Review of A Natural History of Conifers
Book by Aljos Farjon Inspires Admirers of Pines, Firs and Redwoods
Sep 19, 2009
Aljos Farjon headed the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and has written numerous books and papers on conifers. While most of his writing is aimed at botanists, this book was written for everyone interested in the natural world.
He notes that many people know conifers mainly through the rangy hedges of urban landscaping. But these cultivated examples hardly do justice to this varied tribe of generally cone-bearing, needle-adorned naturally-occurring trees and shrubs.
Three Hundred Million Years and Counting
Conifers predate the flowering plants. Their roots extend back to before the time of the dinosaurs and before the world’s continents had settled into their current configurations and locations on the globe. This book reveals how the fossil history of conifers helps scientists trace the geological history of the earth.
Included are illustrations drawn from fossils of some of the planet’s first trees that resemble almost exactly conifers still living today.
Conifers persevered through the earth’s violent volcanic upheavals, ice ages and global warming, plus the challenge of holding their own against the faster-growing flowering newcomers. Whether a serious student of botany or an interested nature-lover, the reader will find the story outlined here fascinating.
Predominance in the Northern Hemisphere
The story of why most conifers are found in the Northern Hemisphere is told here, along with the curious distribution pattern that places them predominately around the Pacific Rim. Explained is why the largest conifers, including the 367-foot coast redwood, are found in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Northern California, as well as where the greatest diversity of species is found.
Also explained is why Southern Hemisphere conifers are often of distinct families, including those of the podocarpus and araucaria.
Newly Discovered Species
Farjon tells of many of his own explorations of conifer territory, and those of fellow botanists, where unrecorded species were found. These read as exciting trips of discovery, many into rough, inhospitable terrain.
Among the newly re-discovered species noted is the beautiful dawn redwood, once thought to have been extinct for millions of years.
Another expedition goes to the remote island of New Caledonia with a surprising array of unusual trees.
General botanical information about conifers is included. Numerous photos and illustrations show the variety of conifer leaves – from needles to scales, long and drooping to short and sharp. Pictures also show the variety of cones, some resembling colorful berries.
Of course, no discussion of trees in nature would be complete without a discussion of their ecological importance and conservation, and this is thoroughly explored.
The author uses scientific names to identify most of the tree species, not always translating them into common names. Readers unfamiliar of these botanic names might want a key handy to help recognize trees from their own neighborhood or local arboretum, and for picturing species as they come up in the book chapters. A glossary of botanic terms is included in the book.
Publication Information
A Natural History of Conifers, by Aljos Farjon, Timber Press, Portland, OR, 2008, 304 pages, US$34.95.
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