Miracle-Gro Complete Guide to Trees & Shrubs

Miracle-Gro Complete Guide to Trees & 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. I have been a 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.

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.

I enjoy thumbing through this book and learning about trees that I like but unfortunately can’t grow where I live so that I can recognize 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.

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.