Tree Encyclopedia

Name: Tree Encyclopedia
ISBN: 9787507527704

万永勇Sino-Culture Press · ChinaSep 2024

3.0

Word count: 159K words
Chapters: 21
ISBN: 9787507527704

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Summary

This book visually presents the colorful and varied world of trees, a grand review and tribute to trees of all kinds, enabling readers to easily master the knowledge and methods for identifying various trees. The book has two main parts: "Overview" and "Tree Species." The Overview describes the overall form of trees and the structural features of roots, trunks, leaves, flowers, and fruits, as well as the relationship between forests and ecology, society, and climate. In Tree Species, apart from a few rather distinctive gymnosperms, the rest are grouped into three categories—"Conifers," "Broadleaves," and "Tropical Trees"—including both the most famous, precious, and economically and ecologically significant species and many ordinary, common ones. Each classification entry gives a detailed description of a particular tree, including its habits, family and genus, natural distribution, trunk height, tree form, leaf shape, economic uses, and whether it flowers and bears fruit. In addition, more than 500 carefully created photographs, watercolors, and maps vividly and three-dimensionally present the diversity of the tree kingdom; every detail of each tree—tree form, branches, leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, seeds, and more—is depicted exhaustively, giving the book great practical and aesthetic value.

Editor's review

As a popular science book systematically introducing tree knowledge, Tree Encyclopedia stands out for its clear and orderly organization of vast botanical information. The edition from Huawen Publishing House features refined design and abundant illustrations, making it one of the better books of its kind in combining visual experience with depth of content. From an editorial perspective, the book's greatest strength lies in the logic of its knowledge structure: rather than simply listing tree species, it develops multiple dimensions—biological characteristics, ecological functions, cultural symbolism, and the relationship between trees and human civilization—to build a three-dimensional cognitive system. The illustrations combine scientific accuracy with artistic beauty, helping readers form intuitive impressions. The author Wan Yongyong's writing is plain and rigorous; he avoids overly romanticized nature writing as well as the dryness of purely academic texts, striking a good balance between popular science and readability. For modern readers living in cities and increasingly distanced from nature, this book is like a key reopening the door to observing nature; it not only adds specific knowledge but also cultivates a more attentive, more connected way of knowing. It reminds us that trees are not merely scenery but complex living beings carrying life stories, the history of the earth, and memories of civilization.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Popular science enthusiasts with a strong interest in botany and natural ecology
Parents and educators looking for quality natural science reading for children
Landscape, horticulture, and environmental professionals seeking basic reference knowledge
Hikers and travelers who enjoy the outdoors and want to deepen their understanding of the trees around them

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking specific practical gardening techniques such as tree cultivation or bonsai
Professional researchers expecting highly academic, cutting-edge tree research findings

Reading tips

Read in chapter order: first build an understanding of the overall life process of trees, then move on to appreciating specific species.
While reading, observe in the field and try to identify common local species mentioned in the book; combining theory with practice leaves a deeper impression.
Slow down for the sections on culture and history to appreciate the profound interweaving of trees and human civilization.

About the publisher

Sino-Culture Press China · Founded in 1987

Sino-Culture Press is known for publishing in history, social sciences and traditional Chinese culture, with a further reach into literary appreciation, classic works and foreign literature. Its library of 489 titles includes such works as The Road to Dongpo: The Evolution of Su Shi's Poetic Style, The Poetry and Life of Du Fu, The History of Qin and Han, and Six Hundred Years of the Forbidden City (collector's edition), while A Preliminary Survey of Ancient Architecture in Shanxi and Fen: Hand-drawn Records of Architectural Remains reflects an interest in documenting architectural heritage. Van Loon's Collected Classics and guided-reading editions of works such as Call to Arms and Notre-Dame de Paris serve general readers and classroom use. Its authors include scholars and popular writers such as Fu Junmai, Chen Linlin, Van Loon, Wang Longlin and Guan Ranrong, and biography is another direction. As public information is limited, this note focuses on the publishing profile shown by the titles in the library.

版权信息
出版说明
综述
形态学特征
树形
树干和木质部结构
树皮
根系
变态根
树叶
花和果实
树的生长
世界上的森林
森林和社会
树的种类
桫椤
银杏树
苏铁
针叶树
阔叶树
热带树

FAQ

What is the quality of the illustrations? Do they help with tree identification?

The illustrations are mainly high-definition color photographs, supplemented by finely drawn anatomical diagrams, clearly showing overall tree form, branches and leaves, flowers and fruits, bark, and other key identification features. They greatly help non-specialist readers with initial identification.

Is the coverage global or focused on trees native to China?

The book takes a global perspective on tree knowledge, systematically introducing general biological characteristics and ecological roles of trees, while in specific species examples it balances globally representative species with common and distinctive native Chinese species.

Is this book suitable for readers with no botanical background at all?

Very suitable. The book starts from the most basic concepts, uses accessible language, and is clearly organized—an introductory popular science book for the general public. Anyone with curiosity about nature can read it smoothly and gain new knowledge.

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About the author

万永勇 Author

Wan Yongyong is an author of popular science and history books about whom limited public information is available; no details such as nationality, dates of birth and death, or educational background are known. Nine of his works are included in the collection, centering on popular science, historical mysteries, and biography. Representative titles include the suspense-oriented books The Complete Collection of Unsolved Mysteries of China, Unsolved Mysteries of World Archaeology, and Unsolved Mysteries of World Celebrities, as well as nature encyclopedias such as Insect Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia of Aquatic Animals, Tree Encyclopedia, and Encyclopedia of Amphibians, along with the history-of-science work 100 Inventions and Discoveries That Changed the World. His writing tends to organize knowledge in an itemized, illustrated format for general readers, balancing readability with information, and has found a readership in the popular science and history book market.