Can you tell the difference between a pine and an oak tree? What about a white alder and a blue elderberry?
“I’ve written several nonfiction books: Plants of San Luis Obispo, California Plants, and A Californian’s Guide to the Trees among Us,” Cal Poly biology professor Matt Ritter explained. “This most recent guidebook is exclusively focused on the 95 native trees species of California. My co-author is Michael Kauffmann, who also owns the independent publishing company that put out the book.”
Discover California’s Native Trees: A Guide to the Arboreal Wonders of the Golden State was released by Backcountry Press, and according to Kauffman. “Trees are the foundation of our ecosystems and our sense of place. This guide is meant to deepen our connection to California’s landscapes by introducing us to the trees that shape them.”
From the resilient Joshua trees of the Mojave to the ancient redwoods of Northern California, Ritter and Kauffman’s new book tells the story of “place, time, and adaptation.”
“Understanding the trees around us enriches our experience of the world,” Ritter added.
Purchase a copy at backcountrypress.com/book/california-trees. Δ
This article appears in Pride 2025.
