Tree ID Reference Book

[tmoody052000]

What book would you guys recommend for identifying trees in North America?  I live in Montana and we have mostly have pine, fir, larch and spruce.  Occasionally I might find some maple or oak that somebody wants removed from their yard. 

[Otis1]

National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America

Has color pictures of leaves, bark, twigs, seeds/ cones and range maps. 

[Wattwood]

Peterson's Field Guide to Western Trees.

[zippski]

I have several books on tree identification that I regularly reference.  I am not a huge fan of the Peterson guides. My go-to book for years has been "Trees in Canada" which has just published a second edition.  All of the range maps in the west include Montana and other northern and midwest US states.  Beautiful large color photos of both trees AND bark, which is rare.

Here's a link to an expensive copy on the Lee Valley website that has page views.  It's probably on Amazon for less

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/books-and-dvds/10087-trees-in-canada-revised-edition?item=49L1012&utm_source=free_google_shopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyJOBBhDCARIsAJG2h5dLQ7JRcr-0McCjIN9Z9vEjHKL2ilTICIT-ljVx4L62xqZ_nkYSRpYaAkI9EALw_wcB

Leigh
zippski

[Wattwood]

Peterson's is old school for sure but for many of us they were the go to guide back in the day and did their job well. Should be easy to find used copies. Rob

[Skip]

The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees (Eastern Region) is what I use  :P .

[SwampDonkey]

The Audubon books work well.

My first book was "Native Trees of Canada". But soon found out it was not used at University, but was used at Forest Ranger School. In university we had to use 'Textbook of Dendrology' because of the scientific terms, not just the Latin names. Besides an old English perfectionist for a professor. He thought he was going to trip me up one day on maple ID. Was it sugar maple or Norway? I was prepared, as I knew Norway had milky sap on the leaf petiole when fresh picked. But I didn't win them all. :D

[mainepatriot]

Forest Trees of Maine: Handbooks & Guides: Publications: Division of Forestry: Maine ACF


This is the one I use.  A state forester gave me a copy years ago, you can still buy it.  Nice spiral binding on it which is handy.

[Clark]

If you're in NW Montana you've got your hands full learning the various conifers. I worked there for a brief spell and I think there were ~15 conifers to be aware of. Very interesting country to work in. 

I don't have a specific book recommendation but something that applies to Montana or the northern Rockies would be a good start.

Clark

[tmoody052000]

The Audubon books work well.

My first book was "Native Trees of Canada". But soon found out it was not used at University, but was used at Forest Ranger School. In university we had to use 'Textbook of Dendrology' because of the scientific terms, not just the Latin names. Besides an old English perfectionist for a professor. He thought he was going to trip me up one day on maple ID. Was it sugar maple or Norway? I was prepared, as I knew Norway had milky sap on the leaf petiole when fresh picked. But I didn't win them all. :D

I have purchased the book 'Native Trees of Canada'.  It is so nice that my wife wants it out as a coffee table book.  Great recommendation.  Thank you.

[firefighter ontheside]

I got this book about 35 years ago called, "Knowing your Trees".  It has I would guess most north american species in it.  It is still available on Amazon.  I have used it a lot in that time.

I also have a much bigger book called "Silvics of North America, Conifers"   There's a lot of useful info in there too.

[Old Greenhorn]

I'd like to bring this back up for a little more discussion. I am always searching for a better book that allows me to locate a tree ID quicker, instead of reading for 30 minutes or more. I just ordered a copy of the Smithsonian book. I have a handful of various field guides all around the house and shop, but I seem to need to consult 3 books for an evening to be sure. I need to step up my skills in the field back to what they were when I was 15 and could identify just about every tree I came across (Except the ornamentals which could grow in the strangest places). (It was an obsessive hobby then.)
I am looking at a book called "Bark: A Field guide to trees of the Northeast". This one leans more heavily into the bark ID and is something I need for winter identification since there is little to go by besides bark, tree shape, branch formation, and maybe some buds. I wonder if anyone uses this one? It's not cheap.
Also, what book helps you ID a tree easiest?

I love books, never have enough, but I have to watch how many I buy. It gets expensive and storage is already an issue. I have hundreds all over the house.

[thecfarm]

Forest Trees of Maine: Handbooks & Guides: Publications: Division of Forestry: Maine ACF

Yes, I have bought 3 copies so far.
Kinda a shock the first time I ordered one. I forgot how I did it, but they sent me the book, and asked me to pay for it.     ???   State of Maine must trust me.
I only am interested on what is on my land.
I also have Shrubs of the Northern New England Forest by Michael L. Cline. This has really been a great help to me. I bought it at Fryeburg Fair. A google will bring it up too. I have used the shrub book more than the tree one.
Thanks to my Father I knew most of the trees on my land.
I went to an event that the cooperative extension was putting on and got the copy of the trees of Maine there for free!!!