Plants and Trees Books

This is a helpful guide. We take it with us hiking in the Northwest and since it is laminated it works well in the drizzle we often have here.

This is just a laminated square foot of paper, so don't expect too much, but it's a great way to identify conifers in the field. I use a full field guide for detailed information about whatever I've found, but this is a great little thing to bring on hikes, because it barely weighs a thing. It's very detailed, and makes it a breeze to identify any NW conifer. Highly recommended for pure identification of trees (although minimal information beside identification tips, range, etc).

This is an excellent guide to the conifers of the PNW. It is complete, unlike some of the other cards available which show a subset of the PNW's conifers. The format is well-thought out: excellent photos of needles and cones with highlighted descriptions of unique identifying features. It comes as a laminated tri-fold. I used the card on a hike down the CDT last summer, and found it most helpful.

This slim volume is fascinating, easy to read and beautifully illustrated. While it is not a thorough scientific treaty on the subject and doesn't provide information on the locations of ALL old growth (something I kind of expected from the title) it is nevertheless an exquisite introduction.
Having contacted Larry Eifert about the book I have to also say that he and wife Nancy are extremely friendly and helpful, not only pointing me in the direction of other information and advising on the best places to visit but also sending me further of his works gratis! In particular, a wonderful little chart describing the creatures and plants of the Redwoods which was the perfect suppliment to the Field Guide.

Larry Eifert assumes that only Portlanders and Seattleites will be reading his book. This book only mentions the old growth forests closest to Seattle. It fails to mention any old growth locations North of Mt. Rainier. If you live in Bellingham you would find this book close to useless. Although Washington has more old growth locations, he seems to cover the old growth sites in Oregon with more depth. Keep searching, you'll find a better book.

Field Guide to Old Growth Forests isn't a scientific treatise on old growth forests, but a guide to accessing and appreciating them, blending a science guide with a travel handbook. A review of the natural history of old growth forests blends with the author's pen and ink drawings and tips on where to find the remaining old growth forests.

Narrows down to the crabapple, and does a nice job of it. Found it very readable for a deep look intothis fruit. For a wider view might suggest Story of the Apple (Juniper).

If you love beautiful Spring color and have lots of room to try lots of flowering trees this book is a must. From a Horticultural point of view I have never seen anything like it. It provides brilliant photos and great detailed information on more Crabapple varieties than I ever knew were out there. In making selections for our campus properties I use Fr. Fiala's disease notations and make marginal references in my wholesale tree catalogues to improve our selection for climate adaptability as well as disease resistance. If you live in colder areas of the country and deal much with plant specification for 'park type' landscape this book is a must.

This book sorts out the very confusing nomenclature of crabapples and explains all there is to know about the origin of the noumerus cultivars (among other things). It is an outstanding refrence for anyone with an interest in crabapples. The only thing I was a bit disapointed with is that it doesn't have much information regarding hardyness. I really recomend this book for anyone with an interest in crabapples.

Physically the book is attractive with nice layout, color photographs, calendar paper, and sewn binding. Timber Press usually does well in this regard. It'll make for an interesting winter-time diversion. It brings to mind another Timber Press book, "Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden" by Lee Reich. Both books seem to target the backyard orchard enthusiast. "Fruit & Nuts" is much more encyclopedic in organization, style and number of fruits covered (i.e. many tropical/subtropical entries). Mr. Reich's book focuses on a few, less-common fruits that can be grown in temperate areas, so his would be the better choice for the average enthusiast in most areas of the U.S.

Weaknesses with "Fruit & Nuts": Minor ones: wish Fahrenheit instead of Celsius had been used for the North American edition - I find having to do the converting to be annoying; and the cultivar lists for each entry are short and underdeveloped. More serious are several errors (both of omission and commission) I saw in the Ficus carica entry (a tree that I'm fairly well acquainted with). I won't enumerate them here, but makes me wonder if just as many errors were made with the fruits that I'm not so familiar with.

This product is everything it advertises to be and more, simply a must have for any fruit enthusiast. The book is very reader friendly and is filled with an enormous amount of information regarding the nature, use, and the benefits of more than 300 plants. Another wonderful feature of it is the amount of high quality photographs used to facilitate the flow of information seamlessly, so that nothing is left to uncertainty. A person would be hard pressed to procure the kind of knowledge provided by this book elsewhere. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is even remotely interested by exotic fruits.

I'm into all kinds exotic fruits. This book is actually one of my favorite reference books. It describes 300 or so fruits in plain language yet comprehensive. Scientific names, cultivars, and common names are listed making this book very useful. Each plant article divided into separate sections with heading, which makes it easy to find the information. Food, health and other uses are highlighted. The book provides very important info regarding hardiness (not easy to find this info everywhere and this is important when deciding what to grow), growing conditions, sun/shade, water requirements, etc. Many high-quality photos. Will definitely recommend this book as exotic fruit reference.

Has a lot of good information. I recomend it to anyone starting out.

The American Indians had no SuperWalmart to run an buy some ibuprofan or aspirin at 10 o'clock at night. Oh, the pain, what would the do??? Why not chew on the bark of a white willow tree! This is a good book detailing over one hundred herbs commonly used by the American Indians for a variety of treatments. The book details the treatment, gives methods of application and a drawing. Would be better (but more expensive) with color pictures. Helpful to a degree, limited without enough scientific information for my own needs.

This book is a great handbook of many Native American Herbs available to the public some of which can be found in an ordinary supermarket. However, if you truly believe in holistic healing amd homeopathic medicines like I do, you would be better off goiing to the source or to your health store. Some vitamins and herbs need to be taken on a daily basis so you can get the maximum results.
It explains the different medicininal uses, their origins, and the history behind it. A very informative book, and a must for those interested in holistic medicines.

I like this book, but don't love it. I would have liked to have more information on an extended variety of Hydrangeas. However, not knowing the species names maybe I misunderstood. It is useful in how to care for, plant, and choose the right plant. I would recommend it for a Hydrangea lover.

This is the best book on hydrangeas in print today. Only one other (Hydrangeas, by Millet) even comes close. Because this book is so well organized, it is extemely easy to learning all about hydrangeas - their botanical structure, the different species and how they grow. One can immediately see the differences between hydrangeas - how large they will get, how large their blooms will be, what colors they might become, and the shape of the bloom. The illustrations are beautiful and leave one dreaming of a garden full of these beauties.

This is the most comprehensive source of information on hydrangeas that I have ever seen. There is detailed advice on every aspect of growing hydrangeas, including soil preparation, watering, and the effects of color in hydrangeas due to soil content. Generous illustrations show the different types of leaves on the various types of hydrangeas. The most valuable part of the book is a section devoting a full page to specific varieties and shows a photo, characteristics in chart format and a detailed narrative description. This book is well worth the price!

I have had people that have commented they have searched for years for a book like this about pomegranates. One reader comments "began reading, and could not put it down until finished. - It clearly addresses the full spectrum of growing and using pomegranates." J.H. A noted Los Angles garden writer states "Gardeners and pomegranate lovers will find this book a valuable, irresistable resourse." David Karp.
Includes a lot of information not available elsewhere. With lots of color pictures.

Although some information in this book has been included in CRFG "Fruit Gardener" magazines, consolidated that information along with new information in this book has been a valuable resource for me. This book includes comprehensive propagation information, several lists of cultivars with descriptions, and growing advice. I purchased the electronic version but am now considering purchase the print version, despite the higher price. I believe I'd find it handy to have copies of both since it's easy to search for a term in the electronic copy but sometimes flipping from section to section would be easier in the print version. Thanks for a fine book.

The paperback version sold here is rather expensive compared to the electronic edition (only $7) available from the publisher, Third Millennium Publishing.

If you are not a reader of the CRFG publication "The Fruit Gardener", then the electronic edition is well worth the investment. You will find the quality of photos in the electronic edition is better.

However, if you do read "Fruit Gardener", you will be disappointed to find that the majority of the book is material previously published in that periodical, or repeatedly referenced by the magazine, or found elsewhere in college-level horticultural textbooks, Agriculture Extension publications, etc.

I love the story of the grandfather passing down his love of gardening to his grandchild. I love the fact that the book is reinforcing healthy foods and gardening. Each page has really cute illustrations and the story is just right. It keeps kids wondering what is going to happen next and also gives you plenty of opportunity for activities. When I used this book with Pre-K & Kindergarten we planted red beans and waited for them to sprout.

This is a wonderful book with beautiful illustrations! It covers basic gardening techniques for growing runner beans as well as the wonderful relationship between Jody and her grandfather. My own children enjoyed growing their own runner beans up a similar teepee! A true delight for young and old!.....And if you have young "picky eaters," perhaps this will motivate them to try their beans!

This is a wonderful book with beautiful illustrations! It covers basic gardening techniques for growing runner beans as well as the wonderful relationship between Jody and her grandfather. My own children enjoyed growing their own runner beans up a similar teepee! A true delight for young and old!.....And if you have young "picky eaters," perhaps this will motivate them to try their beans!

This book was fantastic. It gave me the tips I needed to get started in this hobby with regard to watering, tree placement, general growing tips. Definitely the best of the many books I've read with regards to care tips.

Most books on Bonsai give you the basics of every aspect of raising your Bonsai. This book goes into much more detail on watering and preventative maintenance. Did you know that watering is a 3 step process?

This is a very useful book that gives you wonderful guidelines as to when it is time to repot, shape, water, fertilize, etc... It also gives you an idea of what a lot of different species of trees need and prefer. Wonderful book. I am very glad that I bought it.

This is a fabulous reference for owners of magnolia trees and all persons considering planting a magnolia at any time in the future. This book will give you detailed information on habit, growth rate and hardiness that is a level of specificity well above most nurseries. My only wish was for more pictures, there seem to be multiple pictures of a few select species but none for the majority of those listed in the book. However, the title includes "A gardener's guide" rather than "Encyclopedia" so I did not feel misled.

The book is a very thorough examination of the genus magnolia, both species and hybrids, with chapters on history, cultivation, propagation, pests and an excellent section on which species and hybrids to choose for your garden.

While not for the casual gardener, I found much to recommend to any serious gardener considering an ornamental tree.

This is no doubt the authoriative text on the subject and a very interesting read.

Gardeners interested in an in-depth coverage of magnolia hybrids, species, and their care will find this offers all the detail they require, charting the magnolia's culture, characteristics, and history. Magnolias isn't for the casual gardener, but for those devoted to the magnolia in particular and horticulture in general: a recommended pick for any serious horticultural library.