Product Description

Praised by The New York Times as "an indispensable guide for the homeowner and the professional," Tree Maintenance has been the definitive source on maintenance of North American landscape trees for over fifty years, an essential reference not only for arborists, nurserymen, and landscape architects, but for all homeowners who want to keep their trees healthy and pest free.

The Seventh Edition, now named in honor of Dr. P. P. Pirone, who authored the first five editions and co-authored the sixth, has been revised to reflect the enormous amount of new information available since the last edition, including the latest techniques in selecting, planting, and protecting trees. The authors explain how to evaluate the site (the soil, drainage, and exposure), how to select the right tree for that location, and how to prune, fertilize, and spray for pests. There is an extensive section on the diagnosis and control of tree pests and diseases, and on problems such as construction damage, gas injury, sunscald, leaf scorch, and air pollution. While the general structure of the sixth edition has been retained, there are several topics--notably hazardous trees and coping with tree pests and diseases--that have received greater attention than in previous versions of the book. The second half of the book comprises a systematic listing of the major landscape trees found in North America, describing the specific pests and diseases that attack each species.

Well organized, clearly written, and beautifully illustrated with many new photographs, Pirone's Tree Maintenance is an encyclopedic resource, the first place to turn for information on dogwoods and elms, magnolias and redwoods, or any other tree growing in North America. Anyone serious about gardening will want this book on their shelf.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111877 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 560 pages

About the Author

P.P. Pirone is Plant Pathologist Emeritus at the New York Botanical Garden. John Hartman is Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Kentucky, and an award-winning member of the International Society of Arboriculture. Thomas P. Pirone (the author's son) is Professor and former Chairman of the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Kentucky. Mary Ann Sall has a Ph.D. in Forest Pathology and was formerly a member of the faculty of the University of California, Davis.

Customer Reviews

Practical introduction for the novice arborist
This classic text gives a broad introduction to the field of tree management, including common health problems associated with trees and practical advice for solving them. It is an excellent primer for the novice arborist.

Another book on my Horticulture Short List
Pirone's Tree Maintenance (Seventh Edition) is one of about a half dozen books I keep within arms reach. While Parts I and II provide a fantastic amount of information on the care of trees and identifying problem, it is Part III that I use the most. This section lists common insects, diseases, and problems associated with specific tree species. While by no means comprehensive, it is an excellent place to start when trying to figure out what is going on with a tree.

Like any such book, be careful when looking at the pesticide recomendations. Chemicals come and go and the labels change (and the authors remind you of that). There are several products that are off the market that are listed in this book.

Worth every penny for arborists and homeowners alike
Printed by Oxford University Press, Pirone's Tree Maintenance has the heft and durability to withstand countless consultations. The text is informative beyond measure and very readable. The photography is black-and-white and didn't reproduce all that well, especially for small and detailed items; photos range from 'Fig. 7-15. Brush chipper and dump truck' (oh please...) to a hollowed-out, decayed Silver Maple resting comfortably on what appears to be a four-bedroom Dutch Colonial (illustrating the section on Identifying Hazard Trees). Good section on insects and diseases (with the caveat that the photos aren't that great); excellent tree-specific section. You will learn a lot from this book--it's a must if you want to rely on another source besides the local tree guy with a chainsaw.