Dominant throughout the temperate northern hemisphere, conifers form the backbone of boreal ecosystems. This comprehensive reference work explains the complex life cycles of these trees.

Based on more than five decades of study, Graham R. Powell provides an illustrated, guided tour of conifers from seed and reproduction to old age and death. Focusing on the most common species, Powell offers a clear picture of conifers—a type of tree that plays a vital role in various environmental systems and upon which humankind relies for its lifestyle. The engaging text is peppered throughout with interesting facts and comparative data about well- and lesser-known species.

The Lives of Conifers features hundreds of full-color illustrations and expansive morphological, anatomical, and physiological information about the evergreens. The book includes a glossary of terms and a detailed bibliography for further study.

Graham R.Powell
earned his B.Sc. in Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, his MSc.in Forest Ecology at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton,and his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh.Professor Powell taught at the University of New Brunswick for 34 years,10 of those as the school's Director of Graduate Studies. In 1997, he was appointed Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management at the university.

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"This volume is a must read for anyone interested in exploring or teaching about the lives of conifers."

Quarterly Review of Biology

"Well edited, well indexed, clearly written, illustrated with 685 color images, this book is a must for anyone dealing with trees of the northeastern United States and Canada and will be a valuable supplement in forestry and botany courses."

Economic Botany

"The large-format book is packed with excellent color photographs and diagrams... admirable but quite specialized."