African Trees


Book Description

"African Trees" is primarily an art book containing breathtaking images of some of the most extraordinary and beautiful indigenous trees in Southern and East Africa. Through photographs and text it conveys the magic of African trees and their vital interrelationship with the continent's people, animals, birds and insects. Charles Bryant and Brita Lomba share a passion for trees, photography and Africa. They live in Cape Town and are avid collectors of fine art photography.




Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa


Book Description

This comprehensively updated and expanded edition of the region’s best-selling field guide to trees offers much, much more than the highly successful first edition. Fully updated text (including additional species entries) and distribution maps, numerous new photographs and a new 87-page section of full-tree photographs makes this well-loved guide even more indispensable in the field. Southern Africa has a rich variety of tree species, with an estimated 2 100 indigenous species and more than 100 naturalised aliens. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa describes and illustrates more than 1 000 of these, focusing on trees that are the most common and most likely to be encountered. Species are logically arranged in 43 groups based on easy-to-observe leaf and stem features, and each account is illustrated by full-colour photographs of the plant’s diagnostic parts. The text also touches on the practical uses of the plants.




Field Guide to Common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa


Book Description

Fully updated and expanded, this third edition of the top-selling Field Guide to Common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa now features more than 520 of the trees and shrubs – indigenous and naturalized exotics – commonly found in the region. Each of the four sections – trees, shrubs, palms and mangroves – is arranged in alphabetical order according to scientific name. The book features: an informative introduction to families. Species accounts describing the plants’ habitat, bark, leaves, flowers and fruit. General and commercial applications and uses in traditional medicine. Almost 2,000 photographs depicting the species, its fruit, flowers and bark. Glossaries, both textual and illustrated, of botanical and medical terms. An invaluable ID guide to the trees and shrubs in gardens, parks and along roadsides of East Africa.




Woody Plants of Western African Forests


Book Description

A guide to the identification of all the woody plants (c. 2,250 species in 740 genera) of the forest region of West Africa called 'Upper Guinea', between Togo and Senegal. Upper Guinea is one of the world's most important centres of biodiversity, from the mountain forests of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, to the lowland evergreen, and semideciduous forests widespread also in Ghana and Ivory Coast. This comprehensively illustrated guide will play a vital supportive role in the challenge of sustainable development within the forest region of West Africa, helping to promote best practice in the management of its plants and forests.




The ways and wonders of South African Trees


Book Description

A celebration of the rich diversity and beauty of indigenous trees, The Ways and Wonders of South African Trees uncovers the fascinating world of trees and how they function. Presented in two parts, the first explores the physiology and behaviour of trees and the second the grandeur of a select number of species, richly supported by photographs. A comprehensive introduction focuses on the complex life of trees, uncovering how they grow, compete for water, defend themselves and make use of photosynthesis to survive; their role in pollination; and the symbiotic relationships they have with each other and other life forms. Record-breakers such as the oldest, tallest and biggest trees are also featured. The second half of the book showcases some 160 conspicuous species, including the iconic baobab, sausage tree and mopane tree, as well as lesser-known but interesting trees such as baboon’s breakfast. These accounts describe the unique traits of different trees and their various parts, and discusses how they are used by animals and birds, and by humans. Sales points: Will appeal to all tree enthusiasts. Explains complex concepts in simple terms. Feautures 160 common or interesting south African trees.







Wangari's Trees of Peace


Book Description

As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. . . . This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman’s passion, vision, and determination inspired great change. Includes an author’s note. This book was printed on 100% recycled paper with 50% postconsumer waste.




African Acacia Trees Protect Themselves!


Book Description

Many animals munch on the leaves of a tree for sustenance. However, the African acacia absolutely objects to being eaten. They've developed several clever ways to protect themselves, including thorns, chemical defenses, and ant guards. Readers of this absorbing volume will discover fascinating facts about this unusual tree, including what kind of chemical defenses it has and how it uses its ant guards. Age-appropriate text highlights important elementary science concepts, while colorful images help readers closely examine a tree they may never see in real life. Fact boxes share fun tidbits and a graphic organizer enriches the main text.




Proverbs and the African Tree of Life


Book Description

In Proverbs and the African Tree of Life Dorothy BEA Akoto-Abutiate juxtaposes chosen sayings from Proverbs and selected Ewe Folk proverbs using the agricultural metaphor of “grafting,” which she calls a “hermeneutic of grafting.” Though these two sets of sayings come from completely different cultural contexts, Akoto argues that folk sayings/proverbs, which abound in Africa, should be considered as an already mature, established tree on to which a piece of the biblical tree is spliced or engrafted to produce hybridized fruits that have uniquely different tastes than the fruits of each tree individually. This metaphorical grafting process allows the message of the Bible (in Proverbs) to be understood, imbibed and appropriated in Africa.




How to Identify Trees in Southern Africa


Book Description

This book’s title says it all! Now in an updated second edition, it provides a clear understanding of how trees are constructed and what to look for when identifying a tree. The book is divided into two parts: Part 1 describes and clearly illustrates the different parts of a tree and their role in tree identification. Part 2 features a key to 43 tree groups, based on easy-to-observe stem and leaf features. It carefully outlines each group and the southern African tree families represented in the different groups. Numerous colour photographs and explanatory illustrations support the text, making this an accessible and easy-to-use guide. How to Identify Trees in Southern Africa will equip readers with a sound understanding of how trees work and what to look for in order to make a positive ID. Sales points: Clear and explanatory introduction to tree identification; includes a tried and tested key to tree groups based on easy-to-observe features; new edition – updated to reflect latest taxonomic changes; ideal companion to field guides to trees.