The Magnificent Mesquite (Corrie Herring Hooks Series Number Forty-five)

About this book

"This book is one-of-a-kind. It is the only book that Im aware of that summarizes the biology ecology uses and management of mesquite.... It is the most complete book in print on mesquite." ?C. Wayne Hanselka Associate Department Head and Extension Program Leader for Rangeland Ecology and Management Texas Agricultural Extension Service A reliable source of food and shelter even in the severest droughts the mesquite tree sustained American Indians in the Southwest for centuries. Today mesquite is popular for barbecuing woodworking furniture making flooring sculpture jewelry and food products ranging from honey to jelly and syrup. Even ranchers who once fought to eradicate mesquite have come to value its multiple uses on well-managed rangeland. In this book written especially for a general readership one of the worlds leading authorities on mesquite presents a wealth of information about its natural history and commercial agricultural and woodworking uses. Ken Rogers describes the life cycle species and wide distribution of the mesquite which is native or naturalized not only in the Southwest and Mexico but also in India Africa Australia South America and Hawaii. He discusses the many consumer and woodworker uses of mesquite at length-even giving instructions for laying a mesquite wood floor and making mesquite bean jelly. He also looks into the ways that people are using mesquite in nature from rangeland management in the Southwest to desertification prevention in arid countries.