How to Prune Trees & Shrubs: Easy Techniques for Timely Trimming. A Storey BASICS® Title

This is a terrific how-to book for gardeners of any skill set. The book is divided into two sections. The first section explains the proper tools to use and their care, the different types of cuts and when to make them, how to make the cuts depending on purpose, tips and suggestions for plant selection, and what to avoid. In addition, the book also explains why pruning is necessary and beneficial to the plant and, in easy to read language, delves into basic plant biology to explain why trees and shrubs respond to pruning and injury the way they do and how to minimize the injury to the plant. The second section is a quite thorough list of the proper pruning techniques and timetables for trees (including weeping, conifer and fruit trees), shrubs, vines (including fruit bearing vines), brambles and roses. There is also a handy guide to pruning for privacy, something I have not seen in other pruning books I own. Ms. Ellis also talks about when it is time to call in the professionals and makes some recommendations here also.I was impressed at the number of deciduous and evergreen trees and bushes, vines, brambles and roses listed in section two. Even my lowly little Witch Hazel bush is listed much to my surprise and delight. This book is a must read for every weekend gardener and should be on every gardener's reading shelf as a constant resource and reminder of when and what to prune and when not to prune. In all honesty, I have been afraid to plant fruit trees because of my fear of pruning them incorrectly. The pages dedicated to fruit tree pruning are very thorough and even though I know there are resources on the internet Ms. Ellis pulls everything together so perfectly in this book that I may just get over my fear of fruit trees.Throughout the book there are clear, easy to understand instructions and drawings (even some before and afters) so even a total klutz like me can't go wrong. There is a handy glossary in the back of the book explaining gardening terms, a metric conversion chart and a list of additional book resources for anyone interested in furthering their knowledge.So often pruning books can be confusing to the novice gardener but I never felt overwhelmed reading this book. It was just as if a good friend, who also happens to be a master arborist, is standing at your elbow as you pick up your saw or pruners and prepare for that first cut. Nothing is said without an explanation given as to how, what, where or when. The book is titled as a book for beginners but I think it would be helpful to all levels of gardeners if only for section two alone. It would also make a terrific gift with perhaps a good pair of gardening gloves and a quality hand saw or hand pruners.I wholeheartedly recommend this book. If I could, I would give it ten stars I am that enthusiastic about it.

Very direct and to-the-point. Good overview of pruning basics and techniques.A bit disappointed to find nothing on citrus/orange pruning suggestions. It comes with specific instructions for almost every other kind of tree, but inexplicably, not citrus.

How to Prune Trees and Shrubs is another great entry in the Storey Basics line of books. This 'how-to' series features brief, direct, but easy to follow steps on a variety of topics, from cooking to gardening. Each book features hand drawn illustrations and typically come in under 150 pages, making the subject easy to understand and immediately useful.How To Prune Trees and Shrubs breaks down as follows: Introduction, Part One: Pruning Techniques and Tools (Pruning and plant growth, Pruning cuts, Prune with a purpose, Tools of the trade); and Part Two: Pruning Plant By Plant (Pruning trees, Pruning fruit trees, Pruning shrubs, Pruning roses, Pruning vines). Glossary, suggested reading, metric conversion chart, index.The book explains the various pruning tools and goes over the basics that are true to most plants when it comes to pruning. Angles to cut, where to cut, reasons why you do and don't want to cut, healing and plant growth, and the differences between cutting trees, plants, and bushes are all discussed in the first part. The second half of the book is devoted to specifics: types of trees and how/when to prune, types of bushes, and then types of vines are discussed. Also important, the book has great information on when a professional should be called in instead.The Storey Basics line is a great resource - a place to get started to understanding a subject and get right to work making or doing. Nearly all books can be read in an hour or so time and then be used as an immediate resources. Because they are brief, they don't fully cover the subject in minute detail; instead, the purpose of the books is to give all the knowledge to get one started. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

This was an excellent book. It was full of great handy tips and hints to help all budding gardeners like myself! I will admit that before I read the book I didn't know when it was best to prune, the best tools to use and how to give the plants the best start for the following year - having read the book and purchasing a copy to keep as a reference guide, I do feel more prepared now and ready to have a go at cutting back in the garden.

A neat helpful book for the gardeners