Customer Reviews

Trees for the Small Garden

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With 177 pages, "Trees for the Small Garden" tries to narrow the choice of garden trees to a reasonable number from which a homeowner may choose without becoming either overwhelmed or a horticultural expert. [For a more comprehensive list check out "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs" by Michael Dirr.]

Featured cultivars are said to be easily attainable at local nurseries and other plant suppliers.

Text descriptions include size (most of the specimens grow to a height of less than 33 feet, with many considerably smaller), hardiness, climate and soil specifications, pests and diseases, invasiveness and toxicity (of concern for those of us who like children and pets.) In addition there is something described as `aspect' by which I understand the author to mean environmental preference such as whether the plant likes to be sheltered.

There is a section on "Finding and Selecting Trees" and, of course, one on how to plant trees. All of these introductory discourses are then followed by the "Directory of Trees" itself. Each plant has 2 pages of photos. These lovely pictures show, when appropriate, features of the tree, such as what it looks like in bloom, or in winter. If the bark is of interest this also will be depicted so that there is no doubt what your tree will look like.

Each tree also has a "factfinder" block of data which states maximum height, hardiness, aspect, soil type, soil pH, and country of origin.

At the end of the book is a "Tree Selector" chart which lists each tree again with the following data:

Tolerance of ...
-- heavy clay soils
-- alkaline soils
-- poorly draining soils
-- dry soil
-- salt spray
-- exposure
-- extreme cold

Also whether the tree is evergreen, compact, flowered (in season), has foliage of interest, interesting fall color, attractive bark and winter interest.

Nicely done, this manageably sized book is a good guide for the homeuser. The only drawback I found (for me at least) in this and in nearly every other every tree and shrub tomb, is that the authors ONLY refer to plants by their Latin names. Unlike some books, however, this one at least allows you to look up the common names in the index so that one does not need to know that a Black Locust is scientifically known as `Robinia pseudoacacia'.

I am really impressed with this book on small trees. As a landscape designer, I look for horticultural books that present the information in a clear and simple way, but don't dumb it down in the process, and this book wins on both counts. The information is of a professional caliber, but would also be accessible to anyone with a basic hobbyist's/ homeowner's knowledge of horticultural terms.

The book is arranged alphabetically by botanical name (with the common name printed in bold below the botanical name), and each page or set of two pages features a different plant. Nearly every page in the book has either one full-page color photo or a series of close-up photos showing the special features of each plant, so you can really see what the habit, foliage, and flowers/ fruits look like.

Each page of text has a box with the plant's basic information such as height, hardiness, soil preferences, and light needs, so it is easy to narrow down your search quickly. The text on each page goes into fuller detail about the plant's uses and preferences, the different cultivars available and the benefits and drawbacks of each. The text amasses a wealth of information that is hard to figure out by experience and that often isn't readily available, so I am finding it an exceptionally valuable reference. The author chose plants that are easy to find at the nursery, but aren't so common that you will end up planting the same tree that all of your neighbors have.

The numerous, clear, full-color photos are also wonderful. I am finding that this is a book that I take with me on consultations to show people my favorite trees, because I haven't found any other book which has such great pictures of the mature specimens.

If you are trying to find a plant with a certain attribute, the author has a tree selector in the back, which has charts of plants separated by certain characteristics, like attractive flowers, attractive fruits or cones, foliage interest, fall color, attractive bark, and winter interest. The charts can help you compare plants with those attributes, to find out, say, which trees with attractive flowers will also tolerate heavy soils and have fall color. Then you can narrow it down further to find which of those plants bloom in the spring.

Overall, this is an excellent reference and well-worth the money. Between the easily navigated charts, the thorough and easy-to-understand text, and the gorgeous photos, this has become my favorite reference book when looking up a tree.

This book contains everything you need in selecting trees for a small garden area. Most of the book is dedicated to the directory of over 65 trees/varieties. It has multiple color photos for each tree, one of a mature specimen in a garden scene and then others of interesting aspects of that tree, such as bark, foliage, flowers, fruit, etc. Also with each tree is a table of the basic information about the tree - soil type, temperature, hardiness and potential problems or weaknesses.

Another point of interest here is the background and history of each tree, including the country of origen.

I found the tables in the back of the book to be quite useful, identifying trees with interesting flowers, foliage, winter interest, bark, etc. A map of hardiness zones for North Americn and Europe is the inside back cover. There is also a list of books for further reading.

I really like this book.

By focusing on the smaller trees that can add so much to the garden of the average home owner, this book has filled a niche that has long existed. The information is quite good, and I especially liked the photography. I have used it several times in the few weeks I have had it, and it was always a great help. Along with Michael Dirr's books on trees, this volumn has a reserved place on my "top shelf."

fantastic book, which has abundant illustrations.
Just the right amount of information on each tree, with a handy little "fact finder" box with a few important facts.
Pictures of the whole tree as well as close ups of foliage, fruit, flowers etc.
Essential for anyone planning a garden.

This book really tells one nothing that cannot be easily gleaned from any number of truly fine books on woody plants (can anyone spell "Dirr", after whom the purchase of this book is nearly pointless). I bought this book hoping it would be a fine, narrowly focused tome. But it tells me nothing I did not already know, and suggested nothing that I had not already been made aware of by other truly splendid books. Do not waste your money.