FOREWORD 
Sometime ago the editor of one of the larger of 
the country papers of California wrote: “If you or 
some one else in the Forest Service would only write 
up simple descriptions of our California trees, in 
such language that the piain man could understand 
them, I believe every country paper-——and some city 
ones—would be glad to print them.” 
That recalls an incident of years ago. As a train 
waited on a siding in the Coast Range two boys who 
were gazing delightedly out upon giant Redwoods 
asked their father: “Dad, what kind of trees are 
they?” 
The father glanced up from his newspaper and 
said: “Pines, I guess.” 
So the lads called them pines until a brakeman, 
hearing them, grunted: “ Them’s redwoods.” 
Misinformation is even worse than ignorance. It 
is hoped that our traveling friends who visit Cali- 
fornia, as well as the residents throughout the State, 
will find this booklet helpful in giving them reliable 
information about some of California’s principal 
trees. 
CHARLES H. SHINN. 
Charles Howard Shinn, former forest supervisor 
of the Sierra National Forest and the author of this 
publication, died in 1924. He was one of the pioneer 
foresters of California and served for more than 20 
years as an Officer of the California Region, United 
States Forest. Service.” Let's -Know - Som@q i rces. 
written in Mr. Shinn’s unique style for those who 
wish to know something of the trees of California, 
has filled a large place in the forest literature of 
the State. 
Issued January, 1925 
VOGT SE Lo oe Revised December, 1931 
