The forests of the Pacific Coast are the tallest and most dense on earth. Even after a century of intensive exploitation, their trees remain umatched in overall size, height, and age. Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast is a guide to the 20 largest species of conifers in North America - from the southern Sierra to Vancouver Island, and from the coast to northwestern Montana.

Giant trees are those with the greatest wood volume. From the Ponderosa Pine "Bear Creek Twin" to the Coast Douglas Fir "Ol' Jed," from Giant Sequoias to Western Redcedars, the trees are depicted here as individuals. All are unique specimens that represent the extremes to which their species can grow. To seek out giants and their neighbouring contenders, Robert Van Pelt has traveled the length and breadth of the Pacific Coast and its forests, equipped with a camera, a sketchpad, and a survey laser, amassing a database of over 5,000 individual trees.

Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast will be of interest to hikers and naturalists as well as to arborists, foresters, and arm-chair explorers.

Robert Van Pelt is a research associate in forest ecology at the University of Washington and Evergreen State College. He began the Washington State Big Tree Program in 1987, when he became the state coordinator for the national program.

Overview of 20 species:
- Color maps showing distribution of species and locations of individual giant trees
- Comparative drawings and measurements of giants
- Color photographs of typical trees and cones
- Discussions of species and comparisons of giants

Individual Profiles of 117 giant trees:
- Line drawings
- Color Photographs
- Measurements
- Descriptions of history, preservation, characteristics, present condition, and locations.

All proceeds from this book go towards basic scientific research on old growth forests and children's ecological education.

Published with University of Washington Press. World rights except for USA January 2002. 224pp.,115 colour illust., 115 line drawings, 22 colour maps, glossary, bibliog., index, LC 2001027171, 8.5" x 11" Paper. Price in Canada: $29.95