Jim,

I certainly agree the Botanica photos are lacking where
we would like to have detailed description. Simon Schuster's
handy little Tree book does a little better on that score,
then there is Simon Schuster's Guide to Bonsai, but the last
two have so few trees - Tree book has 150, I think, and the
Bonsai book probably less, yet. I find all three of these
indispensable.

My use for Botanica is its sheer Number of trees and
shrubs - and its supply of clues on driving trips or in a big
nurseries where I usually find help very spare. The inclusive
shrub part has been useful. Here we have the early stages of
the huge Oregon Garden project in progress now. It is great
to visit and wander, or the music and entertainment
presentations are a great treat in the surroundings and I can
find most anything I am puzzled about listed in the Botanica.
No - I do not have the encyclopedia but it is in the
library -
about a five block walk away from me is all.
The biggest problem I have with books is - always too
many in the car. Add to the tree books a couple on rocks and
minerals.
But, it is one book better now than when I was fishing.

Lynn

Lynn Boyd, Oregon, USA

It's good, but _I_ think the photos are the problem.
They're
either not detailed enough (distant shot of a tree that
could be
most anything) or they're so detailed as to be a jumble. I
prefer books with diagrammatic drawings, in any event. It's
also
arranged alphabetically -- which means you've gotta pretty
much
know what it is in order to find it. A good handbook has
trees
with similar characteristics listed together so you can
compare
leaf shapes, etc.

People tend, using photos, to want their tree to look
EXACTLY
like the photo. That never happens. The drawings can more
readily highlight the diagnostic features that let you
identify
the plant -- whether it's leaves, bundle scars, bark, or
buds.
THEN you can go to a book with photos.

But yes, it's certainly worth having. Do you also have the
encyclopedia???

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our
life is
frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. --
Henry
David Thoreau - Walden


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