Product Description

The book is the flagship of Timber Press. It is among the first books we published more than two decades ago and it continues to be one of our signature bestsellers. A comprehensive source of information on the culture, identification, and nomenclature of Japanese maples, it describes each of the 320 cultivars of Acer palmatum and 60 cultivars of other Japanese maple species, plus briefly mentions another 150 cultivars that may prove to be promising new plants. The index lists every cultivar name published, so that Japanese Maples will continue to be the foremost reference book on this wonderfully versatile collection of ornamental plants. In this fully revised and updated third edition, we have added important new maple cultivars (approximately 100) that have been introduced since the last revision by Vertrees in 1987. This brings to nearly 400 the total number of plants described. We have updated nomenclature to conform to current standards, included more photos, (approx. 25% more, 313 vs. 252), and improved a number of photos. We have also arranged cultivar descriptions in alphabetical order irrespective of their group, so replacing the original format of alphabetical arrangement by groups.

313 color photos, 8 1/2 x 11"

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45814 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 332 pages

Review
"Since 1978, the basic information source on these small trees has been Japanese Maples by J. D. Vertrees. Now, we have a valuable new third edition greatly enlarged and brought up to date by maple expert Peter Gregory."
—John Van de Water, Newark Star-Ledger, October 21, 2001 (Newark Star-Ledger )

"The ultimate book about the aristocrat of trees ... the only English-language reference devoted to Japanese maples and one of the preeminent texts in the world for the propagation, identification and cultivation of this exceptionally useful plant."
—Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, December 8, 2001 (The Washington Post )

"Whether planting a single specimen tree or seriously collecting maples, this is the reference book to consult."
—D. H. Pfister, Choice, November 2001 (Choice )

One of the preeminent texts in the world for the propagation, identification and cultivation of this exceptionally useful plant. -- Joel Lerner, The Washington Post, December 8, 2001

Since 1978, the basic information source on these small trees has been Japanese Maples by J. D. Vertrees. Now, we have a valuable new third edition greatly enlarged and brought up to date by maple expert Peter Gregory. John Van de Water, Newark Star-Ledger, October 21, 2001 (Newark Star-Ledger )

The ultimate book about the aristocrat of trees ... the only English-language reference devoted to Japanese maples and one of the preeminent texts in the world for the propagation, identification and cultivation of this exceptionally useful plant. Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, December 8, 2001 (The Washington Post )

This book [is] a most valued one for horticulturalists, nursery personnel, and gardeners of all sorts. -- James H. Flynn Jr., American Reference Books Annual 2001

This is a real jewel among gardening books. A dream book. -- Nancy Fiers, Fine Gardening, April 2002

Whether planting a single specimen tree or seriously collecting maples, this is the reference book to consult. D. H. Pfister, Choice, November 2001 (Choice )

Whether planting a single specimen tree or seriously collecting maples, this is the reference book to consult. -- D.H. Pfister, Choice, November 2001

From the Publisher
This third edition of the classic book on Japanese maples is certain to attract new converts to these superior garden trees. When the first edition of this book by J. D. Vertrees appeared in 1978, there had been no definitive text in English describing them in detail; these trees were the province of specialists only, and few even knew their correct names. Today, Japanese maples are found in nearly every garden center; many new varieties are bred and introduced each year. The inclusion of these new varieties, together with updated information on plant names which renders obsolete some names in the previous editions, makes this new update by Peter Gregory an indispensable reference. With their remarkable diversity of color, form, and texture, Japanese maples are unlike any other kind of garden tree. The shapes and patterns of Japanese maple leaves, in particular, can defy the imagination. Resulting from hundreds of years of careful breeding and observation by Japanese horticulturists and their western counterparts, these maples are aristocratic trees and shrubs destined to be specimen plants in any garden in which they are found.

Approximately 100 new cultivated varieties (cultivars) have been added to this edition, resulting in descriptions of more than 400 cultivars in all. With 313 color photographs, this book includes 60 more photos than the previous edition. Modern methods of color reproduction and printing have allowed sharper, more accurate versions of Vertrees’s original photos to aid the gardener in identification and selection.

With comprehensive and practical information on growing Japanese maples well, this book will appeal to gardeners at every level.

About the Author
J. D. Vertrees (1915--1993), one of the world's acknowledged authorities on Japanese maples, was an entomologist, nurseryman, and educator who collected rare and unusual cultivars of Acer palmatum. At one time his 1 1/2-acre arboretum at Maplewood Nursery in Roseburg, Oregon, had the largest collection of Japanese maples in the United States. Today his nursery is a private garden, and the results of his extensive research efforts live on in this classic and definitive book. During his lifetime Mr. Vertrees received many awards, including the 1978 Special Achievement Award from the Oregon Association of Nurserymen, the 1980 Citation for Horticultural Research from the American Horticulture Society, the 1980 Thomas Roland Gold Medal from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and the 1981 Citation for Distinguished Horticulture Achievement from the Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs. In 1997 Japanese Maples was selected by the American Horticultural Society as one of the 75 Great American Garden Books.

Peter Gregory, retired curator of the world-famous Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire, England, has researched maples and other trees for more than 40 years. Some of the techniques he developed to ensure the health and well-being of the exotic and mature trees in the Arboretum's collection have been adopted by other arboreta and botanic gardens. Mr. Gregory is chairman of the international Maple Society since its founding in 1990 and editor of the Society's quarter's journal. Like Mr. Vertrees, he is recognized internationally as a leading authority on Japanese maples.

Customer Reviews

Third Edition.? . . . buy the Second Edition
Japanese Maples (Third Edition) does contain more pages, more words, and larger type. Unfortunately, the revision author, English writer Peter Gregory, lets his biases and ego show. Instead of improving on Vertrees' work, he has rewritten large portions of the text, removing some of the data and substituting sloppy verbiage and English gardening jargon. Example: the removal of 'samara' replacing it with 'nutlet.' Why? It serves no purpose and 'samara' is the correct term, which Mr. Vertrees explained in his original work. Substituting an alphabetical listing of all Acer Palmatums for the groupings that Vertrees used makes it more difficult to find an appropriate maple for any given garden situation because you have to know the name--and who knows the names of more than 400 plants and what they look like? Many of the new cultivars that have been added are not accompanied by photos, including some of the plants Mr. Gregory describes as being oldest and most well-known. In the Growing Section, Mr. Gregory states that containerized maples require only average care. Yet further on in that section, he states that one should not leave containerized plants unattended for periods of time (such as vacations!). That doesn't sound like average care.

In my opinion, this is some of the sloppiest work I have seen in years.

Since I have owned and relied on a valued Second Edition for the past 14 years, I am returning this book.

This is an outstanding guide to Japanese Maples!
Few books come close to this one in terms of pure useful information. If you have little experience growing Japanese Maples, this book is easy to read and understand. For the hobby arborist, Vertrees' guide is full of listings of trees to put on your wish list. Think of this as the dictionary and encyclopedia of well known cultivars. Most people have only been exposed to a single common variety of Japanese maple at their local garden center. Vertrees' guide shows that there are many different kinds of maples being grown. Their beauty can be astounding, and this book clearly demonstrates that with detailed photographs.

Expecting More ... Disappointing
After looking at the pictures of the book on-line, it appeared to be a publication which was both beautifully photographed and written at an expert level - which would be helpful to the home gardener. Not so. Most of the photographs are of leaves only, not of the whole tree. This makes it less useful as an aid in deciding which varieties might fit into a particular landscape. The written descriptions alone cannot convey the variety and beauty of these trees. Very disappointing. Also, other than inadequate leaf photographs and short varietal summaries, the planting and care sections are woefully short. I have had trouble with leaf burn on my trees, and this book gave no additional insight on how to avoid it other than what I have read in other, less presuming publications. This book does not rise to the level of authority and usefulness in aspires to.