This is a new and unique way to get to know your trees. With more than 160 illustrations and a sure-fire key to identifying our living green friends, this becomes an indispensable handbook. It is written in a clear, enthusiastic, and informative manner. The key the author provides for easy identification of trees will enable untrained observers to track down the family, the genus and species of most trees they encounter. Although this carefully illustrated book focuses on the most common specimens on the West Coast, the key can be used to identify the majority of trees anywhere in North America. Trees of the West points out the distinguishing characteristics, unusual facts, usefulness, edibility, and beauty of each tree. A final chapter, 'How to Grow Native Trees from Seeds', explains techniques developed in nurseries which readers can use to obtain a higher germination rate and/or speed of germination.