Wow! How long have we been waiting for something like this??? Yep, you almost tremble as you open the pages. If you ever hoped for a tree book that could match Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees & Shrubs, this is it!
In The Tree Book: Superior Selections for Landscapes, Streetscapes, and Gardens
As they say in the introduction, "We Love Trees," and it's evident throughout this comprehensive masterpiece. I hardly know where to begin. In the Cornus florida entry, they note that "a cultivar exists for every garden situation." They add that small seedling trees are inexpensive and ... will reward abundantly... Kudos to a great native!" Dogwood trees are listed by color - white or pink, and/or variegated foliage. There's also a special section on the Rutgers hybrid dogwoods, which have better disease resistance.
As for Juniperus chinensis, the authors say they have "lost their allure" in recent years, but I loved some of the cultivars I didn't know, like the upright 'Star Power', with bluish foliage and good resistance to winter burn in cold climates. I also liked the hardy 'Trautman', 20' tall by 5' wide, with a narrow, tight pyramidal form.
There are more oaks and maples than any of us could name, making this book indispensable for landscape designers and architects as well as tree-loving homeowners. In all, the book contains entries for more than 2400 species and cultivars, and each includes photographs, descriptions, cultural requirements, and landscape use. They also specify whether each tree is suitable as a street tree. Where else would you ever find that information? A 21st century classic, for sure.
Comments