Trees of the West: An Artist’s Guide

For those who feel a spiritual uplift and perceive atmospheric music when hiking in a forest environment, they will find this to be a book that brings to mind the magic that a woodland provides. Filled with visual and scripted records of the trees in several northwest biogeographical regions, artist and writer Molly Hashimoto looks at the native trees of eight different areas, from the northern coastal forests, redwood forests, woodlands, rocky mountain and sequoia groves down to desert habitats with her remarkable descriptions of the elegant structures and their surroundings.

Filled with her entrancing watercolors that delight the eye, the text describes the history of the trees and their place in the ecosystem. The stories surrounding the trees, such as the sugar pine, Douglas fir, larches, cottonwoods, aspens, Joshua trees, and so many more, are illustrated by her etchings, wood block prints, pencil sketches, and charming watercolors that brighten the text. Further enriching the narrative are nature quotes from literature and brief sketches of current forest scientists. For those interested in technique, there are short segments briefly covering the water color and print blocking procedures and the materials used.

The author’s love of trees will infect and embrace the reader.