Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia

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.

Dirr has made an beautiful color encyclopedia of landscape-useful trees and shrubs. This book is more friendly to the amateur gardener than his previous gigantic reference book and has the added advantage of color photos. All of the expected plants are included as well as a large number of less common species and cultivars, but this book does not attempt to be an exhaustive reference like his earlier work. I am certain that a horticulturist would find a few glaring omissions, but I couldn't. The photos are the reason to buy the book, but the writing is also worth reading. Dirr conveys particulars about the plant as well as his opinions with humor and an intent to educate.

I am not a professional landscape designer, but wanted a reference to help choose trees and shrubs for a small space. This book provides both beautiful photos of mature specimens as well as the relevant information on plant habit & culture. I highly recommend this as a companion to the excellent "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants", also by Dirr. Together, these two make up the most useful (by far) of the general books on trees & shrubs I have found.

As a Master Gardener, but a novice at designing, I find this book to be an invaluable source of information. While many such books only show the features (flowers, leaf color) of a plant, Dirr has taken care to show the entire specimen, showing the shape and texture of mature trees and shrubs. It's a pleasure to read his descriptions (and opinions), which are written in plain but colorful language.

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.