The acquaintance of trees is within the reach of all. Julia Ellen Rogers

{HISTORY}

...and so begins Julia Ellen Rogers (1866-1958) book on tree identification in the American landscape.  Published as part of The Nature Library in 1926, this edition is gorgeously presented with over 45 full-color illustrations of trees nestled within 281 pages of identification information and historical reference. 

Julia, a lifelong naturalist, published her first guidebook about trees in 1902 (Among Green Trees) and then proceeded to write and publish three more books about them along with a handful of other natural history books with topics including shells, clouds, plants, and wild animals.

Julia wrote for both children and adults and kept her writing equally descriptive and engaging for both audiences. Originally published in 1917, this book simply titled Trees showcases her unique ability to be both scholarly and fanciful at the same time. 

Making sure each tree stands out in a reader's mind, she shares both scientific and whimsical information about each specimen, pointing out unique characteristics to help set them apart from others in the landscape. Starry magnolias are described as precocious. common limes as noble, the burr oak is picturesque, untidy, and irregular. These descriptions give personality, charm, and importance to each tree along with the practical identifiers of leaf and limb size, color, flower, berry shape, and so on. 

Each page is also decorated with a black-and-white line drawing of a pastoral setting making it an absolutely lovely book in both sentiment and presentation. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- 1926 Edition

- 291 pages

- 48 color illustrations 

{CONDITION}

In especially lovely shape considering this is a 96-year-old field guide. The burgundy coverboards contain some fraying on the top and bottom edge, most noticeable on the spine. The titling on the spine has faded over time. The interior is clean and bright with just a smidge of foxing on a few random pages. The book is pulling away from the cloth binding ever so slightly but there is no risk of any of the pages falling out as they are all firmly and securely bound. Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Measures 9.25" inches (length) x 6.25" inches (width) x 1.25" inches (thickness) and weighs 2lbs.

{FOR THE TREE LOVER}

Discover our copse of vintage tree-themed heirlooms here.