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The Pruning Book: Completely Revised and Updated Paperback – January 12, 2010
Here's the brand new edition of our award-winning reference book on pruning ―revised to include lots of additional information and enhanced illustrations.
With expert advice on the latest techniques and valuable insights on new plants, this updated version of The Pruning Book deserves a prominent place in your gardening library.
From humble houseplants to the most amazing exotics, author Lee Reich explains all the dos and don'ts of cutting back. So you'll always make the right cut the first time ― every time.
Reich demystifies even the most complex pruning strategies by providing the precise timing and exact techniques you'll need to guarantee healthy growth and beautiful form.
In great detail, he walks you through the process of pruning everything from ornamental trees and bushes to topiaries and bonsai. And all his insights are delivered with clear, straightforward prose and supported by 250 colorful photos and 135 drawings.
Whether you're a professional gardener, a landscape veteran ―or pruning for the very first time ―this essential reference gives you everything you need to master the subtle art of pruning.
- Print length240 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherTaunton Press
- Publication dateJanuary 12, 2010
- Dimensions8.5 x 0.5 x 10.88 inches
- ISBN-101600850952
- ISBN-13978-1600850950
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Reviews of the previous edition: “With its straightforward prose and diagram, "The Pruning Book" is a good antidote to ‘pruning panic’, an affliction known to experienced and novice gardeners alike.” "Country Living Gardener" “Reich does a super job of simplifying what can be a confusing topic. . .Lots of pictures and sketches help immensely…At last someone has laid out the ground rules to decipher the mess once and for all.” --"Sunday Patriot-News" “A more detailed approach and covers a wide variety of plants. . . Of particular value are the explanations of timing and techniques for pruning deciduous ornamental bushes.” --"Detroit"" News and Free Press" “The author is an accomplished horticulturist and garden writer, and he melds these two talents to achieve a book that is both informative and easy to read…This book should be in the library of all serious gardeners and landscape maintain
Reviews of the previous edition: "With its straightforward prose and diagram, "The Pruning Book" is a good antidote to 'pruning panic', an affliction known to experienced and novice gardeners alike." "Country Living Gardener" "Reich does a super job of simplifying what can be a confusing topic. . .Lots of pictures and sketches help immensely...At last someone has laid out the ground rules to decipher the mess once and for all." --"Sunday Patriot-News" "A more detailed approach and covers a wide variety of plants. . . Of particular value are the explanations of timing and techniques for pruning deciduous ornamental bushes." --"Detroit"" News and Free Press" "The author is an accomplished horticulturist and garden writer, and he melds these two talents to achieve a book that is both informative and easy to read...This book should be in the library of all serious gardeners and landscape maintainers."--"HortScience"
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Taunton Press; 2nd Revised, Updated ed. edition (January 12, 2010)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 240 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1600850952
- ISBN-13 : 978-1600850950
- Item Weight : 1.65 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.5 x 10.88 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #240,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #125 in Landscape
- #179 in Gardening & Horticulture Reference (Books)
- #224 in Gardening Encyclopedias
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Lee Reich, PhD dove into gardening over 40 years ago, initially with one foot in academia, as an agricultural scientist with the USDA and Cornell University, and one foot in the field, the organic field. He eventually expanded his field to a farmden (more than a garden, less than a farm) and left academia to lecture (garden clubs, master gardener conferences, flower and garden shows, botanical garden symposia, and USDA conferences), consult, and write. He is the author a number of books and his syndicated column for Associated Press appears bimonthly in newspapers from coast to coast.
Lee’s farmden has been featured in Martha Stewart Living and The New York Times, and won “Most Beautiful Vegetable Garden” award in Organic Gardening magazine. Besides providing a year ‘round supply of fruits and vegetables, the farmden has an educational mission (www.leereich.com/workshops) and is a test site for innovative techniques in soil care, pruning, and food production. Science and an appreciation of natural systems underpin his work.
For more about Lee and his work, see www.leereich.com. His weekly blog (www.leereich.com/blog) recounts what's happening on the farmden; for videos, see www.leereich.com/video; for upcoming lectures see www.leereich.com/lectures.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book provides useful pruning tips for gardeners of all skill levels. It's easy to understand, with clear explanations and pictures of various plants. The coverage is comprehensive and extensive. However, opinions differ on the value for money - some find it reasonably priced and better than described, while others consider it worthless with missing text and a non-working index.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book provides useful pruning tips for gardeners. They say it's a comprehensive guide covering all types of plants and trees. The advice is professional and helpful, making them feel confident about pruning properly.
"...The book provides a couple of chapters that explain the intricacies of pruning and the general background knowledge that one needs before chopping..." Read more
"...well laid out, with an introductory 30 pages that explain why and how to prune, then specific sections on different types of plants...." Read more
"...Anyway - you'll find this book chock full of useful pruning tips including shaping, shortening and even how to create your very own Mickey Mouse..." Read more
"...Good info for casual gardeners as well as the more seasoned individual...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to understand and informative. They appreciate the clear instructions and diagrams. The book provides detailed information for both beginners and experienced pruners.
"...It makes it very understandable and gives you a solid foundation based on which you can experiment based on what you know...." Read more
"...The illustrations (both drawings and photos) are very clear, and the book is well laid out, with an introductory 30 pages that explain why and how..." Read more
"...I have numerous gardening books and this is one of the better reference manuals I own." Read more
"...It's well written, beautifully designed, and clearly illustrated. It covers both general principles and individual species...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's visual content. They find the pictures and diagrams helpful for visual learners. The book is well-written and organized, with an introductory section of 30 pages.
"...(both drawings and photos) are very clear, and the book is well laid out, with an introductory 30 pages that explain why and how to prune, then..." Read more
"Great book with good visual pictures and descriptions of cutting techniques...." Read more
"...It's well written, beautifully designed, and clearly illustrated. It covers both general principles and individual species...." Read more
"...It has photos, for real images of the various plants, illustrations of the same to show how to prune/cut it and the a written explanation of why it..." Read more
Customers find the book covers everything they need to know. They say it's comprehensive and a good reference book.
"...There is an overall pruning overview, but the book goes even further, detailing how each specific fruit tree (or vine) type should be pruned...." Read more
"...It covers everything and is pleasant to read also...." Read more
"...If you want to get one book serious about pruning, this is it. Covers almost everything." Read more
"...It is excellent and pretty comprehensive. I didn't want to be without it. No more loans!" Read more
Customers have different views on the book's value for money. Some find it reasonably priced and better than described, while others say it's worthless with missing text and a non-working index.
"...The tools are inexpensive and a one time purchase. They will keep paying for themselves year after year." Read more
"...can't use this book to apply techniques to the plants in my yard, it is worthless...." Read more
"...Once again, Amazon has listed a book that is reasonably priced and better than described." Read more
"...Great work!Also the price was well below other sources." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2011I'm a novice gardener and have gotten so far in my gardening knowledge, but I have always felt that there was something missing... I knew that pruning was important but I was sure that there was a science behind it that I was simply lacking and therefore didn't dare take my clippers or saw to a tree without first understanding the science behind it!
After a few days with this marvelous book, I went out and bought a new pruning saw and went nuts! The book provides a couple of chapters that explain the intricacies of pruning and the general background knowledge that one needs before chopping anything up. One chapter provides you with knowledge that you need regarding:
* the many types of pruning tools out there
* when to use each type
* how to use these tools
* how to properly store and care for your tools
* how to sharpen your pruning tools
I'm just glad I didn't go out and buy any tools until I had read this book and it really broadened my horizons... for example I used to use a regular wood saw when pruning and I noticed that halfway through the branch the saw would being to jam up as mush would begin to form which would gum up the saw. After reading the book I realized that this type of saw was only intended for use on dried wood and not on green or fresh wood. Once I bought a pruning saw, the job become a lot less tedious and easier to do!
Then for each type of tree or plant, you are referred to a specific chapter where it specifically tells you when during the year to prune that type of plant, how and where to make the cuts and more.
This book really takes the guess work out of pruning. It makes it very understandable and gives you a solid foundation based on which you can experiment based on what you know. For example, I couldn't find anything on tamarind trees, so I had to experiment and it turns out that the golden rule of pruning while the plant is dormant is the way to go... sure I had a week crop this year, but hey... next season is always just around the corner. I have two henna trees, one of which I pruned and the other I just got lazy, and the one I pruned has flowered and has come back well, while the other one is unchanged and is not flowering as it should be.
I strongly recommend this book as the go to guide for anyone who is a gardener or just anyone who is curious about pruning for that matter. I usually tend to buy two to three books about one subject and then read and compare, but I only bought this pruning book and I do not intend on buying another. This is the ultimate go to guide when it comes to pruning for me!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2012I've been learning about pruning in bits and pieces over the last six or seven years. My methods have involved reading extension service websites and lots of trial and error, and even though I'm improving, I often feel like I'm not entirely sure where and when to make that cut.
Lee Reich's book helped me connect the dots. I suspect that an experienced pruner wouldn't get much out of the book, but if you're starting from scratch, The Pruning Book will be perfect. The illustrations (both drawings and photos) are very clear, and the book is well laid out, with an introductory 30 pages that explain why and how to prune, then specific sections on different types of plants.
I don't keep many books, but The Pruning Book is getting a permanent space on the shelf since I suspect I'll be referring back to it for years to come.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2012Have you ever got so excited about something you felt you had to tell someone? Well, this is book about pruning so don't expect anything like that. But I can say the information in here about cutting shrubbery is second to none. Actually - I'm talking about Bob None's book about pruning which is far-and-away a better read.
Anyway - you'll find this book chock full of useful pruning tips including shaping, shortening and even how to create your very own Mickey Mouse bush sculpture out of your neighbors favorite magnolia tree.
If I had to add something though it might be a chapter on 'pruning to hide cars'. I've got a few on my lot and was hoping to find a way to hide them a bit better using trees and stuff. But I still think, since I've had this book read to me, that the landscaping around my mobile home is now the best in the whole dang trailer park.
Buy this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2013Great book with good visual pictures and descriptions of cutting techniques. Good info for casual gardeners as well as the more seasoned individual. I have numerous gardening books and this is one of the better reference manuals I own.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023I am an avid gardener and a member of local garden club. This author is very respected among gardeners.
I own the pruning book and the gardening without weeds book
- Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2020Mr Reich tells you everything you need to know and didn't know you needed to know about pruning. It's well written, beautifully designed, and clearly illustrated. It covers both general principles and individual species. I'll probably save hundreds of times the cost of the book in arborist's fees and have the satisfaction of getting to know my shrubs better.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015We were somewhat disappointed by this book. It does tell you how to prune just about everything, but the way it is laid out makes it a bit hard to use. There are plant lists, but when you look up your particular plant, it doesn't tell you ANYTHING. It took us awhile to figure out that once you find the plant you are looking for, you then have to read that chapter that will tell you how to prune that type of plant. It was a bit confusing and not as user-friendly as I expected.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2010This is a very good book. I don't need to get another, which is a good sign. It has photos, for real images of the various plants, illustrations of the same to show how to prune/cut it and the a written explanation of why it is done like this. It also has introduction to what the plant was initially grown to do, so that when you prune it or force it to do that, it will prosper, whereas when you neglect the inherent traits of what the tree/bush/shrub is naturally inclined to, you will not get a good result. I would get this book again.
Top reviews from other countries
- Andrea dulleReviewed in Canada on August 22, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
An excellent informative easy to read
-
Noemi EReviewed in Spain on April 3, 2013
1.0 out of 5 stars Flojillo y demasiado tecnico
SI no son tus plantas exactamente las que tienes, olvidate. Habla por los codos, todo tecnico pero poco para aprovechar
- Joan WilsonReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is excellent and is a great help when it comes to ...
This book is excellent and is a great help when it comes to pruning. Arrived on time and good condition
- vaderReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Pleased with book