Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs

by Michael A. Dirr

3500 photographs. Over 380 genera. More than 3700 species and cultivars.

Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs is the most comprehensive visual reference to more than 3700 species and cultivars. From majestic evergreens to delicate vines and flowering shrubs, Dirr features thousands of plants and all the essential details for identification, planting, and care. Color photographs show each tree's habit in winter, distinctive bark patterns, fall color, and more. Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs  is a critical addition to any garden library.

Genres: Gardening, Plants, Reference, Nonfiction, Landscape Architecture, Science, Nature

952 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 2011

Reviews

[Aidan Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and thorough reference that I return to all the time.

[Lucia Brea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference, perfect for my TSV (tree, shrub, vine project) for master gardener stuff.

[This Is Not The Michael You're Looking For · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs is an excellent resource...if you live in the right part of the country. I happen to live in the southwest and was immediately disheartened when the first couple of trees I tried looking up in it were completely missing (e.g., mesquite and palo verde, both of which are quite common out here). I did find the third I tried, Desert Willow, so not all was lost.

Beyond the bias against southwestern trees, the book is excellent, with information on the growing habits of thousands of trees. It needs to be made clear that this book is aimed at gardening and landscaping. It is not a scientific text or a field guide. It is focused on the growth characteristics of trees you might wish to plant or cultivate.

I particularly like the special indices at the rear of the book which list plants by specific characteristics, such as flower color, fall color, time of flowering, fragrance, fruit, shade tolerance, salt tolerance, etc.

[raccoon reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly useful encyclopedia with lots of information. I wish Dirrs had one just for edible species of trees and shrubs since that's what I'm looking to grow. But totally useful book nonetheless. I wrote down pages of plants in my small notebook that I want to look up further to decide which is best for me in the future. Dirr's write ups on the plants are just the right size with just the right info for the average gardener (or less than average, like me).

My only fault with the book, was the index of common names. It was so absurdly small compared to the hefty lengthy index of latin names that I did not think it included one. It takes up the very last two pages of the book while the latin index takes up around 20 I think... I just assumed it wasn't there. When I got towards the end of the alphabet of the latin index I just assumed it occupied the last two pages. I'd like to have seen it first (or actually at all at this point since I just found it while writing this review....). Why wasn't this index put first, right after Dirrs index of plants listed by color (no, seriously). Or even before that! :) It was very annoying to keep using the computer to look up the common name of things to find the latin version with it online, look that up in the index and find it in the book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for visual reference as well as descriptive info. I used it as a guide to select shrubs for a garden I was working on and wanted to know a bit more about hardiness and growth habit for certain shrub species. I think Michael Dirr is the expert on the woody plants, at least those that grow east of the Mississippi .

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color photographs, and in-depth discussion on specific plants. A Great reference that would be relevant for years! There is also a wonderful app if this book would be needed in the field. (Purchased seperately)

[Amester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very encyclopedic. Overall a great resource but he couches a lot of things through the lens of growing in Georgia - not exactly helpful for anyone with dissimilar growing conditions.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice book but no where near as good as the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Dirr- which is the standard by which a tree books should be compared with.

[Diane Niksa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference book. Dry humor in some descriptions much appreciated.

[Jane Milliman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bible, now with photographs.