Trees of the World (Volume. I)

Trees are the largest and the most useful group in the plant kingdom. Some living for centuries. Plants particularly the trees, are the greatest contributors in sustaining life on Earth by providing enormous useful materials and creating a better environment. The maladies caused by ruthless destruction of tress and forests, especially in the tropical regions of the world are being considered as a major global threat to the existence of plant and animal life in general and human civilization, in particular. In the context of the present state of awareness on the importance of plants and tress for a better environment of plants and tress for a better environment to live and survive, it was felt that the interest on tress will be confined to a narrow limit unless adequate knowledge and guidance on these friends of life and civilization are provided widely through relevant literature. Thousands of tree species exist in the world; the number being higher in the tropical regions compared to the temperate zones. The proposed publication deals with important morphological characters, distribution, growth, flowering and uses of more than 1440 species of indigenous and exotic tropical and subtropical trees in 587 genera, found in different parts of the India and each species is illustrated in colour for the purpose of identification. Chapters on ‘Characteristics of the trees and Phytogeography of tree families’ will provide interesting scientific information. Since colour illustrations and relevant information on hundreds of tree species introduced to India from Australia, China, Europe, Indonesia, Malagasy, Malaysia, Mediterranean region, Myanmar, tropical Africa, tropical America, West Indies and other countries have been included in this publication, apart from the indigenous ones, the title of the book is considered relevant and appropriate. The publication, in 532 pages and about 1600 colour illustrations, will serve as a guide to the botanists, foresters, environmentalists, horticulturists, landscape designers and others who are interested in nature and environment in all parts of the world.