Writing a book on native trees and shrubs, penny for your thoughts?

So im writing a book on the native trees and shrubs of north america and im going all out to find as many trees and shrubs as i can, its in alphabetical order by common name and lists multiple native species, not just the genus plant. So, i wanted to know what people thought about it, the first volume is how to identify the plant and its characteristics, the second volume is how to gather, grow and use the plant and lists the poisonous and edible properties and how to prepare and all the juicy information! Theres a photo of the 1st 2 pages of volume 1, thanks for any comments and sparing a minute for a free lance author.

Wow, that's awesome. I've dreamt of doing something like that, but don't think I'll ever get to it.
I think drawings and/ or pictures really help people trying to learn plants. I would include images of leaves, bark, twigs (bud and leaf scar), flowers, and seed.

I don't think I would break it down alphabetically because it's hard for people to find a plant they know nothing about. I would consider categorizing plants by the environment their in, for example trees that grow in wet areas, or mature woods, or disturbed sites, etc.

I think you will learn a ton doing this project, and I hope to see your book someday.

Exactly, ive memorized the arborvitae by doing this, thank you for your advice, ive actually taken tons of this into account and thought up solutions (and problems to), the reason there arent any pictures is because i can only really spare 2 pages (technically 1 page when using both sides) not to mention im a kinda bad drawer when it comes to trying not to mess up, thats why i included a lot of details in writing. I thought about leaf and bud scars but ive dismissed it because im not able to find the leaf scar, i mean, i dont live near some of these plants and i cant find the scars on the internet or in books :/. Also after the 2 first pages, i added the roots onto the 3rd page (by the way ive completed that page just today)

Thats a very good point about not being able to find a certain plant because someone doesnt know the name, and i have thought up a solution. When ive completed the series, im going to number the pages, then ill insert an index at the back, it will refer to leaf types (compound pinnate palmate the shape, that sorta thing), flowers, family, habitat and distribution, so yah you get the deal, thanks for the comments!

Oh and there are pictures of the leaves and flowers, thats the stuff i drew. Im glad other people are interested in this stuff, sorry that the images got glitchy and only showed one of the pages, i originally put two different pages on there.

Theres so much you have to take into account for this stuff, and not to mention how little people know about our own native plants, its so frustrating, ive gone to bed with a splitting headache on multiple occasions because of it.

Haha, anyways, thank you very much, and happy valentines day! (If its even valentines for you, depending on where you live . The attachments should be fixed now so you can see page 1)

This is awesome - more power to you. I love hickories, tilias, mulberries, native persimmons, beautyberries...

Too many wonderful plants to name.

I was feeling very ambitious and started something similar with a survival crop comic book. Getting time to draw and finish it has been hard, though - I keep finding more plants to include.

Here's a page:

When you publish, BTW, I'll be your first buyer. Keep us posted and drop me an e-mail on my site - I'll link to you.

David Goodman wrote:This is awesome - more power to you. I love hickories, tilias, mulberries, native persimmons, beautyberries...

Too many wonderful plants to name.

I was feeling very ambitious and started something similar with a survival crop comic book. Getting time to draw and finish it has been hard, though - I keep finding more plants to include.

Here's a page:

WOW - that would make an AWESOME kickstarter project!!

Thanks, Jennifer. I hadn't thought of that... good idea!

David Goodman wrote:This is awesome - more power to you. I love hickories, tilias, mulberries, native persimmons, beautyberries...

Too many wonderful plants to name.

I was feeling very ambitious and started something similar with a survival crop comic book. Getting time to draw and finish it has been hard, though - I keep finding more plants to include.

Here's a page:

WOW! Thats awesome! You surpass my drawings! Ill make sure to save this for when i start on my 2nd book series on herbaceous plants, im not sure if its publish material but thank you very much!

Been researching acacia angustissima's uses all day, im graciously thankful that it's more researched then the last two acacias. Its amazing how little we know about plants these days!

Just gonna put this out there, libraries are great places to buy gardening books (and books in general) on the cheap, i got 10 books for 20$ and they've been a great help in my research! (Picture below)

Also, im getting a lot better at drawing lately so thats always good, i drew this yesterday for valentines.

You guys make me envious with your drawing abilities!

Jennifer Wadsworth wrote:You guys make me envious with your drawing abilities!

Dont be, i only just got good, like, yesterday

Heh. If I got that Valentine, I'd be happy.

David Goodman wrote:When you publish, BTW, I'll be your first buyer. Keep us posted and drop me an e-mail on my site - I'll link to you.

Btw, thanks for posting, it gave me some inspiration, ive decided that the books im currently working on will be drafts and noted, that way when im older i can compile it all and get all artistic with the drawings. I probably will have the final version published now.

Email me, I'll send you a detailed listing for the SE.

Delilah Gill wrote:Email me, I'll send you a detailed listing for the SE.

Sorry i didnt reply, ive beem really busy, and detailed listing? Whats the SE? Sorry, i dont understand, please explain.

This looks like a good place to plug my thread on Bald Cypress trees.

By the way, now is a good time to get your very own bald cypress nursery started. Send me a PM with your address, and I can send you stratified seed, all ready to plant, and you too can have something to plant in that perennially wet spot that seems to drown everything your have tried so far.