Here are five of the best tree identification guides in print. Two actually have companion guides divided into eastern and western North American regions. I have selected these tree identification guides for clarity, usability, coverage and good reviews from users. I personally own all of these books. They are of high quality and a good resource for most tree hobbyists and outdoor enthusiasts. Just pick the one you think offers you most for the value.
1. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region
By Elbert L. LittleThe Eastern Edition generally covers states east of the Rocky Mountains. This photo rich guidebook describes 364 species and is organized by shape of the leaf or needle, by the fruit, by the flower or cone, and by autumn coloration.It's turtleback design makes for a light and compact book that can be easily carried on hikes. Most first time tree identifiers love this book. This is the book to own if east of the Mississippi River. (Turtleback; Knopf; ISBN: 0394507606)
2. National Audubon Society FieldGuide to North American Trees - Western Region
By Elbert L. LittleThe Western Edition covers the Rocky Mountain range and all the states to the west of it. This companion guidebook covers 300 species and is organized exactly like the Eastern Edition. If you stay west of the Mississippi River this is the book to own. (Turtleback; Knopf; ISBN: 0394507614)
3. Peterson Field Guide Series - A Field Guide to Eastern Trees
By George A. Petrides, Janet Wehr, Roger Tory PetersonPeterson's has one of the best pocket-sized tree guides and many prefer this to the Audubon guide. The best part of the Peterson guide is that it has clearly and beautifully illustrated leaved summer and leafless winter keys. Without them, you might find yourself lost among the many pages of illustrations. This particular guide identifies most native trees in the Eastern North America. (Paperback; Houghton Mifflin Co; ISBN: 0395904552)
4. Peterson Field Guide Series - A Field Guide to WesternTrees
By George A. Petrides, Janet Wehr, Roger Tory PetersonThis Peterson's Field Guide companion to the eastern trees includes all the native and naturalized trees of western North America. Nearly 400 trees are beautifully illustrated in color, along with comparison charts, range maps, keys to plants in leafless condition, and text distinctions between similar species. (Paperback; Houghton Mifflin Co; ISBN: 0395904544)
5. Tree Finder: A Manual for the Identification of Trees
By May T. WattsTree Finder is the best pocket-sized tree identification manual available for trees east of Rocky Mountains. Fifty-eight illustrated pages are crammed full of tips that help in identifying 300 of North America's most common native trees. This inexpensive key is dichotomous. You select the best of two questions until identification. Many times you can skip the key if you review the leaf illustrations and have some knowledge of individual tree species.
