Michael A. Dirr

With its size and weight, this is definitely not a field guide. Rather, its focus is on the horticultural attributes of trees. As such, it is a wonderful supplement to a field guide because of the additional information it provides. There's no way I'm ever going to read this, page by page. But I will be using it to satisfy curiosity about particular tree species on ad-hoc bases.

This is an excellent tree and shrub book, in which the author freely offers his opinion. Too often gardening books show beautiful pictures of every plant listed, deceiving the reader and creating false expectations. Dirr gives you all the gardening info you need (zones, care, growth rates, etc. but goes one step further by letting you know whether a particular plant would be advantageous for YOUR garden.

As a horticulturist, this is my bible. The first place I go to find information about any woody landscape plant...which variety to use, exposure, culture, growth habit, size, possible diseases, etc. My treasured copy has been used for years and was signed by Michael Dirr after a hort lecture.

On of the most beautifully illustrative, excellantantly photographed, books for the do it your self landscaper on the market...plus tons of information on trees, bushes, vines, grasses etc..., that can fit into your gardens depending on the climate where you live... Also if you are really handy with hand tools and can comprehend simple building instructions you can build arbors, decks and sidewalks.