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A compelling account of the extraordinary relatives of ordinary garden conifers.

Leading expert Aljos Farjon provides a compelling narrative that observes conifers from the standpoint of the curious naturalist. It starts with the basic question of what conifers are and continues to explore their evolution, taxonomy, ecology, distribution, human uses, and issues of conservation. As the story unfolds many popular misconceptions are dispelled, such as the false notion that all conifers have cones. The extraordinary diversity of conifers begins to dawn as Farjon describes the diminutive creeping shrub Microcachrys tetragona , whose strange seed cones resemble raspberries, and the prehistoric-looking Araucaria meulleri .

The taxonomic diversity of conifers is huge and Farjon goes on to relate how, over the course of 300 million years, these trees and shrubs have adapted to survive geological upheavals, climatic extremes, and formidable competition from flowering plants. All who seek to learn more about the early history of life on our planet will cherish this book.

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CHOICE Review

Conifers, cone-bearing trees and relatives, hold a special place in the landscape and in people's imagination. They are often planted as ornamentals, many of them are important in timber production, and some provide tars, resins, flavorings, incense, and amber. This ancient group of plants is known widely in the fossil record, and the study of these early plants helps scientists' understanding of evolution of terrestrial life on the planet. Through the study of the distribution of living members of this group of trees, people have learned about the history of the Earth and the continents. Conifers' forms are highly variable, and there are active breeding programs involving timber production and horticultural aspects. Farjon (formerly, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) covers all of these topics and more. The book is organized in topically centered, lively chapters that include a discussion of conifer ecology and conservation. It is well illustrated with color photographs and line drawings of the trees, their structures, and the landscapes they dominate. Not exactly an encyclopedia but rather a sourcebook, this is the place to go for information about conifers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers and undergraduate students. D. H. Pfister Harvard University

Booklist Review

Despite the relatively small number of species attributed to the genus, there is something about conifers that generates an enthusiasm few other plants can rival. True, their range is diverse, their horticultural versatility vast, and their aesthetic contribution to both wilderness and residential settings inspiring; yet, paradoxically, conifers are often misjudged, misidentified, and misunderstood. To combat misinformation and contribute to the trove of knowledge landscape professionals demand and home gardeners appreciate, international conifer expert Farjon has compiled an exhaustively researched and entertainingly presented overview of the genesis, development, and cultural contribution conifers have made throughout history. From the arctic to the tropics, Farjon explores conifers' geography and geology, evolution and ecology, highlighting the adaptive traits that have allowed them to survive climatic upheaval and thrive on every continent. Although Farjon's treatise leans toward the academic, its conversational tone and enthusiasm ensure that it's accessible.--Haggas, Carol Copyright 2008 Booklist