Miracle-Gro Complete Guide to Trees and Shrubs
I’ll come right out and say it – I love trees. One of the key selling points for the property my wife and I purchased was the abundance of mature trees. There are several oaks and sycamores that are at least 100 years old, as well as maples, cottonwoods, hickories, buckeyes, and much more. I have been a proud supporting member of the Arbor Day Foundation since 2015.
Trees provide beauty and shade, supply building materials and fuel, produce food and shelter for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, absorb carbon, serve as windbreaks, provide shade, and can even help us cool our homes. All other things being equal, a neighborhood or property with mature trees will command higher property values than one that is barren or only has two small saplings that the builder was obligated by the city to plant out by the street.
This book is written for the homeowner who knows nothing about trees, but there are enough specific details to keep the attention of more experienced tree enthusiasts.
When you consider that a tree is something you plant for the long run, you need to be intentional when you decide what kind to plant. Many suburban lots only feature enough open space to plant a handful of trees, so it’s important to choose wisely. Whether you are interesting in a specimen tree or a 300′ long windbreak, you need to select the right tree for the job.
Most brick-and-mortar nurseries and big box home centers are pretty good about only stocking trees that will grow well in the USDA climate zone they’re located in. However, it doesn’t mean you should plant a weeping willow 30 feet away from your in-ground pool or an oak tree in between the curb and your sidewalk. There is enough information in this book for the homeowner to make an informed decision on what trees to plant.
I enjoy thumbing through this book and learning about trees that I like, but unfortunately can’t grow where I live. However, I look forward to identifying them when I travel or see them in photos. I pointed out different varieties of palms to my son on our most recent trip to Hilton Head Island based on what I learned from this book.
There are other far more technical books on trees available for those who seek more specific details. This guide provides the basic information (features, growth rate, and zones) that an amateur naturalist or home owner will find useful.
The all-color photos and diagrams really stand out. There are sections on selecting a site, improving your soil, pruning, and diagnosing disease. I also highly recommend another great book by Scott’s Miracle Gro and written in the same format, the Miracle-Gro Complete Guide to Vegetables, Fruits, & Herbs.