Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Michael A. Dirr (Author)

Book Description

Series: Illustrated Encyclopedia | Publication Date: October 1, 1997

This bestselling encyclopedia, illustrated with brilliant photographs, describes the best woody plants adapted to cooler climates, showing both habit and details of more than 500 species, and including some 700 additional cultivars and varieties. Brief cultural information is supplied for each plant, as well as Dirr's perceptive comments and opinions.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A first-class source on the very best garden trees and shrubs. Excellent color photos accompany the well-written plant descriptions, which point out both the positive and negative attributes of each plant, including physical features, hardiness, disease resistance, and growth preferences. A multitude of cross-referenced indexes will help readers find the right plant for each location and desired effect. (LJ 11/15/97)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Michael Dirr is the acknowledged authority on American trees and shrubs. His book ... is a valuable reference."—Garden Design, September 2003 (Garden Design )

"Though my shelves sag under the weight of books about trees and shrubs, there's still space for a pictoral encyclopedia that does the subject justice."—Sunset, February 2000 (Sunset )

"A first-class source on the very best garden trees and shrubs."— Library Journal, December 1, 1999 (12/1/1999 Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 494 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881924040
• ISBN-13: 978-0881924046
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Gardening

More About the Author

Michael A. Dirr is a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia. He is the author of twelve books, including Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia and the text and reference book, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, and has published more than 300 scientific and popular papers and articles. His teaching, lectures, seminars, garden study tours, and plant introduction programs have contributed enormously to greater horticultural awareness. He has received the highest teaching and gardening awards from the University of Georgia, American Society of Horticultural Science, American Horticultural Society, American Nursery & Landscape Association, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Southern Nursery Association, and Garden Club of America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

174 of 175 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God for Michael Dirr, April 16, 2002

By 

Graham Henderson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This is possibly the most useful book on trees for the non-specialist in existence (though any arborist or landscape designer worth their salt should, and probably does, have it). Here's why.

Alone among books on trees, Dirr provides not only descriptions of the trees, but he offers landscaping assessments. And he is not faint of heart. If he doesn't like a tree, he'll tell you. For example, of the Poplar, he famously wrote, "I have never recommended a Poplar to anyone, at least while conscious." Of the Common Ninebark he comments, "an extremely adaptable plant, perhaps even to nuclear attacks, and once established, requires a bulldozer for removal."

But it is when Dirr waxes lyrical about a tree that he loves that he achieves his apotheosis. He introduces one tree with this simple sentence: "I love this tree." He describes a beech forest as "one of the most awe inspiring sight in nature." The Silver Linden is the "Beauty Queen" among Lindens. Of the Maackii Amurensis he writes, "Unheralded and unknown, except in the gardens of the fortunate few."

Based on THAT comment, and the pictures of this extraordinary tree, I set out to find one. It took some doing. Now I have an allee of them that was planted 5 years ago. Every time I stroll past them, I thank god for Michael Dirr.

I also discovered the Metasequoia Glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood) here. If anyone reading this can lay their hands on this tree and has room for it - GET IT.

Among other extremely useful features are the tree lists included in the back. He has listed trees by size, fruit, flower - you name it. The index lists trees both by their botanical name and their common name.

I can not begin to tell you how useful his evaluations are. I have a farm -- 150 acres. And bit by bit I am filling it with trees -- with Dirr's help. Without him I would be lost.

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Photos, June 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

I love to design with plants. If I don't know a particular plant, this photographic reference is very helpful. This book is full of great information but there is not room for photos of all the different cultivars and the characteristics of the same. I prefer to use this book as a secondary reference to Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. The Manual lists most all the cultivars available and the growing characteristics of each, but no color photos (at least not in the 4th edition). The Illustrated Encyclopedia has wonderful photos but not enough plant info.

To someone experienced with woody plants, this picture book is just not enough info to really know what to expect from a plant. Get it, but also have the Manual alongside.

114 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pictoral & literary masterpiece re: trees and shrubs, July 2, 1999

By 

Dan Hooper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

The book is invaluable to the experienced nurseryperson and is also extraordinarily interesting to the home gardener.

As a landscape designer, I could not exist without it as a reference. It's written (and photographed) by someone who's "been there, seen that" in heartfelt, knowledge-packed language.

I would suggest two changes to the author and publisher: If the "critical data/information"--zones, maturity height, etc.--were treated in smaller type (i.e., set off from the editorial text), there would be more space for Dirr's wonderful insights on each plant. Also, since I'm fairly new at Latin terminology, a phonetic descriptor for each of the Latin names, small and underneath each, would be very helpful.

This book could easily be priced (higher), and I bet it would sell just as many. I'd still buy it.