Synopsis
"Trees are our constant companions, signposts on roads and landmarks on open fields," writes Charles Fenyvesi. In Trees, a collection of evocative and insightful essays, Fenyvesi addresses both the home owner in need of practical tree-care advice and the armchair gardener seeking entertainment and escape.
These wisdom-filled essays guide the novice tree-planter through every stage of tree-care--choosing the right tree for the soil, step-by-step planting strategies, pruning tips, soil treatments, and much more....Trees is also for the experienced gardener. Fenyvesi provides in-depth advice on the art of the espalier as well as philosophical ruminations on trees and people. From the Maple to the Hawthorn, the Chestnut to the Oak, the Paulownia to the Catapla, Fenyvesi explores the personalities of trees and their relationship to the planter.
Trees is a beautiful combination of sensitive nature writing and serious gardening and forestry tips. It is the perfect book for a hot summer day under the soothing shade of that favorite maple.
Reviews
In Trees , newspaper columnist Fenyvesi offers a readable collection of essays for the armchair gardener. Basic arboricultural questions are pondered, such as "why a tree?", how to plant and select, and the causes of a tree's untimely death. Because many sources and experts are cited, the practical advice is at times contradictory or repetitious. The core of the volume focuses on 13 trees, interweaving history, horticultural tidbits, and contemporary opinions. Although not an essential purchase, this book may be appreciated where nature writing is popular. A more comprehensive reference work on the history of woody plants is found in Folklore of Trees and Shrubs . This new title in Martin's "Folklore" series, which includes Garden Flower Folklore (Globe Pequot Pr., 1987) and Wildflower Folklore ( LJ 10/15/84), is a compendium of 100 botanical biographies of temperate and tropical trees and shrubs. Each entry includes an illustration, common and scientific names, description, origin, and cultural requirements. But the uniqueness of the book lies in the folklore and fact section that follows each entry. Here we find the often obscure information on the economic uses and symbolism of trees and shrubs. From barrels and boxes to chewing gum and cricket bats, and as tonics and teas to cure everything from indigestion to insanity, trees have carved their niche in human history. Highly recommended for most libraries.
- Virginia A. Henrichs, Chicago Botanic Garden Lib., Glencoe, Ill.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
