I am looking for a good book on tree identification. It needs to be smaller so I can pack it hunting and read it while on stand. I'm simple so I need lots of pictures and easy to understand writing.  

I know we have some tree gurus out there.

Thanks

If you hunt in illinois, you could probably find a tree I.D. book for IL., or at least for your part of the country on Amazon.com or in a local library.   Or through your area's forestry dept. Pup

http://forestry.about.com/od/aboutforestry/tp/id_tree_guides.htm

I have the audubon one and it's good and compact.  Lots of pictures and indexing by leaf configuration.  Bark and leaf pictures.

Dont buy from Audubon...do a little research on what they actually do (i.e. Outer Banks Beach Access)...while they produce a pretty glossy book...The Textbook of Dendrology is a good one not to mention getting you a dicotomis key for winter ID

http://www.amazon.com/Forest-Trees-Illinois-Robert-Mohlenbrock/dp/999648937X

I'd look into this one. I had a couple of classes with Dr. Mohlenbrock who is from IL. He's absolutely the best in my opinion. Very down to earth and eager to share info. I could spend hours talking plants with him. OK, so I'm a geek.  :D

I hunt mostly central S Mo and N Mo some. thaks for the ideas.

"Trees of Missouri" by the MO dept. of Conservation.

Works well for me.. Check the website on the "online" store.


John III

Except for being printed overseas, the Audubon book is pretty good.

Great stuff from the Missouri department of conservation  field guides.

John, I have a book titled "Textbook of Dendrology" that you can have if you pay the shipping. It's from my college days and I no longer need it. Just let me know and it's yours.  By the way the size is about 6x8x1 or very near it.

I'm a retired Wildlife Biologist with degrees in Forestry and Wildlife Science from Purdue University. Like another wrote, getting a book written about the trees in your area is your best bet. The book should cover leaves and very importantly, branch ends (twigs) also.  Twig buds are one of the very good ways to identify a lot of different trees expecially when the leaves are off. Once you develop an eye for it the shape of the tree and the bark will be all you'll need for a lot of them.

We had a great Dendro Text and Key when I was at Purdue. By the way, those books would be solid for IL also if you can't find anything your University uses.

I ordered the Trees of MO off their website. Thanks for the ideas everyone.

Mr. Brown you have a PM