Forest Trees of Texas: How to Know Them

Forest Trees of Texas: How to Know Them
Author: Wilbur R. Mattoon
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 266
Release: 2023-10-29
Genre: Nature
ISBN:

Within the pages of 'Forest Trees of Texas: How to Know Them', the editors Wilbur R. Mattoon and C. B. Webster curate an extensive exploration into the rich tapestry of Texas' arboreal treasures. This collection is remarkable not only for its comprehensive detailing of species but as a manifestation of the wider discourse on conservation and the vital importance of ecological awareness. Showcasing a diverse array of literary stylesfrom the academic to the anecdotalit is a significant contribution to environmental literature, providing a compelling overview for enthusiasts and scholars alike. The range of topics covers identification, distribution, and characteristics of trees, making it a standout reference in its field. The contributions from Wilbur R. Mattoon and C. B. Webster, both esteemed in their own right for their pioneering work in forestry and ecological studies, bring together a wealth of knowledge. Their collective expertise, grounded in early 20th-century conservation efforts, positions the anthology as a cornerstone text in environmental and botanical literature. It mirrors broader movements in ecological study and preservation, offering readers insights into the historical and cultural significance of forests in Texas and beyond. 'Forest Trees of Texas: How to Know Them' is a must-read for anyone interested in botany, environmental conservation, or the natural history of Texas. This anthology not only serves as a comprehensive guide but as a bridge between the scientific community and the general public, inviting readers to deepen their understanding of the natural world. The editors meticulous attention to detail and broad-ranging knowledge makes this collection an invaluable resource for both academic study and personal enrichment, fostering a greater appreciation for the complexities and beauty of Texas' forests.

Famous Trees of Texas

Famous Trees of Texas
Author: Gretchen Riley
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Total Pages: 190
Release: 2015-01-21
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1623492386

Famous Trees of Texas was first published in 1970 by the Texas Forest Service (now Texas A&M Forest Service), an organization created in 1915 and charged with protecting and sustaining the forests, trees, and other related natural resources of Texas. For the 100-year anniversary of TFS, the agency presents a new edition of this classic book, telling the stories of 101 trees throughout the state. Some are old friends, featured in the first edition and still alive (27 of the original 81 trees described in the first edition have died); some are newly designated, discovered as people began to recognize their age and value. All of them remain “living links” to the state’s storied past.

Trees of Texas

Trees of Texas
Author: Carmine A. Stahl
Publisher: TAMU Press
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2003
Genre: Nature
ISBN:

This accessible Texas tree book features: life-sized leaf images for easy identification; field-tested methods; 200 species organized by leaf shape; a regional guide to growing trees; a list of non-native trees; recipes for wild edibles; light and water requirements; and folklore and history.

Comanche Marker Trees of Texas

Comanche Marker Trees of Texas
Author: Steve Houser
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2016-09-23
Genre: History
ISBN: 1623494486

In this unprecedented effort to gather and share knowledge of the Native American practice of creating, designating, and making use of marker trees, an arborist, an anthropologist, and a Comanche tribal officer have merged their wisdom, research, and years of personal experience to create Comanche Marker Trees of Texas. A genuine marker tree is a rare find—only six of these natural and cultural treasures have been officially documented in Texas and recognized by the Comanche Nation. The latter third of the book highlights the characteristics of these six marker trees and gives an up-to-date history of each, displaying beautiful photographs of these long-standing, misshapen, controversial symbols that have withstood the tests of time and human activity. Thoroughly researched and richly illustrated with maps, drawings, and photographs of trees, this book offers a close look at the unique cultural significance of these living witnesses to our history and provides detailed guidelines on how to recognize, research, and report potential marker tree candidates.

Living Witness

Living Witness
Author: Ralph Yznaga
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Total Pages: 166
Release: 2012-04-02
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1603447679

In a beautiful tribute to the natural heritage of the Lone Star State, photographer Ralph Yznaga celebrates the strong connections between Texans and their trees. Inspired by the old Texas Forest Service book, Famous Trees of Texas, Yznaga has captured the continuing attachment we have to these magnificent reminders of our culture and history. Stunning images, stories, a detailed map, and driving directions to thirty-seven famous (and infamous) trees help us appreciate how entwined the lives of people and trees are: The Treaty Oak, memorialized in Texas lore as a meeting place for Native Americans and also as the site of Stephen F. Austin’s first boundary treaty with local Indians; The Burnt Oak, standing witness to the dramatic events leading up to the Battle of the Alamo, one of the largest known specimens of Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis; The Sam Houston Kissing Oak, said to occupy the location of a Houston campaign speech near San Marcos, where the "Old Hero" kissed local young women who presented him with a flag; The Great Goose Island Tree, believed to be more than a thousand years old; and many others. The photographs in Living Witness premiered at the groundbreaking of the Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Set to open in 2012, the centennial of Lady Bird Johnson’s birth, the arboretum will feature descendents of historic trees in the Hall of Texas Heroes.

Trees of Texas Field Guide

Trees of Texas Field Guide
Author: Stan Tekiela
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2009-05-28
Genre: Trees
ISBN: 9781591932154

Trees are all around, but how much do you know about them? With this famous field guide by award-winning author and naturalist Stan Tekiela, you can make tree identification simple, informative and productive. Learn about 180 Texas trees, organized in the book by leaf type and attachment. Fact-filled information contains the particulars you want to know, while full-page photos provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. Trees are fascinating and wonderful, and this is the perfect introduction to them.

Insects of the Texas Lost Pines

Insects of the Texas Lost Pines
Author: Stephen Welton Taber
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2003-07-01
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9781585442362

In an isolated pine forest on the eastern edge of Central Texas, there lies an island of abundant and diversified life known as the Lost Pines. Separated from the rest of the state’s East Texas pine forests by more than one hundred miles, the Lost Pines marks the westernmost stand of the loblolly pine and is a refuge for plants and animals more typically associated with the southeastern United States where the tree originated. Surrounded now by pastures and scattered oak woodlands, the Lost Pines supports a remarkable ecosystem, a primeval sanctuary amidst the urban bustle of nearby Austin and of neighboring communities Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville. This 100,000 acre island includes portions of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks, and it was here that Stephen W. Taber and Scott Fleenor encountered insect life of astonishing diversity. Setting out to identify and describe the insects and related animals most readily observed in the Lost Pines, they also discovered some hidden, rare, and never-before-described species. The result is this book, a bestiary of more than 280 species of invertebrates including insects, millipedes, centipedes, spiders, scorpions, mollusks, and worms. Each species description includes common and scientific names; information on biology, distribution, and similar species; and the authors’ special remarks. Many of these animals occur outside the forest, making Insects of the Texas Lost Pines a useful guide to Texas invertebrates in general. When you visit Bastrop State Park, you are likely to see more bugs and spineless creatures than any other form of animal life. The next time you go, turn over a few logs, look at the ants, and don’t swat the flies. Take along this new guide and open up a world of life in one of Texas's most unique and popular landscapes.

Trees of Southeast Texas

Trees of Southeast Texas
Author: Robert O'Brien
Publisher: Quick Reference Pub Incorporated
Total Pages: 12
Release: 2010-04-01
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9780982621158

Trees are a key part of the habitat of a region and can give an area its unique character. This beautifully illustrated, waterproof pocket guide will help you get to know the most important native species that make up the habitat of the Southeast Texas, Houston and surrounding areas. Over 250 stunning illustrations leaf shapes, fruits, nuts, berries, flowers and tree shapes depict 54 of the most common native trees and cover the basics of tree identification. Easy to understand text descriptions cover basic info for each species. A section includes a brief, illustrated primer on how a tree grows and the anatomy of life inside the trunk. Designed as a quick, easy-to-carry reference for naturalists of all ages and education levels.v

Sawdust Empire

Sawdust Empire
Author: Robert S. Maxwell
Publisher: Texas A & M University Press
Total Pages: 244
Release: 1983-12-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9781585440597

This first comprehensive story of logging, lumbering, and forest conservation in Texas records the industry’s history from the earliest days of the Republic, when a few isolated operations provided for local needs, through the first four decades of the twentieth century. Supplemented by over one hundred photographs, many never before published, the text re-creates Texas’ heyday as one of the nation’s leading timber producers. At that time, the forested area equaled the state of Indiana. In the words of one visitor, the forest was “like a vast wave that has rolled in upon a level beach . . . creeping forward, thinning out, and finally disappearing, except where, along a river course, it pushes far inland.” The industry’s most significant growth occurred between the end of Reconstruction and the beginnings of World War II, when entrepreneurs from the North, the South, and the East ventured into the vast stands of virgin timber in the Texas Piney Woods. These pioneers, attracted by the great potential fortunes to be made, provided the capital, expertise, and energy that introduced large mills and railroads to Texas lumbering and developed markets for their products—not only in Houston, Dallas, and other Texas cities but also across the United States and throughout the world. Various lumber companies, logging and mill operations, company towns, and the genesis of forest conservation are all featured in the text and illustrations. This account will appeal to historians, conservationists, and general readers interested in the Texas lumber industry and in Texas economic history.

A Field Guide to Common South Texas Shrubs

A Field Guide to Common South Texas Shrubs
Author: Richard B. Taylor
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Total Pages: 130
Release: 1997
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9781885696144

There are over 281 species of woody plants and 32 species of cacti in the South Texas ecological region. The vast majority of these are found in the lower Rio Grande Valley, which is part of the subtropical Tamaulipan biotic province. Many of the plant species in this area reach their northernmost boundary here. The 44 plants described in this guide represent an estimated 75% of the overall brush biomass of the South Texas ecological region, excluding the lower Rio Grande Valley. The plants are grouped into thorned and thornless categories and alphabetized by family. Distinguishing characteristics have been italicized for easy reference. Similar species are also noted. In this guide, plants are not ranked by importance because their value to animals can differ from ranch to ranch, depending on the plant's availability and the ranch's location, soil type, and land management practices. In case a plant is not found in this guide or more information is desired, a list of additional references is included.