Bob, I do not have a copy of the Sibley Guide. In general I want a tree field guide that enables me to distinguish one tree from similar tree species. Many guides are so focused on maintaining the same format so strictly that that useful distinguishing information is often buried among the small text and hidden among trivial detail and nuance. The question of the accuracy of heights - and ages - of different tree species is something I would lie to see corrected, but that won't be accomplished until they are corrected in the common source material for many of the guides- the government publications such as the Silvics of North America and the USDA Plants Database. We need to make inroads there, and we need to continue to make inroads into popular information sources like Wikipedia. I might mention it in a review of a guidebook, but it is not something to really slam them about. Photographs and drawing both have their strengths and weaknesses when used as illustrations, the key really is to have good examples in your book. Ideally there should be some consideration given to variation of leaf size and shape, bark patterns, and regional variations and trends within a species. Good luck with your review.
Ed "Beauty is a summation of the parts working together in such a way that nothing is needed to be added, taken away or altered." Elio Caretti -- Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected]
