by Mark Mikolas, 208 pages, 6x9, softcover. If you’ve ever felt stumped by tree ID, Mikolas wants you to know it’s not your fault and he’s here to make it easier. His book challenges the standard pedagogy on the subject, arguing that recognition, not identification, is the proper starting point for aspiring dendrophiles. His alternative is concise but effective, forgoing a full taxonomy of each species in favor of highlighting a few unique traits that single out each one. The cues are accentuated with color photos of each detail, taken from multiple trees, at multiple times of year, in different conditions, supplemented by standard info like geographic range and trivia. The method presumes you’re walking in the woods with the book in hand, about to look closely at a tree for the first time in your life, with a goal of better connecting with your environment, not earning an advanced degree. If you’re tired of feeling stranded in the wilderness, this guide offers a gateway to further exploration that will help you see the trees in the forest and the forest for the trees. -KH
A Beginner’s Guide to Recognizing Trees of the Northeast
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