Trees of the Kruger National Park (Volume 1) Author: Piet van Wyk
Trees of the Kruger National Park (Volume 1)
A Monumental, Deluxe Botanical Monograph of the Lowveld's Dendrological Heritage
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Trees of the Kruger National Park (Volume 1)
- Author: Piet van Wyk
- Publisher: Purnell & Sons SA Pty Ltd, Cape Town / Johannesburg
- Publication Date: 1972
- SBN: 360001580
- Edition Details: First Edition, Hardcover Release.
- Binding: Original publisher's deluxe forest-green textured cloth boards, beautifully embellished with brilliant gilt title lettering along the spine and a striking, bright gilt silhouette emblem of a majestic Baobab tree on the front board.
- Physical Format: Large Quarto (4to), 297 pages. Lavishly produced on heavy-grade art paper and enriched with dozens of full-color botanical photographic plates, cross-sectional bark diagrams, distribution maps, and detailed identification charts.
- Language: English (with formal botanical, English, Afrikaans, and Indigenous tree names listed).
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Exterior / Boards: The deluxe forest-green cloth binding is in exceptionally beautiful condition. The bright gilt lettering on the spine and the central gilt Baobab emblem on the front cover are completely unmarred, untarnished, and gleaming. Edges are sharp, flat, and square.
- Interior: The heavy internal text block and brilliant glossy color plates are exceptionally clean, bright, and crisp. Free of text highlighting, nursery notes, dealer markings, or page folds.
- The Dust Jacket: Good (G)
- Condition Detail: The original graphic dust jacket is present and retains its bold vintage design, though it displays typical handling and storage wear along the edges, including small tears and minor scuffing to the corners. Now professionally protected with a brand-new, clear archival plastic cover, which beautifully flattens the jacket, prevents further edge wear, and highlights the book's stunning green and gold boards. [1]
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in 1972 by Purnell, Volume 1 of Piet van Wyk's Trees of the Kruger National Park is widely considered one of the finest achievements in South African botanical publishing. This monumental study was the result of years of field research conducted by the author as the official research biologist for the National Parks Board.
Volume 1 provides an exhaustive, scientific yet accessible guide to the iconic tree species of the Lowveld ecosystem, including detailed assessments of the Baobab, Leadwood, and Marula trees. Each profile features precise details on growth habits, bark, flowers, fruit, wood utility, and ecological importance. Enhanced by magnificent color plates and detailed distribution maps, this first-edition volume is a highly prized treasure for serious collectors of Africana natural history, botany, and South African wildlife literature.
Author Profile: Piet van Wyk
Piet van Wyk was an eminent South African botanist, ecologist, and dedicated conservation official who spent decades documenting the diverse flora of Southern Africa. Working directly within the National Parks Board, his groundbreaking field studies and taxonomic classifications dramatically advanced the ecological management of the Lowveld. His reference works remain essential guides for modern arborists and safari rangers alike, celebrated for blending rigorous academic science with deep practical field knowledge.
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