How to Choose a Field Guide for Trees

A tree is identified by its leaves, bark, fruit, nuts or flowers. A good field guide will give you a description of every part of the tree.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Famous & Historic Trees Catalogs
• Tree Identification Book

1. Look for a guide that is easy to use out in the field. The Peterson "Eastern Trees" and "Western Trees" field guides pack a lot of information about all parts of the tree for accurate identification.

2. Choose a guide with clear photos or drawings with handy references about each picture such as "Eyewitness Handbooks: Trees."

3. Check out the guide's size and durability.

4. Decide if you want a guide for a specific location or specialty. Some publishers put out guides for specific states or regions such as the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region" and the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Western Region."

5. Match the guide to the naturalist's level of experience. Use the Audubon Society pocket guides, "Familiar Trees of North America: Eastern Region" or the "Western Region," to introduce children to the common trees in their area.

Tips & Warnings

• For children interested in tree identification, the 4-H program has competitions, handbooks and workbooks in forestry.
• Check with your local forestry department. It might have a tree ID book for only a few dollars.
• The local county extension office will also have pamphlets and books about trees in your area.