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"An illustrated guide to pruning, third edition"
Edward F. Gilman
2012, 476 pgs., DelmarCengage Learning, Albany, NY ISBN 13: 978-1-111-30730-1.
Table of contents:
- Chapter one: Introduction to pruning
- Chapter two: Plant selection, placement, and management: the best way to minimize pruning needs
- Chapter three: Tree structure and strength
- Chapter four: Wood, energy, and compartmentalization
- Chapter five: Pruning cuts and implications
- Chapter six: Pruning tools
- Chapter seven: When to prune
- Chapter eight: Nursery shade tree production pruning: developing the trunk and leader
- Chapter nine: Nursery shade tree production pruning: developing the crown
- Chapter ten: Developing and maintaining special forms
- Chapter eleven: Structural pruning in the landscape: perspective
- Chapter twelve: Structural pruning in the landscape: practice
- Chapter thirteen: Pruning types (methods) on established trees
- Chapter fourteen: Mature and storm-damaged trees
- Chapter fifteen: Maintaining special sites and trees
- Chapter sixteen: Root pruning and management
- Chapter seventeen: Standards and specifications
- Chapter eighteen: Shrub pruning
Excerpt from the preface:
In a broad sense, the main objective of pruning is to extend the serviceable life of trees. Although this has not changed much, the techniques of pruning are ever changing as more professionals incorporate science-based research into their practice of tree and shrub pruning. The green revolution that has become popular in the past decade is driving some of the change, as people have become more aware of the benefits of durable, healthy trees. This third edition illustrates how new research on structural pruning provides a basis for creating this durability. Now with more than 500 color photographs and illustrations, this edition provides an enhanced understanding of how pruning can guide tree growth into a form consistent with sustainable landscapes, resulting in strong trees with low-maintenance inputs.
A thoroughly revised Introduction (Chapter 1) and Chapter 2 show designers, contactors, and horticulturists how to implement preventive strategies in the early stages of projects to reduce costly pruning later. Enhanced illustrative and photographic detail of tree structure explained in Chapter 3, in conjunction with response of wood to standard and substandard pruning in Chapter 4, provides a complete understanding of how and why small pruning cuts made often in the correct locations protect trunks against decay and other defects. Chapter 3 also incorporates a new understanding of tree failure patterns. The importance of pruning at planting to correct structural defects is strongly emphasized as well as pruning’s impact on disease transmission in the thoroughly revised Chapter 7.
Foremost in Chapters 8 through 13 is an examination of which stems and branches to remove from trees and shrubs to effect change in their architecture. This is the essence of pruning and the cornerstone of preventive arboriculture. Special care has been taken to present highly technical topics such as nursery pruning and mature-tree pruning in the landscape in a comprehensive yet understandable manner. A great deal of effort is put forth in the nursery production chapters, Chapters 8 and 9, to develop an appreciation in growers’ minds for why arborists prefer trees with exceptionally dominant leaders to the very top of the tree. The new Chapter 14 on mature-tree pruning and restoration addresses many scenarios commonly encountered in the field on large trees. Less focus is placed on fruit tree production, conifer, and shrub pruning because there are fewer pruning issues on many of these plants.
The basic and advanced techniques presented in hundreds of real-world illustrations and color photographs will bring a new technical understanding to students and professionals alike. Many readers will find that they can gain tremendous insight simply by reviewing the illustrations, photos, and charts. Nursery operators, arborists, and landscape maintenance professionals will find this an indispensable guide for training employees and for sales. In addition to all of the common techniques, instructors will find that this text presents many new ideas and technology that are just beginning to emerge in the green industry. For example, the new Chapter 16 on root pruning brings an enormous amount of new information to the practical horticulture world on pruning and managing root systems in the nursery, at planting, and in established landscapes.
Many changes and additions have been made to the third edition of An Illustrated Guide to Pruning. Most changes suggested by current users of this text were incorporated. Two new chapters were added, 14 and 16. A new Appendix 9 has been added on nursery stock specifications to help readers prepare a specifications document that calls for high-quality plants from the nursery. This description can serve as a model-tree for nurserymen to grow to, contractors to specify to, and researchers to research to. Appendix 9 also contains handy guides for root pruning, tree training, and planting. Through his extensive travel around the world, the author presents a global approach to pruning by including examples from temperate and tropical climates. The third edition of An Illustrated Guide to Pruning is a step closer to the complete pruning book.
Added Features
- Two new chapters (14 and 16) that detail mature tree pruning and root pruning , including their restoration following storms
- More than 200 new color photographs to provide examples of pruning trees in real-world situations
- More than 50 new illustrations for clarifying pruning cuts, tree structure, and specialized pruning techniques
- More than 100 citations of primary-source scientific articles to support concepts
- Additional tables for easy comparisons of treatments and response
- A clear picture of how trees respond to the different pruning methods, especially on large trees
- Numerous species examples of all pruning methods in all chapters
- Greatly expanded veteran tree care section
- Expanded shrub pruning chapter
- Improved writing style to make for easy reading
Enhanced Content
- Glossary entries now totaling nearly 300 terms
- A new approach to teaching mature tree care that includes structural pruning and retrenchment pruning
- Ways to describe the benefits of preventive structural pruning to customers
- Greatly expanded restoration pruning section, due to the tremendous damage caused by storms in the past decade
- Greatly expanded palm pruning section
- Addition of common and scientific names consistently throughout text
- Dozens of illustrations added and modified to include color photographs that expand understanding of important terms, concepts, and techniques
- Extensive coverage of the skills needed to conduct all the pruning methods for trees and shrubs in urban and suburban landscapes
