Fruit Key and Twig Key to Trees and Shrubs

The little things about trees and plants can be such big identifiers. This book shows you that. It's a little difficult to navigate at first but once you figure that out (read the instructions!) you're on your way. Essential for winter ID and for the tricky plants that look so similar it's hard to figure out what they are.

Unfortunately this book's description does not mention that this is a book for the north-eastern US. This is not the book i was looking for.However, it is still a great book, and many of the trees in my area are in it. I'm going to have to try to find another book though, this one doesn't suit the need.I'm still giving this book 4 stars, because it is a great book, it is the item description that deserves a lower rating.

Great little book for a nature lover. Pictures very helpful too.

I was a forestry technician for the U.S.F.S. I carried one in my satchel when I marked timber there was also a copy inthe office. Any body who is looking for a book for tree and shrub ID with no leaves this book is it. My forestry professeralso used this book in class.

Fascinating little book that made twig identification feel like a treasure hunt every time.

This is a great book to own if you are a horticulturist. It is great for winter identification. I used this book to help study for a plant ID competition and I feel like it helped

If all you have is an acorn, a seed pod, or a thorny winter branch, this is the book to have to identify it. It uses both common and scientific names. It is very useful for winter identification of the trees at Ives Road Fen Preserve in Southeast Michigan.

Decent book

This is two books in one. 'Fruit Key to Northeastern Trees' and 'Twig Key to the Deciduous Woody Plants of Eastern North America. Of course many of these trees have been planted either for forestry , ornamental or street trees in the UK so still of use here. First published in 1941 & 1946. Facsimile editions.

A must have reference book for anybody interested in dendrology.The book is standard Dover quality paper and size.Harlow’s botanical descriptions are original where his dichotomous keys can be better than the latest university websites and other resources.A companion book is Harlow’s guide to Eastern trees. Both books are excellent.I positively identified three difficult trees within an hour of getting this book. Other resources had gaps in their botanical descriptions leaving some indecision about these trees in question. Harlow’s fruit and twig keys solved the difficulties with his accurate botanical descriptions.All of the pictures are in black and white which places more emphasis on the accuracy of his botanical descriptions in a few simple words.An example is his use of the word “woolly” to describe some buds (like Black Oak) which places emphasis on the type of pubescence. Or his dichotomy of measuring buds by size and conical apex (acute or obtuse).By following these two keys of Harlow, the reader will gain a deeper knowledge of identifying native trees. This is a valuable skill.An important and original work that displays a vast knowledge of tree samples from a lifetime of research. Special gratitude must be given to Harlow for writing such excellent books on trees and sharing his extensive knowledge.

An inexpensive guide to the fruits and twigs of many woody plants of eastern North America, this reprint of a 1946 dichotomous key has the dark, poor quality photos of its era. It's really 2 separate keys, and though it contains a wealth of information, you really have to enjoy going through the tedious step-by-step process of following the key to figure out what you're looking at. I don't so I only gave it 2 stars.

Should be noted that this is a guide to EAST COAST trees and shrubs.