Book review: FOREST TREES OF SOUTHERN THAILAND

[drtreelove]

This is not exactly a thorough book review, just a heads up for tree lovers in Thailand about this new 3 tome English language title; a follow up to the master work "A Field Guide to FOREST TREES of NORTHERN THAILAND originally published in 2000.

 

FOREST TREES OF SOUTHERN THAILAND had the first volume published in 2015, the second volume in 2016 and there is a third volume to follow. This is an authoritative, scientific masterpiece.  I hate to say it's not for the casual gardener/tree enthusiast, because it can be useful for tree identification and more detailed scientific descriptions of native trees than you will find anywhere else. But it is most appropriate for the botanists and professionals among us, who value detailed and scientific terminology in accurate tree species descriptions. 

 

The one defect in my opinion, as with the Northern Trees book, the common names of trees are written in Thai language, but not translated into English.  Therefore if one is not a reader of Thai, you will not have access to common names without a translator. This factor makes this book a little less useful for a wide range of potential readers who may wish to communicate with local people who only know common names. But it's still a master work and should not be discredited. 

 

https://www.se-ed.com/product/Forest-Trees-of-Southern-Thailand-Volume-1-Acanthaceae-to-Escalloniaceae-ปกแข็ง.aspx?no=9786167150390

 

"Southern Thailand has one of the richest tree floras in the world and contains 75% off all native trees found in Thailand. This series will cover 2400 species over three volumes, including over 90% of wild trees known from the region. Two thirds of all these species are described in detail and fully illustrated with 1200 original drawings and over 7000 photographs over the three volumes, which capture the astonishing beauty of these plants, most of which have never been seen in print. The text is authoritative and up-to-date but written in non-technical language to appeal to amateur botanists as well as professionals. A second section of 150 pages is devoted to synonyms, references, distribution and uses. This unique book is the most complete guide ever published to the flora of this fascinating region and is an essential reference for anyone interested in the natural history of the peninsula."

Volume 2 covers the Euphorbiaceae to Menispermaceae.

 

Enjoy this valuable resource.  Don,  ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (retired)