Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characters, culture, propagation and uses

by Michael A. Dirr

From the Department of Horticulture at the University of Illinois

Genres: Gardening, Reference, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Nature, Plants, School

Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Cynthia]

This book is THE reference I go to when I'm wondering where to plant a newly purchased shrub or tree, how big said plant will get, what conditions it needs, and so forth.

Dirr's pithy comments (pun somewhat intended) enliven what could be deadly dry material and actually provoke occasional snorts of laughter while I'm reading.

[Dianna]

Great reference book! No color photos but lengthy,useful descriptions on specific cultivars.

[Billy Beasley]

Referred to this book often in my 32+ years as a Park Supervisor..Considered it the Bible of Southern Plants..

[Ross]

One of my college horticulture textbooks. I go to this book for just about anything I want to know about woody plants. It seems especially useful for the Southeast US. Propagation information is most useful and can be difficult to find elsewhere. It also covers an extensive range of cultivars for each species.

[Win Dunwell]

In spite of publish date 2009 it is still useful and Mike’s comments bring a smile. Early paperbacks were virtually indestructible later printings fell apart. After several try’s I got an early printed softcover that has held together. I miss my original lost to the tornado along with copies of all editions :(

[William Chad]

Excellent reference book....

[Janet]

My horticultural bible

[Amy]

A must have for a horticulturist.

[Renee Wilkinson]

This is the bible of all things trees and shrubs. It has a permanent place on my desk as I work on landscape designs. Dirr has a very clear writing style and knows his subject in and out. My only critique is that his point of view is very SW oriented, which is to be expected from any plant specialist. I am in the NW and our trees get REAL big here, so I use his info on heights loosely.

[Toni]

I used this book for four Woody Landscape Plant classes at the (USDA) Graduate School. Unlike the A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, this volume is all information and no nice color pictures but the information is invaluable to the student of horticulture and landscape design. I often refer back to this book to identify a tree or shrub or to find the mature dimensions of a such.

[Meghan]

This is a must have for serious gardeners! There's tons of info on shrubs and trees including specifics on many, many cultivars. He is extremely knowledgeable, funny, and gives detailed opinions on different plants rather than just the textbook info.

[Barb]

Exhaustive treatment of ornamental trees and shrubs. The only thing I'd fault here is the author's sometimes snarky and self-satisfied tone, and the inadequacy of the illustrations.

[Stacy Ling]

Must have reference book.

[Nanook]

As an land architect I am never without this book

[Pricia]

LOVE this book. Love Dirr. He is "the man who wrote the book" on trees... I have unresolved tree envy. Before you plant, consult.

[Dragonfly]

Best book out there on shrubs and trees in North America! Great sense of humor too!

[Jane Milliman]

The bible.

[Paul]

THE most used book in my library. The standard bearer for all books on woody plants. A little technical but very user friendly.

[Ryan Smith]

Awsome! Anything by Dirr is full of great information.

[Caleb]

I absolutely love all of the diagrams and the level of detail and personal experience the author goes into for each species and variety.

[Billie Hinton]

Gigantic resource for woody landscaping plants. Huge amount of information, great book to have for reference.