Book Description

60 Full-color photos, 5 1/2" by 8 1/2"

Contains the most current up-to-date source of information on outdoor marijuana growing. available. Novice & experienced will learn how today's growers are achieving record harvests. Cervantes travelled troughout North America, Europe, Great Britain & Australia to learn how growers harvested the best bud in the world.

Swiss, Italian, French, Canadian and Dutch gardens shown in detail with complete instructions and examples.The most valuable outdoor grower guide. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

[aweful]
This is probably the most ill-formed book in general I have ever read, not to mention the worst grow book, period. The illustrations are CHEESY.
The photographs are of poor quality, you can barely discern them. The information is general, contradictory, unorganized... I wouln't trust a thing in it, which is strange because Jorge Cervantes is a genius, and his previous publications prove his skill. But this book is a no-no. Go for another, and don't be afraid to spend the bucks. You want climate matched with plant variety with specific feeding instructions, and plenty of do's and dont's. If your info is poor then your fruit will suffer.

A GREAT BOOK FOR IDIOC GROWERS
THIS BOOK IS THE PERFECT WAY TO START OFF. IF YOU HAVE NEVER CULTURED YOUR OWN MARIJUANA BEFORE

Guerilla Growing!
What a great book, easy to understand and I am a person who has to have it for my health. I found this book to be very helpful and I have been very successful in my growing because of his help. Jorge Cervantes is very smart and I hope more people with major health problems will concider buying this helpful manual. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by James Perry and David Morton, the full-color atlas includes photos of botanical specimens, utilizing light, transmission, and electron microscopy. It also contains macro photography of whole specimens, microscope parts and techniques, and biological tests commonly used in the laboratory. ... Read more

Book Description

There has always been interest in how animals live their lives --- it is easy for us to identify with them. But there are many remarkable stories about plants that deserve to be told. The Nature of Plants tells how plants adapt to the challenges of their habitats. Plants may live in places that provide too little rainfall, yet they thrive, either by evading drought, like the animals that live in deserts, or by tolerating the scarcity. There are plants that use other plants, climbing on them, strangling some, living in their leafy canopies, or parasitizing them. And The Nature of Plants explores the love-hate relationships that plants have with animals, some feeding on plants but others drawn into serving plants by pollinating them, scattering their fruits and seeds, or being eaten themselves. The mostly hidden associations that plants have with bacteria and fungi are also revealed. Illustrated throughout with superb color photographs, it is written in a way that is clear to anyone who wishes to understand the life of plants. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

FACSIMILE VOLUME OF RARE 19TH CENTURY BOTANICAL TREASURES
You don't have to be a connoisseur of lilies to appreciate these beautiful specimens. If you are a horticulturalist or just an art lover, this new book will fascinate you. Gathering all of the plates from Pierre-Joseph Redouté's original eight volumes (published between 1802 and 1816), The Lilies is not just a book about lilies, it's also a foray into the exacting and rare art of botanical illustration.

Redouté is widely considered one of the best botanical illustrators in history. He was not only breathtakingingly skilled at transferring the natural world onto paper, but was also devoted to improving printing technology. Amongst other advances, he introduced "stipple-engraving" to France and refined the technique of single plate color engraving. Redouté's contributions to the art of botanical illustration are unequalled and his original printed work is highly collectible. The complete set of original volumes of The Lilies is currently valued at approximately $400,000.

For considerably less, you can have all of 486 of Redouté's lilies, beautifully reproduced on thick, creamy paper. THE LILIES, the latest in TASCHEN's historically accurate facsimile editions, is a botanical delight. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A superb slipper orchid reference book
The book contains about 308 pages composed of: 54 pages on Vietnam flora and habitat, 34 pages on the anatomy, ecology, and distribution of orchids, 178 pages about individual slipper orchid species found in Vietnam (22 species), 20 pages on the conservation, 9 pages on literature referenced, and a 14 page index.

The text is far more extensive than just "slipper orchids" or "Vietnam". Rather it also introduces the flora, habitat, and physical geography of Vietnam, and it covers all slipper orchids of southeast Asia in very complete detail.

The last 2/3rds of the book is a treasure of information about the individual species of Vietnam slippers. It contains lots of field pictures, closeups of the flowers, flower diagrams, and distribution maps. I was impressed with the completeness of the treatment for each orchid. This is a superb slipper orchid reference book.

If you are a Paphiopedilum orchid book enthusiast - times are very good. There are presently three absolutely outstanding slipper orchid books in press: "The Genus Paphiopedilum" by Braem, Baker & Baker, "The Slipper Orchids" by Catherine Cash, and "Slipper Orchids of Vietnam" by Leonid Averyanov, Phillip Cribb, Phan Ke Loc & Nguyen Tien Hiep. Each book sets the highest standard of excellence. We slipper orchid hobbyists are truly blessed to have such talented and passionate writers on this subject. I reference each of these books several times each month. They are great additions to my orchid library.

There is total concensus over 2/3rds of the species in all of the books. But there are major disagreements over much of the rest. Discussions in the text are filled with little daggers about what the other book authors had missed or misinterpreted - it is facinating! Since Slipper Orchids of Vietnam was written after the other two books, Averyanov & Cribb have the last word in the arguement. But I suspect that new books from Braem and Cash are already in the making.

It's a great time to be a slipper orchid enthusiast. You gotta buy this book! ... Read more

Book Description

An understanding of the mineral nutrition of plants is of fundamental importance in both basic and applied plant sciences. The Second Edition of this book retains the aim of the first in presenting the principles of mineral nutrition in the light of current advances.
This volume retains the structure of the first edition, being divided into two parts: Nutritional Physiology and Soil-Plant Relationships. In Part I, more emphasis has been placed on root-shoot interactions, stress physiology, water relations, and functions of micronutrients. In view of the worldwide increasing interest in plant-soil interactions, Part II has been considerably altered and extended, particularly on the effects of external and interal factors on root growth and chapter 15 on the root-soil interface.
The second edition will be invaluable to both advanced students and researchers.

Key Features
* Second Edition of this established text
* Structure of the book remains the same
* 50% of the reference and 50% of the figures and tables have been replaced
* Whole of the text has been revised
* Coverage of plant (soil interactions has been increased considerably) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not Just for Plant Science
Excellent text for nutritionists, as well. I was looking for a text to help me better understand the nutrient mechanisms of plants. I wanted to better help my clients understand where nutrients lie within plants and what their role is in the growth and development of plant structure. Not the usual course, but the book greatly helped in this goal.

The text enabled me to bridge the gap between holistic nutrition and plant science. It provided me with another way to explain nutrient affinity in the human body by explaining plant development.

Essential for all plant scientists
This book was the text for a course I took in plant mineral nutrition. It is extremely comprehensive. Our professor indicated that, despite its age, it is one of the very best books on the subject.

A "must have" reference text for the serious student.
This text is essential for the upcoming plant scientist and should be in the book case of every graduate student involved in the study of plant nutrition. Marshner provides the in-depth look into the mineral nutrition of plants that serious students have been looking for. Topics are supported by an endless array of citations and the book is an excellent source of information for those writing literature reviews and journal articles. Marshners depth of understanding on the subject will amaze you! Recommended for graduate level students, or serious undergraduates. The depth may prove to be frustrating for the beginner.

great book. how can we get the publisher to reprint?
This is, by far, the best textbook on plant nutrition written in the past 15 years. I use it as the textbook in my graduate level course in Plant Nutrition at Utah State University. I hope we can convince the publisher to reprint it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Finally a redwood book with facts to match its pictures
Coast redwood is the world's tallest tree. It is also one of the most useful,rapidly producing enormous volumes of high-grade timber that satisfies many of man's structural and esthetic needs. It grows in very wet habitats that support high biodiversity. And the land it grows on is often fragile and easily eroded with disastrous consequences. For these reasons, and some others, the management and conservation of coast redwood has for well over a century been a focus of popular passions and public policies. From the fraudulent land-grabs of the Timber and Stone Act days to the tree-sit of Julia Butterfly Hill, this valuable and beautiful tree has excited those who would destroy it,those who would preserve it, and those who would use it sustainably.Coast redwood is also a botanical curiosity, from its hexaploid genome to its clonal habit; and much has been learned of its paleohistory. Finally, it is probably the tree that is known of by more people than any other, famous almost everywhere in the world. It is not surprising that much ink has been spilled over the years because of this tree. It has probably inspired the writing of more books than any other woody species, and the publication of more pretty pictures. Unfortunately, most of those books were written when little was known of the science of redwood; or when environmental photography had few practitioners; or by authors who knew a good sales opportunity but had little knowledge of their subject. Well, finally a redwood book has emerged that has the facts to match its utterly stunning pictorials. Though team-written by six authors, its expertise is unquestioned, and its smooth editing lets you glide without bumps from one topic to another. And the topics are comprehensive: origins and distribution, life history, ecology, wildlife, harvest and utilization, history of preservation, and conservation and management. Before writing this review I focused mainly on the biology, and found it nearly impeccable, and far more detailed than what is available elsewhere. But I found myself frequently turning pages to admire the color photos, or the nineteenth century black-and-whites, or the fascinating sidebars on a wide variety of subjects. So maybe I missed an overstatement, or even a blunder somewhere. Maybe. But since this is hands-down the most sumptously illustrated, factually rich monograph of any single tree species ever written for a popular and professional readership, I can only recommend you buy it. But only if you have an interest in forestry, botany, the environment, conservation, history, or wildlife. And if you think you can keep friends and family members from snatching it when your back is turned.

A must read for anyone interested in Redwood forests
Novices and academics alike will want copies for their libraries.

This is the first contemporary book that outlines the complete natural and cultural history of the world's tallest tree the Coast Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens. This book makes the most up-to-date scientific information about the trees, their ecology and associated wildlife, accessible and exciting to ordinary folks.

The authors tell the story of these remarkable trees, their logging, the emotions they have inspired, as well as the past- and present-day battles to preserve these forests in an easy to read, balanced manner. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great Bamboo Reference!
I bought this book several years ago - and I use it often when I need to look up a bamboo species. My knowledge of bamboo was rather limited, and I find it interesting that these grass species are found in Asia, as well as South America. For anyone interested in grasses, this book is a must! ... Read more

Book Description

Valuable hints from a veteran botanist and weaver on dyeing fibers and fabrics, what soap plants to use for cleaning textiles, advice on fragrant plants to scent and protect fabrics, plant materials to use as tools, suggestions for planning and creating a garden featuring cotton, flax, indigo, and much more. Includes glossary, pronunciation guide and an abundance of illustrations. An informative and inspiring volume for weavers, gardeners, textile artists, and craftspeople.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book!
I am a fanatic when it comes to dyeing and weaving my own yarn. I really enjoyed this book's dyeing techniques and the methods of extracting natural dyes from their sources. This book is great when it comes to teahing other people about hoow to make their own dyes. I even got my son into dyeing whit natural methods, my son is 14 and usually hates to take any of my advice. This showshow great this book really is!! ... Read more

Book Description

Training plants into fanciful shapes is a popular hobby among today's gardeners. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good book for beginners
This is a great beginner's book on how to create topiaries & espaliers. The book is in full color with lots of photos. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. In each section appropriate plant types are discussed.

First, frameless topiaries are described. Designs included are lollipop, poodle, spiral, & corkscrew trees. The book then shows how to make empty frame topiaries. Included are circles, hoops and spirals.

Then it shows you how to make a moss-filled bunny. Following this method you can make almost any shape imaginable. Several kinds of espalier shapes, and how to make them are then show.

Finally, knots, mazes, pleaching, pollarding & coppicing are covered. Proper tools and shaping hedges are explained as well. Be aware that most plants used are for warmer climates (zone 6 or above).

Disappointing--skimpy, very basic info.
This is the first negative review I've written, and I feel badly about it. I was so anticipating the arrival of this book.

The instructions, which I was eager to get, were only the most general, basic things I already knew even though I'm a raw beginner. I was particularly interested in espalier and pleached allee directions and was hoping for a book with lot of focus on these. A couple of short articles available on the Net were much more informative and illustrated each step very clearly.

The list of recommended plant materials was limited. With a little research on the Internet, I obtained a much more extensive list suited to my area.

The photos were the best part, although they could have been improved, too.

The most positive statement I can make is that the price was most reasonable, and perhaps that is why this book was so lightweight, more for browsing than using for instruction.

I'm ordering another book from Amazon, hoping for better instructions--and hopefully, I'll be able to write a glowing review! ... Read more

Book Description

One of two genuine classics of American nature writing now in paperback; the other is A Natural History of Western Trees. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Clearly the best overall book on trees...
This book and its companion volume, "A Natural History of Western Trees," are by far the most detailed accounts of the trees of North America. It's truly too bad the author didn't have the chance to complete the third book in this series: "Southern Trees." Never have I read a richer, more lovingly or enthusiastically written description of trees. Aside from being packed with facts, the books offer a glimpse of man's interaction with trees and teaches one how to interact with them and respect them. The author's enthusiasm is contagious!

A great book for tree lovers
This is a great book for tree lovers.Though not very good for identification(one of the field guides would be better for that),this is an excellent book for the reader who has already learned to identify the various trees and now wants to learn something about them.The short,non-technical articles cover a host of topics,from botany and historical reports to the author's personal acquaintance with the various trees discussed.

Fantastic!!Fantastic!!Fantastic!!
A Natural History of Trees is a compilation of a rich resource of material on native U.S. Trees. While you'll do better with a Peterson's Field Guide for identification, I don't think you'll find more fun.

Grouped by Family(beginning with Pines and ending with the Ashes) the stories are king here. Just pick your favorite tree and sit back and enjoy. The history of the White Pine, for example, seems almost mythic in its sheer height and size back in colonial days. It very well helped build near most of colonial America, too!

From White Pine to White Oak to Redbud to Sycamore, this is a fascinating and informative read. There is an index of both scientific and common names, plus a glossary and a section called Keys to Species and Genera (which is much easier to decode with a Peterson's Guide at hand).

Also recommended, Petrerson's Field Guide to Eastern Trees(ISBN: 0395904552) and National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees(ISBN: 0394507606) for IDing and Trees in my Forest(ISBN: 0060929421) and the Man Who Planted Trees(ISBN: 1570625387) for more great stories.

The essential reference
This is the essential book for anyone who cares for the trees and forests of the USA. The writer has a talent, unmatched as far as I know, to spin a tale on trees, bringing to life not only the trees of North America but also the people who walked among them.

It also is an essential book for anyone interested in the history of the USA. Fittingly the book starts off with a description of white pine and the birth of what is now the USA. In short anyone who claims to care for trees or to be interested in how the USA came to be and who is not familiar with the contents of this book is in serious danger of appearing to be a charlatan.

[Quality of the reprint could be better; actually this book deserves to be in hardcover. However, the quality of the reprint could also be a lot worse, or -horrible thought!- the book might go out of print altogether]

A good introduction to the natural history of US forests.
This book provides some fascinating information on the natural history of the major tree species of the east and central U.S. While some species are covered in much greater detail than others, and other species are completely excluded from mention, the book is still fascinating reading for those interested in the commercial uses, wildlife value, and historical impact that trees have had in this area of the world. ... Read more

Book Description

Oliver Sacks is best known as an explorer of the human mind, a neurologist with a gift for the complex, insightful portrayals of people and their conditions that fuel the phenomenal success of his books. But he is also a card-carrying member of the American Fern Society, and since childhood has been fascinated by these primitive plants and their ability to survive and adapt. Now the best-selling author of Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat brings his ceaseless curiosity and eye for the wondrous to the province of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Oaxaca Journal is Sacks’s spellbinding account of his recent trip with a group of fellow fern enthusiasts to the beautiful, history-steeped province of Oaxaca. Bringing together Sacks’s passion for natural history and the richness of human culture with his penetrating curiosity and trammeling eye for detail, Oaxaca Journal is a captivating evocation of a places, its plants, its people, and its myriad wonders.

Reviews (4)

Take a Trip with Oliver Sacks
Sometime during the writing of his well regarded book "Uncle Tungsten", Neurologist Oliver Sacks took a 12 day trip to state of Oaxaca (pronounced wah-HOCK-ah) in southern Mexico ostesibly for the purpose of observing and cataloging ferns with members of the American Fern Society- to which he belongs. Oaxaca Journal is the Author's first person account of the delighful little adventure that resulted.

Because of the Author's boundless curiosity about pretty much everything, the trip becomes more than just a fern collecting odyssey. To the searching eye of Sacks, a simple midmorning sitting alone at a cafe table in a town square, becomes a rumination on human tolerance for sun and shadow. A visit to the Ancient Meso-American city of Monte Alban becomes an excuse to probe into the curious history of rubber- which the Zapotec people used to make their heavy sport balls for their own unique form of basketball. Casually encountered botanical names are savored for their historical baggage and contribution to language and culture. And each new plant Sacks and his travelling companions encounter sparks a conversation which could end up touching on just about any realm of human experience.

Sacks' travelling companions are a particular delight; intelligent, well read, boundlessly enthusiastic, they are the sort of people one dreams of having along on trips to casually recount tidbits of history, science, and cuture to enrich the experience. Anyone belonging to a club with a scientific or academic bent, will recognize the combination of passion and quirkiness in the author's new friends.

Fans of the casual, digression laden, style James Burke's "Connections" books or of the popular recent books on single subjects, such as Mark Pendergrast's "Uncommon Grounds" and Mark Kurlansky's "Salt", will probably enjoy Oaxaca Journal. These books are typically pretexts for digressions into juicy and fascinating anecdotes from the nooks and crannies of human history and knowledge.

In a way, the author's vivid account of his trip reads like a book length "National Geographic" article. There's no real agenda or underlying theme. The confluence of experiences that the trip allows to happen is point. In this sense, like the best travel writers, Sacks teaches his reader a way of traveling- that is, a way of searching and savoring our fascinating world.

Oaxaca Journal is a pithy 162 pages- with a generous amount of white space included. I would have liked to have seen more text- but I suppose that that would not fit in with the brief nature of the trip in which there was enough experience to tanatalize, but not delve deeply. The entire work could be savored during a long airport layover on the way to an exotic travel destination- which I think would provide the perfect lesson for how to proceed once arrived.

Oddly Satisfying
What an odd little book. Just as he was finishing writing the brilliant UNCLE TUNGSTEN professor of nuerology Oliver Sachs joins an eleven day journey to Oaxaca with a band of botantists the putative purpose of which is to study ferns. Now Oliver likes ferns; he is a member of the American Fern Society and appreciates the antiquity and remarkable adaptability of ferns as much as the average guy (ok--the average, brilliant botanist). The book is replete with charming drawings of ferns and lots of Latin names and fernish descriptions. But it isn't really about ferns.

It is also a quite wonderful description of this special section of southern Mexico. As well as describing the tremendous variety of plant life found in this Mexican state he also is stunned by the variety of food. One restaurant has well over 100 dishes none the same and few immediately recognizable to his North American eye. Sachs tosses in a good deal of history--of the ancient Aztecs, Toltecs, Zapotecs and Mayans as well as Cortez and the conquering Spaniards. He also passes on a few pointed comments about the church and the modern disaster that is Mexican government. He is intrigued by Oaxaca and thinks about the necessity of returning. But this book isn't really about Oaxaca or Mexico herself.

The thirty plus botantists on this tour are an soortment of gays, lesbians, heterosexuals--all in couples save Sachs. He remarks that he has always been a loner--never really part of a couple. One night after drinking a lot of mescal they all ascend a mountaintop to observe a lunar ecliipse. Sachs enjoys the joking and camaraderie immensely, but as the eclipse approaches totality he goes off by himself to best appreciate the event. Almost through the trip he finds himself feeling oddly. After much reflection he decides that he must be feeling joy--because of the adventure, the scientific richness of all he sees, the new experience of Mexico; and, to some degree, because he feels part of a group. And that, I think, is the heart of this book. A brilliant but lonesome man finds sustenance and joy in the company of his peers. An odd, but absolutely charming, little book.

Wonderful excursion into the field and into history!
I finished reading this in 2 days. I couldn't put it down - wanted to keep reading so that I could turn each corner with the author and other members of this excursion and see what fern, bird, or historical artifact would be observed next. I loved the extra background history about foods, artifacts, architecture, etc. The book truly took me right along with the group on their fern-hunting trip into old Mexico.

Thanks for taking me along as a stow-away. I can't wait to share this book with my reading group.

Oliver Sacks in Mexico
Once again, Oliver Sacks takes us into his world. A tenacious scribbler, he carries us on a journey back to the timeless world of nature. Quick to tell us of his passion for ferns, he recounts his journey to Oaxaca, Mexico with his collegues who share his fascination.

On one level, we are treated to a kaeidoscope of hundreds of exotic ferns and their latin names he and his frends find in the lush vegetation of Mesoamerica. Not being a fern lover myself, I marvel at the intrigue of the hunt for these living fossils, objects from the distant world of time and creation before the advent of humanity. One would expect that such trivia would bore the reader, but no, Sacks absorbs us in his fascination with the varieties of these creature; he takes us along in the narrative by his marvel with discovery.

At another level, Sacks enters the world of Oaxaca. He treats us to the rich culture of the region. He regails us with tales of the potato, the tomato, the bean, maise and pepper. He describes the ageless Oaxacan cuisine that nourishes his fellow pilgrims and the people of the region. The rubber ball of the Zatopec culture and the games played with it especially intrigues him. And his delightful descriptions of the delicious Oaxacan chocolate in all its forms stimulates mouthwatering longing for a taste. More importantly, he tells us of the people who lived in the region and bore the brunt of the Spanish Conquistadores. One is treated to the rich history of the Mesoamerican civilizations that rivaled Rome and Athens. Yet, Oaxaca's civiliztion achieved greatness while being innocent of the wheel, iron, compass, and alphabet. Sacks tells us of his confusion as a Westerner entering this world where his reference points create discontinuity.

Sacks marvels at the breadth and scope of his companions' erudition. He tells us of their vigor and clarity of mind, some of whom are into their seventh decade. Most of all, he tells us of the comfort of being among fellow scientists and friends who enjoy each others company that is devoid of the competitiveness and the rush of living in the in the rapid paced world at home.

He ends his tale by describing the idyllic surroundings of their last meal together beneath bald cypresses on the banks of a river. They were treated to estafado de pollo, a chicken stew in almond sauce and mole amarillo, with pork spiced with yerba santa and pitiona, all washed down with copious amounts of refreshing hot cinnamon-flavored Oaxacan chocolate! ... Read more

Book Description

From the best-selling author of Remarkable Trees of the World, a celebration of the most extraordinary tree of them all.

Standing tall on the sunburned plains of Africa and Australia, baobabs may be the oldest life forms on the planet. Many of the specimens still standing today have been around for well over two thousand years. Tremendous in size and bizarre in appearance, they have provided food, medicine, and places of refuge and worship to countless peoples, even serving as prisons and tombs on occasion. Long before European explorers opened up the African continent, the news of these "gnarled upside-down giants" had astonished the world of science and stoked the imagination of naturalists everywhere. Thomas Pakenham chronicles his personal encounters with the baobabs of Africa, Australia, Madagascar, and America and shares the countless superstitions and myths, as well as the often-strange history, that surround these enigmatic trees. With 60 color photos and 144 pages with color throughout, The Remarkable Baobab will be a great, and reasonably priced, gift book for the Christmas season. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is designed and intended as a source of ideas on how to think about oak forests as responsive ecosystems. Divided into two sections the book focuses on oak ecosystems in the United States as well as providing much application to other regions such as Europe and the Mediterranean. The first section includes chapters on the ecological characteristics and distribution of oak species and the various kinds of oak forests in the United States, differences among them and how they have been classified. The second section includes chapters on site productivity, stand development, silviculture, and growth and yield. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

scholarly, readable, useful, and unique
Foresters and other land managers usually have to rely on shelves and boxes full of books, reprints, bulletins, and notes for the information they need about the ecosystem they are concerned with. Here, between two hard covers, is a great wealth of carefully selected, clearly organized, and creatively synthesized knowledge dealing with the biology and management of American oak forests and woodlands.Chapter titles will indicate the diversity of subject matter: Ecology, Regeneration Ecology (flowering, fruiting, and reproduction characteristics), Regeneration Ecology (population dynamics),Site Productivity and Stand Development, Development of Natural Stands, Self-Thinning and Stand Density, Even-Aged Silvicultural Methods, Uneven-Aged Silvicultural Methods, Multi-Resource Management, Growth and Yield, plus seven appendices. There are numerous sub-topics within each chapter, greatly amplifying the diversity of information. There are many illustrations, graphs, flow-charts, and photos. Each chapter has its own lit cited, about 90% of which are from 1990 or later. As a tree biologist I read the sections on acorn dispersal, vegetative reproduction, and growth, and found all to be clear, accurate, and current. This excellent technical volume should serve as a model for the digestion of information for all significant forest tree genera.

Stephen Shifley is a ROCKSTAR!
This book, the Ecology and Silviculture of Oaks, absolutely rocked my world. Never have I read such a moving, overwhelming discussion of oak trees. Wow. I may seem a little biased because author Steve Shifley is my rockstar father (yeah, Dad!), but this coming-of-age tale of oak trees in a changing, oppressive urban culture is truly a tearjerker. Well worth the [$] I paid for it. Buy as many copies as you can, because all the proceeds go to fund my college education. Once again, READ THIS BOOK! It'll alter your worldview- forever. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A book for the midwest home owner.
This is a book for creating a good looking yard that does not take all of your time working on it, so you spend more time looking at & enjoying the results.
Provides you the information required, to decide if a plant will grow successfully in the habitat you are trying to establish. Gives you the need to know requirements of the plant and what will make it happy and flourish.
I live in Iowa and this book is about plants that we can grow Iowa. The TV shows and many other books are always showing Zone seven plant material. That is called an annual in Iowa.
Great book for anyone planting in the midwest region. The price makes it a true value for the home owner. This is not a "coffee table" book this is an owner's manual.

I didn't like it.
No color pictures, it has black/white "drawn" pictures, but the information about each plant has a lot of detail.

Very detailed and informative-no pictures
I have found this book indispensable since moving from the west coast to Iowa.My only criticism is that there are no pictures, just sketches, which makes it difficult to put together what you have read with what you have seen.I recently bought a small hand size plant encyclopedia to accompany it and I find it makes things much easier.It is a good read and works well for quick reference, too.

Getting ready for spring!
I loved the Duggan book and now use it to plan for spring plantings.I turned an ugly yard into a beautiful garden and haven for my family and friends using the helpful, down-to-earth advice contained in the book.Whenever I think about gardening, I always check Laara's book first to find her advice about planting in shade,or in full sun,for color choices or for hardiness.I take her book with me everywhere in a plastic bag so thatI have it while on plant shopping trips, out to the nursery and out to the garden. I bought copies for my friends, too.

Outstanding.
A great book. It tought me how to grow great vegetables with minimal fuss,while making a great looking garden. ... Read more

Book Description

Grasses have been extremely important in California, withitsrolling grass-covered hills and the green-to-gold seasonal cycle of manynativegrasses. This convenient pocket guide surveys the range and providesidentification keys for the common introduced and native grasses. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Adequate for grass identification, but a little outdated.
The book serves well for the identification of exotic grasses recently found in Southern California, 1999. However, many of the scientific names of native California bunch grasses have been reclassified in recent years. Unless you know what the new names are, the guide may not serve you well. Additional pictures would have been much more helpful for many species. ... Read more

Book Description

No flower painter has so linked his name and immortality with a single genus as has Redouté with the rose. The three-volume Les Roses is Redouté’s most famous work, and its 170 hand-colored plates the most frequently reproduced of all botanicial illustrations. Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759–1840) was born into a family of Belgian painters, and at the age of 23 left for Paris to pursue his studies. He ultimately served as drawing master to the queens and princesses of France for half a century, from Marie Antoinette to Marie Amélie. Many of the paintings for Les Roses were made from the hundreds of varieties in the Empress Josephine’s rose garden at Malmaison. This Octavo Edition reproduces one of only five copies printed in large folio format on vélin paper, with a double set of plates, plain and colored, and includes, for the first time, a complete English translation. Commentary by Sandra Raphael. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An excellent resource for the enthusiast
This was the first reference book in many years to provide an in-depth guide to identifying the many species of sedums. The author provides details regarding 400-plus different kinds of sedums, with photos and identifying characteristics, native habitat, horticulture, etc. The book provides some general information on growing sedums (temperature, water, light, pests, propogation), but the bulk of the book is devoted to a discussion of individual types. With its in-depth, scientific treatment of the subject, it is not necessarily a book for a beginning rock gardener, but anyone past the initial stages of growing sedums would find it useful, and it is a must-have for a nursery owner.

indispensible reference on the genus Sedum
A thorough and up-to-date reference of species and cultivars of the genus Sedum. The focus of the book is botanical, but there is sufficient horticultural information included to make it very useful for gardeners as well as collectors. All species are described with notes on distinguishing features, variation, and horticultural availability and use. Many excellent color photos and informative line drawings. This is the standard reference for anyone with a serious interest in sedums. ... Read more