An Illustrated Guide to Pruning

by Edward F. Gilman

Illustrated Guide to Pruning, second edition guides the reader through the appropriate training and pruning practices that are vital to developing sustainable structure in the first 25 years of a tree's life. It provides universal as well as species-specific pruning for such trees as palms, eucalyptus, and conifers and offers a variety of information about the challenges associated with pruning, including disease prevention. Numerous illustrations spanning a 20-year period identify how to develop good tree structure. This completely updated guide to pruning also provides a detailed protocol for training trees in a production wholesale nursery. Containing simple tables, lists and strategies, this text makes it easy to teach the presented pruning techniques in accordance with nationally recognized ANSI A-300 standards.

Genres: Gardening, Horticulture, Plants

352 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2001

Reviews

[Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is best for people with already a few months experience in Arboriculture. It gives good explanations on industry standards and how training Landscape Tree's can be obtained from Nursery to the Customer's Property, alongside with mistakes you can avoid that you see common in the industry.

The only reason I say it is best for those with a few months experience because there is a lot of information you probably want some vague background knowledge on to fully be able to understand and comprehend it all.

This book isn't too forthcoming in knowledge for Certified Arborists who already know about Branch Protection Zones, Codominant Stems, Training Leaders, and so on.

I would recommend this to anyone looking to become an Arborist or more familiar with how Trees are pruned, grown and taken care of throughout their years.

[Carlos Iglesias · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE trees. I know little to nothing about tree health. Dr Gilman helps me feed the former by insightfully educating about a cornerstones of the latter.

His textbook easily and clearly explains how to help trees acquire the "good bones" that are a foundation of their health. His graphic technique for showing pruning steps, outcomes, and missteps is remarkably innovative and clear. The chapter structure flows nicely from the big (fundamentals) picture to specific application. His clear and succinct writing makes understanding the concepts easy for even the layman. This book will really grow on ANY tree lover! ;-)

[Miriam]

Prune for Natural Form (SA Gardening Expo 2023)
1. Double Leaders
2. Malformed Branches
3. Crossed Branches
4. Water Sprouts
5. Narrow-Angle Crotches
6. Broken Branches
7. Temporary Branches
8. Suckers
9. Inward/downward Branches (not shown)

Proper pruning can enhance the natural look of your trees by removing branches that distract from their natural form.
-The less desirable central leader where double leaders occur
-Water sprouts unless needed to fill a hole
-Suckers (from base of trees like crape myrtles and redbuds)
-Branches growing inward and downward distract from the natural form of the tree and can be removed.

https://www.thegardencenter.com/

[Patrick Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on speechify. I missed some parts. I need to review the illustrations and parts that I missed.
There is a ton of wonderful information in this book. It was written in a fun way, casual at times

[Will G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quintessential book on making trees really really ridiculously good looking.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing how much I did not know about trees.