Rick Gray

A great resource for learning what trees are native to southwestern Ontario. Although there is much more to the book than just the tree descriptions, it is these that will have you coming back to this indispensable guide time and time again. Each of the 73 trees in the book have a 2 page spread that describes the tree, its habitat, wildlife value, information about the wood, propagation, culture and use. It also tells you of any problems with this tree (i.e. pests, diseases, susceptibility to damage, etc.) and offers a Quick Check section for when you are in the field. It includes clear drawings of key features (leaf, buds, flowers, seeds, etc.), a range map, and a great pictorial showing the mature tree's relative size. And for the trivia buffs, the author notes Ontario's largest specimen. This is an invaluable resource for anyone living in southwestern Ontario who wants to know about native trees of the region.