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Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs...new book

12 years ago

Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs, a new huge book is out.

Assuming it is very good, anybody have it?

{{gwi:478451}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon book

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Comments (25)

j0nd03
12 years ago
Well, I just ordered it. I was wondering when I would get around to purchasing one of his books. Thanks for the hole in the wallet, noki.

John
whaas_5a
12 years ago
For those in zone 5 or less (even zone 6 to a point) will want this one.

You can pick up a copy on auction site (or even halfdotcom) for half the price.

Here is a link that might be useful: The HARDY version
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I like Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants better than Hardy Trees and Shrubs. It doesn't have photos (that's what Google images is for) but it has much more info. And I love his writing style - often opinionated (and I regularly disagree with his opinions because my growing area is so different from his) but well written and with a sense of humor. I use this lots more than any other garden-related book on my shelf and really appreciate the depth of information included. (I also own and use as reference his book on Viburnums, though that is too specific for your purposes.) For well written garden essays, I really like anything by Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd. Well-written, excellent plant knowledge (especially for my northern area,) and great design sense, often along with gentle humor. What more could I ask of garden essays? They have a nice one on annuals if you're looking for one that fits a particular category. Most other garden books I own I've read once and may refer to periodically, but in reality I rely more on web searches since I can usually find detailed information on whatever I'm looking for. For design I read blogs written by several professional designers that are well-illustrated with photos. (Disclaimer - I read a lot of books, just don't find they fit most of my needs as an experienced gardener - because of the economics of publishing, most garden books are written to appeal to a broad spectrum and so may not have the level of specificity I'm looking for and they are hard to keep up-to-date with new plant offerings.) However, I am looking to get a good pruning book, so I'm hoping that I can get some ideas here. Thanks for the topic.
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My favorite book meeting the OP's criteria is Jacobsen's 1996 North American Landscape Trees. Dirr's work is exhaustive, but may have some errors as others have mentioned. However my preference for Jacobson is based on his writing style being more engaging - Dirr's "Manual of Woody Plants" seems aimed at being academic reference volumes rather than a spirited guide for the home gardener. Jacobson is simply the better _horticultural_ writer. You either have it or you don't - almost every page of his book has something interesting to read. (When Dirr does have digressions, they can seem vaguely pointless - like mentioning that he visited some beech trees in Europe with JC Raulston. Raulston was a great guy who did much for southern horticulture, but it's a sentence that doesn't need to be in the book.) It's slightly baffling Jacobson never released another edition, but it could be that horticultural publishers rightly consider the market for such a book to be small. It's really a volume for true plant nerds. I can actually read about types of trees that scarcely interest me, like Malus, and find his style engaging. He includes many facts on the cultivation of species in Europe and places Vancouver that doesn't seem of interest to Dirr, who obviously focuses on the US Southeast. I consider it one of my most invaluable horticultural references. That being said, it's still missing a few species here and there. True of Dirr, too, however. I can think of some semi-obvious things missing from his volume...and even the latest edition is dismissive of certain species when it need not be.
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brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
I don't have this particular book, but reviewed it on Amazon. Before forking over money for it, look closely to see what you're getting. It may be a good introductory text, but it's NOT EVEN CLOSE to his thorough and informative Manual of Woody Landscape Plants! For the difference in money, I'd definitely skip this one and go for the upgrade.

I do have the Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs, that Whaas linked, and it too falls far short, and least from my prospective, of the Tree Bible (Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants). Get them all if you have the money, but if you have to go for just one, I'd definitely go for the Manual.
j0nd03
12 years ago
Thanks Brandon. The manual of woody plants is actually sitting in my amazon shopping cart at work lol I decided I am going to try the one I ordered first BUT the amount of info in the manual (such as reproduction among many others) is something I am sure will get a buy from me after I look through the one I ordered.

John
Embothrium
12 years ago
I wouldn't call the Manual a "bible" either. There are multiple issues that prevent this from being the thing everyone back east in particular wants to bow down to, and always have been. Before the gasping and harrumphing commences I will say that if I have to explain it to you, well...

Have spent too much time and energy in the past going around and around over this, will not be this time. Those who know what I mean, know what I mean. That will have to be enough.
Iris GW
12 years ago
I have his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants and his Viburnums book. Both are quite good for what I need them for (a hobbyist). But I don't know that I need to get this one.
jqpublic
12 years ago
You all and your MANUAL talk. I finally just bought one.
treebarb Z5 Denver
12 years ago
I have the hardy version that Whaas linked and though it's more geared to eastern gardeners, it's helping me learn proper plant names. The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants is on my wish list.

I'm all for anything that gets people into books and plants. I do see your point, bboy. Is there a "bible" out there?

Barb
Embothrium
12 years ago
No, the much desired one stop shopping is not the direction to go in. Always research a topic using as many references as you can. Nowadays, of course, reference books and manuals are being "obsoleted" by the internet. The last time I visited the plant book section of the bookstore at the nearest major university I was quite taken aback by how it has shrunken down to a little nothing offering, like might be encountered at a small general bookstore.
brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
Bboy, I only called it that because so many others do. I don't think I would call ANY plant book a plant bible, because none are as all encompassing, thorough, and strictly objective as the ideal reference would be (guess that's what the word bible would supposedly suggest). However, if I had to name one single book as a woody plant reference bible, it would probably be Dirr's Manual. It's one reference I use on almost a daily basis.
Embothrium
12 years ago
Be sure to compare all statements made therein with other sources.
brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
That should be standard practice with ANY reference. If fact, I'd recommend consulting at least THREE independent sources for most any important decision.

I have found Dirr to be much more reliable than most sources, but not infallible.
Embothrium
12 years ago
>I have found...No comment.
brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
Bboy, why all the riddles? If you have something to say, don't be afraid, just spit it out. I mean you keep throwing out these confusing hints, but not really saying anything.

Dirr has thousands of raving horticultural fans all around the world, so I'm sure it won't hurt his feelings too bad if he finds that someone named bboy isn't enamored. Of course, if you don't really tell us what the heck you are talking about and he does see this thread one day, he may just scratch his head and wonder....like me.
pineresin
12 years ago
"Dirr has thousands of raving horticultural fans all around the world"

He doesn't have any significant fan base over here, I've never even seen any of his books for sale here. I'd suspect the same applies everywhere outside of N America.

Resin
treebarb Z5 Denver
12 years ago
OK, other than Dirr, what resources have you found helpful?

For example, in my high altitude, high alkaline and dry conditions, I use the CSU website, the Colorado Gardener's Guide by John Cretti and the Sunset Western Garden Book. I do use the internet, too, to research specific plants. I like this site as well to get practical info on what conditions plants prefer.

Barb
whaas_5a
12 years ago
Brandon, are you surprised? All this guy does is talk in riddles and rarely has anything of value or applicable to the topic at hand.

I think you have pretty much covered everything regarding the use of reference material (at least I understand it). It carries over to anything and everything, not just plants.

treebarb, I stopped buying landscaping/planting books as I can find more applicable info by visiting local botanic gardens and arboretums. The folks there are extremely knowledgeable from what I've gathered. Once in awhile you'll come across GW members with similar growing conditions growing the plants you are after. Dax, Ken and TJ have been quite helpful from that perspective.

Getting to know wholesale growers in your area can help to. Before you know it your network of contacts becomes your "reference library".
brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
A little bit. I actually like hearing Bboy's input on things. I think of him as one of "THE experts" on here, and I've actually learned quite a few things, and reinforced what I thought I know about things, over the years from him. I've seen his posts on other GW forums and usually find his input brief but on target. I'm not really sure exactly what his angle is on this topic.
whaas_5a
12 years ago
Brandon, that is quite diplomatic of you. Perhaps my comments where a bit brash.
Embothrium
12 years ago
Any limitations there may be on my part are not what is being demonstrated here.
brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
Well, Whaas, looks like your comments fit this situation pretty well. I don't know what bboy is talking about. He seems to be somewhere between rambling and riddles in this thread.
j0nd03
12 years ago
Not that anyone cares, BUT I ended up canceling the book in this topic and ordered the Manual of Woody Plants instead. Hope it is as great as it sounds!

And although bboy can come off as a little... cacophonous, I think I have only seen 1 or 2 instances where he was mistaken in his position in all the topics I have read on Gdub. Definitely one of the more valuable contributors on this forum. Only Dan (where the heck is he?) and gardengal are as knowledgable about the west coast and I can only think of pineresin being an equal to correctly IDing the rarer stuff that comes up.

He does seem to be a little vague today, though.
brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
Yep, I was wondering about Dan too, the other day. Maybe I'll write him and see what's up.
restorephoto
12 years ago
I didn't realize Dirr's Manual had been republished in 2009. I'll have to replace my 1998 edition and see what's been added.

Thanks for starting this topic, noki.
jqpublic
12 years ago
My books came in today. The first tree books I've ever bought. Thanks for the recommendations all.

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