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 Authors: Braam and Piet van Wyk
Tree identification is generally perceived as difficult, all the more so in a botanically diverse region such as southern Africa, where about 2100 species occur naturally, not to mention several hundred more that have been introduced from elsewhere in the world. How to Identify Trees in Southern Africa – a first of its kind for the region – provides the background knowledge essential for tree identification. The book promotes an approach that will equip readers to use any field guide to trees with greater ease and more confidence. Starting with the basics of plant form, it systematically uncovers the structure of trees to enable a clear understanding of what to look for when trying to identify an unknown tree. The book is divided into two parts: Part One, well-supported with colour illustrations and photographs, describes the various parts of a tree and their significance for identification. Part Two features a key to 43 tree groups based on easy-to-observe stem and leaf features. As a first step towards identification, the group-recognition approach has proved to be more helpful to the layperson than the often-used formal botanical families. An icon is used to depict the principal characters of a group, thus making it easier for the beginner to record and conceptualize tree diversity. Group accounts present explanatory notes on group characters and tips on species identification. A selection of tree species is described and illustrated, and a list of all the southern African plant families represented in each group is supplied (greater coverage of species is featured in the authors' Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa, 1997).
Piet van Wyk (1931-2006), a graduate of Potchefstoom University, worked as a biologist with the Kruger National Park’s research team until his retirement in 1991. An excellent photographer who travelled extensively, he established a large collection of photographs of native trees. Through popular articles and inspiring lectures, Piet played a significant role in promoting an interest in trees among the general public. Among his published works are Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park (Struik, 1984), Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Struik, 1993) and Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Struik, 1997). Braam van Wyk, a graduate of the Universities of Potchefstroom and Pretoria, is a plant taxonomist by training, with a wide interest in the classification of the rich southern African flora. Among his more popular works are Field Guide to Wild Flowers of the Highveld (1988), Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (1997), A Photographic Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa (2000) and How to Identify Trees in Southern Africa (2007).
Southern Africa is rich in trees, with about 2100 native species, plus several hundred more that have been introduced from other parts of the world. Therefore, identifying specific trees presents a challenge to the professional botanist and layperson alike. When starting out, many tree enthusiasts are disheartened by having to come to grips with such extraordinary diversity. Disappointment sets in when realizing - after several failed attempts at identification - that the acquisition of a tree book is no guarantee for success. Not surprisingly, tree identification is seen by many beginners as a skill that is almost impossible to master. The principal aim of this book is to demystify the subject and to present knowledge that will enable the novice to become competent in tree identification. Instead of responding to the question 'What is that tree?' with a name, this book attempts to answer the more fundamental question 'How do I establish the name of a tree?' Knowing a tree's name is but a small part of what tree identification is all about. In fact, names are not a prerequisite for classification and identification. Far more important is understanding the characters that are used to classify trees. One must, in the first instance, be able to explain what characters distinguish one species from another. Unlike the identification of larger animals, plant identification requires the use of characters that are not always very obvious. We also, at least initially, tend to be constrained in the way we look at trees for identification clues. Getting to grips with the seemingly bewildering range of trees requires a classification framework. Based on shared features due to common descent, plants and animals are classified by biologists into larger units, one of which is the family. Identifying the family to which an unknown organism belongs is one of the first steps towards establishing its species. By knowing the family, many other possible species can be eliminated and the search for a name becomes more directed. It is easier to conceptualize animal families than plant families, because the identifying differences can often be seen in the shape of the whole organism. (Think, for example, of bird families such as doves, parrots, owls or sunbirds.) This, however, is not the case with trees. Tree families are based on less obvious features that involve details of flowers, fruit, anatomy and chemistry. With few exceptions (the palm family is one) it is not possible to recognize a tree family purely from the shape of its trees. To compensate for the limitations posed by family recognition, we offer an alternative, more practical approach. Based on easy-to-observe stem and leaf features, 43 tree groups are recognized. These 'groups-of-convenience' might not be natural entities, as is the case with families, but their advantage lies in the fact that they are much easier to identify than formal botanical families. An additional benefit is that they allow the construction of a simple pictorial representation of the principal characters of each group in the form of an icon. These icons make it considerably easier for beginners to conceptualize the observed tree diversity. As your familiarity with trees increases, you will find it easy to recognize some of the widespread tree families. Identifying an unknown organism, or confirming the identity of a familiar one, is part of the enjoyment of nature. It is also an essential activity, as a name is the key with which all that is known about the organism can be retrieved from the literature or the Internet. It is our hope that this book will further a general understanding of trees and inspire more individuals to take on the challenges of tree identification and, in so doing, increase awareness of the wonderful world of trees. How to Identify Trees in Southern Africa has been prepared to complement the authors' Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa; we strongly recommend that you acquire the latter and use it in conjunction with this book.
PART I: PRINCIPLES OF TREE IDENTIFICATION Trees with unusual features Guide to tree families |