Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (2 Volumes) [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

D. M. Van Gelderen (Author), J. R. P. Van Hoey Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0881923540 | ISBN-13: 978-0881923544 | Publication Date: October 1, 1996 | Edition: Upd Sub

This magnificent pictorial encyclopedia includes not only the latest cultivars but also rarities such as Wollemia nobilis, recently discovered in Australia. From towering redwoods photographed in their coastal habitat to recent dwarf varieties so popular in small gardens, conifers are presented in all their astonishing diversity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The best reference work on the subject to appear in recent times."—Ann Lovejoy, Horticulture, February 2000 (Ann Lovejoy Horticulture )

"Serious conifer students, libraries, landscape architects or just plain evergreen lovers will enjoy the hundreds of color photos that make this book a fascinating addition." Dale Langford, Rocky Mountain News, December 27, 1986 (Dale Langford Denver Rocky Mountain News )

"A tantalizing overview of nearly 1,200 evergreens now in cultivation."—Linda Yang, New York Times, October 1, 1986 (Linda Yang The New York Times )

Book Description

From towering redwoods photographed in their coastal habitat to recent dwarf varieties so popular in small gardens, conifers are presented in all their astonishing diversity.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 706 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press; Upd Sub edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881923540
• ISBN-13: 978-0881923544
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,160,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conifers : The Illustrated Encyclopedia (Two Volume Set), July 1, 2000

By 

Dea Draper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (2 Volumes) (Hardcover)

Two world authorities compiled this outstanding conifer book featuring 2347 excellent, sharp photos reproduced beautifully on high quality paper. Each picture was taken at the proper distance to show the tree's outstanding detail. Captions are a sentence or two with location often included. For detail use a good companion book such as the Manual of Cultivated Conifers by Krussmann. Imperative for landscapers and a joy for tree lovers -- a bargain at the cover price. A quality book clearly at the top of my list of favorites.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique collection of photographs of conifer cultivars, April 17, 1998

By 

Ronald M.Lanner ([e-mail]) (Logan, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (2 Volumes) (Hardcover)

This book is primarily intended as a catalog of, and identification tool for, the great many conifer cultivars that have found their way into the horticultural trade. Secondarily it conveys information on the locales, classification, and other commercial values of the wild species from which the cultivars have been selected. The objectives are achieved mainly through the medium of color photos, black/white cone sketches, and informative picture captions. Basic information on genera, including numerous new "split-offs" from unnamed sources, occupy thirty pages of Volume 1. As a photographic catalog of more than 2,000 cultivars, many of them never before illustrated for the public, these volumes are incomparable. The photos, many of them close-ups, clearly show the cultivars' distinctive characteristics, mainly in garden and arboretum settings. This is the great strength of these volumes. As a general conifer reference, the work falls somewhat short of that peak. As is true of all cases where European authors have tried to embrace American trees in their grasp, an unfamiliarity with geography and the species has led to numerous small errors. Thus we learn (incorrectly) that Shasta fir grows on the West Coast, and noble fir in Yosemite. Monterey pine cones are labeled as Torrey pine. Sketches purported to be of Jeffrey, Korean (stone), and sugar pines are not. Etcetera. But these minor problems are more than compensated for by the wonderful habitat photos of rare things like Welwitschias near Walvis Bay, Dacrydiums in Fiji, wild-type Mediterranean cypresses in Turkey, and the new Wollemia pines of Australia. And among the 2,574 photos are two showing the root parasite Parasitaxus ustus on its New Caledonian host Falcatifolium taxoides, red foliage and all. For these reasons and others, this 2-volume set should be on every conifer enthusiast's bookshelf.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing compares, December 17, 2001

By 

KJL (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (2 Volumes) (Hardcover)

I own and operate a nursery using both of these books as a primary resource when purchasing conifers from growers. When customers refer to these books at our library, they comment on how beautiful the many conifers are available. My only wish the book had w/b zone hardiness and growth habit. Buy it. ProGardens, Inc. East Amherst, New York.