Books are OK but getting up close to the real thing is better.Usally theirs just a handfull of trees in any area that are milled. Frank C.

[POC]

I know there is a HUGE amount of information here, held in the members.  But sometimes the problem, especially starting out, is not KNOWING what to ask.  Not knowing enough to ask an intelligent question.
I know enough to be dangerous  :D
So I'd also like to know the name of some books to check out.  I can figure out what kind of tree I got, usually.  Unless it is some "out of the way" tree.  I learned just by being in the woods with my dad.
So how 'bout them books lads!
Patrick

[woodman58]

Hey Guys, Here is a book I bought on the net. It is called Identifying Trees (An all-season guide to eastern North America) by Michael D. Williams. http://www.amazon.com/Identifying-Trees-All-Season-Eastern-America/dp/0811733602
It is full of info on each tree. It has full color pics of the what the full tree looks like, bark, leaves, fruit, what some trees look like in winter,and placement of branches.

[dutchman]

Peterson Field Guides, Eastern Trees, is the book I started with.

[Kansas]

Arbor Day foundation has a very good pocket book for tree identification. They also have it online.

http://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/

[Tom]

I used to by the Audubon society field Guide to North American Trees.  XXXXX region.

The x's represent the areas of the country that the book covers.  The species will overlap from book to book.

The pictures are pretty good and are on slick paper and the descriptions of the species can be found in the back.  I used to have them for all over the country and kept one for the Southeast in the truck and in the house..  I also bought them for wild flowers, butterflies, reptiles, fungi, etc.   They are good, pocket sized books.

There are more technical books available, but these are good.

[POC]

I agree with Tom, the Audobon books are pretty good.

That being said, generally, "What is it" books that have drawings, rather than
pictures are usually easier to use.  The artists usually highlight the distinguishing
features that can be missed in the photo of ONE subject (bird, tree, flower, whatever).

I'm still waiting on some books about SAWING   :'(

Patrick