The preparation, text and artistry of the Tree Book has been four years in the making. Extensive field expeditions, botanical research, scientific consultations, and the patient artwork of 26 local illustrators have all been part of this excellent production. It is truly a labor of love. The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust thanks heartily all involved - artists, writers, financial supporters, coordinators and volunteers. And everyone who buys a guidebook! Proceeds will benefit both the Land Trust and the Rim Of the World Interpretive Association (ROWIA) of the Heaps Peak Arboretum, which is handling distribution of the book. ORDER your "Trees of the San Bernardino Mountains"

All 50 mountain trees and shrubs included in the guidebook are native to our local mountains with the single exception of the sequoia, which has been adapted to our area. The colorful drawings faithfully depict the individual species to make identification quick and easy. The lovely drawings are coupled with concise text that describes key characteristics and intriguing facts about each featured plant.

"Trees of the San Bernardino Mountains" is an excellent addition to the naturalist literature on the San Bernardino Mountains. The new guidebook is a perfect companion to "Wildflowers of the San Bernardino Mountains," published by the Land Trust in 1999. Both guides are available on our website or by writing to us. The Tree Book makes an excellent gift and is an ideal handbook for every mountain resident and visitor, especially as a reference for native species.

The Tree Book is meant to enhance the general knowledge of our precious mountain-forest ecosystem. The trees and shrubs of the San Bernardino Mountains offer important stories and lessons to share. Hopefully the guidebook will encourage all of us to learn more about our precious native trees and to value them more highly in these difficult times of drought, fire and wide-spread die-off of our conifers.