Ronald Lanner's Tree World

The Bristlecone Book: A Natural History of the World's Oldest Trees
The Bristlecone Book brings together for the first time the captivating facts about the Rocky Mountain and Great Basin bristlecone pines and foxtail pine, members of the white pine group that are emblematic of the western American high country. The approach taken is to present factual material that is scientifically accurate and current, without resorting to overly technical exposition. Much of the information -- and some theorizing -- on tree longevity and what affects it stems from field and laboratory research by the author and one of his former students.

CONIFERS OF CALIFORNIA
Conifers of California is the first book entirely devoted to the Golden State's richly diverse coniferous flora. Lavishly illustrated, it features a text that is scientifically accurate and accessible to all. Each species' narrative is accompanied by a full-page botanical illustration,photographs, detailed identification information, and a range map.

Made For Each Other: A Symbiosis of Birds and Pines
Made For Each Other details for the first time the fascinating relationship between wingless-seeded pine trees and seed-dispersing Corvids (Nutcrackers and Jays), showing how mutualism can drive not only each others' evolution, but affect the ecology of many other members of the surrounding ecosystem as well. Focusing on the Rocky Mountains and the American Southwest, and ranging as far afield as the Alps, Finland, Siberia, and China, this beautifully illustrated and gracefully written work illuminates the phenomenon of co-evolution.

Autumn Leaves -- A Guide to the Fall Colors of the Northwoods
The beautiful hardwood forest of the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada is generally acknowledged to put on one of the world's most stunning annual displays of fall colors. It is also home to perhaps ninety million people. Yet, until this book appeared, there was no color-illustrated guide to the trees that make all that possible. Finally, here is a scientifically accurate, clearly written account of the natural history of some of America's most distinctive trees.

Trees of The Great Basin -- A Natural History
Winner of the Award of Merit at the Western Books Exhibition sponsored by the Rounce and Coffin Club of Los Angeles, 1985, Trees of The Great Basin highlights the native silva of arid Utah, Nevada, and surrounding regions. As with all the books described on this site, it features scientifically accurate text,and engaging writing accessible to all who like to read. Each species is represented by an original sketch of great distinction; and there are over 50 color photos by regional photographers.

The Pinon Pine -- A Natural and Cultural History, with a section on pine-nut cookery by Harriette Lanner
While most other pines were evolving into tall forest trees that carry their crowns far above the general canopy, a unique group of species was evolving in Mexico and the American Southwest. These "pinon" or pinyon pines have become adapted to aridity. They form stands where rainfall may not exceed 15 inches, in company with junipers and drought-resistant shrubs. They produce in their rounded crowns large nutritious "pine-nuts", rich in fat and protein, a great boon to the birds and mammals of their woodlands, and the nations of Homo sapiens that have settled in their shade. This book details the pinon pines' relationships with each other, as well as with insects, bird dispersers, mammals, Native Americans, Spaniards and other settlers, silver miners, and cattlemen. Not all have been as kind and giving as the pinons have been -- in these pages we see why.