FIELD GUIDE

Do you know what comes in northern red, black, scarlet, bear, white, chestnut, bur, and swamp white? (We’ll give you a hint: it’s not an L.L. Bean flannel shirt.) Oak trees found in Maine. And if you have trouble distinguishing the subtle differences between, say, a quaking aspen and a bigtooth aspen, have no fear. The centennial edition of Forest Trees of Maine (available for seven dollars by calling the Maine Forest Service at 207-287-2791 or ordering online at www.state.me.us/doc/mfs/pubs/ftm/ftm_centennial.html) is a great resource for identifying the arboreal inhabitants of the Maine woods.

Published since 1908, the year in which President Theodore Roosevelt applauded Maine for its “wise utilization of forests,” this guide has served as a companion for visitors to the Maine forests as well as a reminder of the importance of conservation. Color photos, summer and winter identification keys, maps of occurrence, and thorough descriptions make this guide a must-have for any budding arborist in Maine.