California Trees
Explores the majestic and diverse world of California’s largest organisms. It is a comprehensive guide celebrating the beauty and ecological significance of the state’s 95 native species. Trees of California takes readers on a journey through the state’s varied landscapes, showcasing the remarkable diversity of its arboreal inhabitants.
The Klamath Mountains: A Natural History
The Klamath Mountains: A Natural History, edited by Michael Kauffmann and Justin Garwood, was chosen as the Gold Medal winner for Contribution to Publishing at the 92nd Annual California Book Awards by the Commonwealth Club
California Desert Plants
- Over 400 color photographs of plants and landscapes
- Descriptions and photos of dominant plant species
- Overview of plant adaptations to desert environments
- Discussion of major desert habitats
Conifer Country
Conifer Country is an innovative natural history and hiking guide that uses conifers as a lens to explore the astounding plant diversity in the Klamath Mountains.
Conifers of the Pacific Slope
A contemporary field guide built to assist plant lovers in identifying one of the most intriguing and ancient groups of plants in the world. Conifers survive within the West’s most spectacular environments—from the coastal temperate rainforests to the highest mountain summits.
Field Guide to Manzanitas
Manzanita’s center of biodiversity is in California, where they are the “rock stars” of woody shrub diversity. A wealth of manzanita species and subspecies are found in an astonishing array of environments.
Select Publications:
- Ritter, Matt and Michael Kauffmann. 2025. California Trees. Backcountry Press. Kneeland, California.
- Kauffmann, Michael E., Justin Garwood (editors). 2022. The Klamath Mountains: A Natural History. Backcountry Press. Kneeland, California.
- Kauffmann, Michael E., T. Parker, M.l Vasey, J. Bisbee. 2021. Field Guide to Manzanitas, Second Edition. Backcountry Press. Kneeland, California.
- California Native Plant Society Vegetation Program (M. Kauffmann, K.G. Sikes, J. Buck-Diaz, J. Jackson, R. Floreani-Buzbee, and J. Evens). 2019 (revised 2021). Conservation Assessment for Pinus albicaulis (Whitebark Pine) for National Forest Lands in California, with Management Considerations. 131 pages.
- Kauffmann, M., J. Ratchford, J. Evens, K. Lindke, J. Barnes. 2017. Angeles National Forest: Bigcone Douglas-fir Mapping and Monitoring Report. Unpublished report. California Native Plant Society Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
- Kauffmann, Michael E., T. Parker, M.l Vasey, J. Bisbee. 2015. Field Guide to Manzanitas. Backcountry Press. Kneeland, California.
- Kauffmann, M.E., S. Taylor, K. Sikes, and J. Evens. 2014 (updated 2018). Klamath, Shasta-Trinity, Lassen and Modoc National Forest: Whitebark Pine Pilot Fieldwork Reports. Unpublished reports. California Native Plant Society Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
- Taylor, S., K. Sikes, M. Kauffmann and J. Evens. 2014 (updated 2018). Eldorado, Sequoia, and Stanislaus National Forest: Whitebark Pine Pilot Fieldwork Reports. Unpublished reports. California Native Plant Society Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
- Kauffmann, M. 2014. Whitebark Pine Forest Health in California: a guide to common pathogens. Unpublished report. California Native Plant Society Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
- Kauffmann, Michael. 2013. Conifers of the Pacific Slope. Backcountry Press. Kneeland, California.
- Kauffmann, Michael. 2012. Conifer Country. Backcountry Press. Kneeland, California.
- Adams, R. P. R. Lanner, M. Kauffmann and D. Thornburg. 2011. “Taxonomy of infraspecific taxa of Abies concolor: Leaf essential oils of Abies concolor, var. concolor and var. lowiana” Phytologia 93(2): 208-220. (PDF)
- Adams, R. P., R. Lanner, M. Kauffmann and D. Thornburg. 2011. ” Taxonomy of infraspecific taxa of Abies concolor based on DNA sequences from nrDNA and four chloroplast regions.” Phytologia 93(2): 221-230. (PDF)
- Adams, R. P. and M. E. Kaufmann. 2010.” Geographic variation in the leaf essential oils of Juniperus grandis and comparison with J. occidentalis and J. osteosperma.” Phytologia 92(2):167-185. (PDF)
- Adams, R. P. and M. E. Kauffmann. 2010. “Geographic variation in nrDNA and cp DNA of Juniperus californica, J. grandis, J. occidentalis and J. osteosperma (Cupressaceae).” Phytologia 92(2):266-276. (PDF)
