Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

An Illustrated Guide to Pruning

Rate this book
Well written and easy to understand, An ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO PRUNING, Third Edition is a must-have for anyone interested in the pruning and maintenance of trees. Filled with updated illustrations, photographs, and examples, this completely updated guide is designed to help readers understand and implement the appropriate pruning practices that are vital to developing sustainable structure in the first 25 years of a tree's life. Coverage includes a variety of information about the challenges associated with pruning such as disease prevention, root pruning, mature tree pruning, and restoration following storms. With its simple tables, lists, and strategies, this book is an appealing resource for horticulture, landscape and tree associations and industries and is a natural addition for botanic garden and arboreta bookstores.

352 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2001

11 people are currently reading
119 people want to read

About the author

Edward F. Gilman

10 books1 follower

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
41 (62%)
4 stars
21 (31%)
3 stars
3 (4%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Parks.
13 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Carlos Iglesias.
10 reviews
January 15, 2021
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! ;-)
354 reviews2 followers
Want to read
January 8, 2024
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/
Profile Image for Will G.
972 reviews
January 30, 2020
The quintessential book on making trees really really ridiculously good looking.
14 reviews
January 19, 2022
It is amazing how much I did not know about trees.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.