The Pruning Book

by Lee Reich

Book Overview

Every gardener knows that pruning makes plants healthier, more fruitful, and more beautiful. But most gardeners wince at the thought of pruning. In The Pruning Book, master horticulturist Lee Reich provides a remedy for "fear of pruning, " making this dreaded task almost fun.

In easy-to-read, engaging language, Reich gives specific methods for pruning hundreds of species from the cold climates to the tropics. He...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561583162
• ISBN13: 9781561583164
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Taunton Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Pruning Advice for Espalier

Reading the section on pruning espaliers (plus the Plant Response to Pruning) gave me an "Aha" moment. While most espalier pruning articles I had read offered only advice on shaping and where to cut, he explained the reasoning behind the type of cuts one makes, why the tree reacts the way it does, and some of the issues to look out for. He writes in a style that is easy to understand. I have two espaliers (cherry and apple) that I left alone all summer because I was intimidated by the lack of knowledge I had at the time. Not anymore! Well, sadly it's getting to be too late to make the pruning cuts needed, but this winter I will start in earnest to make these trees beautiful and (hopefully) full of fruit next year!

Great Book

Very useful book. I am a beginner gardener, so it has been very useful to me. Almost every plant/tree/bush at our new house was overgrown - and the book gave me great insight into what to do about it.

The Pruning Book by Lee Reich

The day I received this book, I immediately began to use it. I had wanted to make a hedge of some beautiful crape mytrle by our back door. The book gave detailed instructions and pictures. The mytrle has already started to leaf into a bush after only a few weeks. I know they will be perfect and I would not have known exactly how it should be done without the book. I had a general idea, but the book's instructions were much better. I am anxiously awaiting fall for some other pruning projects. Pruning season had ended for a number of bushes and trees before I could get pruning accomplished.

Practical, clear advice for pruning of all sorts

I first encountered this book at the local library, and liked it so much I wanted to own it myself. I couldn't part with it. The writing style, illustrations, organization, and advice are all clear, straightforward, and sensible. In addition, the author's enthusiasm for the subject makes this more than a reference guide, and during long winters it can serve as an inspiration for the seasons ahead.

The Pruning Book

I am still currently reading the book. It's packed full of good things. The best thing about it is, if you have a specific type of plant you can go directly to that section and it gives you a clear and detailed way of pruning the plant. I think its a must have for any gardener.