The Japanese Art of miniature Trees and Landscape

The Japanese Art of miniature
Trees and Landscape
By Yuji Yoshimura
ISBN 0-8048-0282-3 SC pp.220
Published 1957
Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc.

Although this book is dated, it definitely owns a place on your book shelf. The depth of detail Yuji imparts in this book is just short of his passion for bonsai. You will not find pretty photographs in this book, well at least not the ones you have been accustomed to, but what you will find is extremely well detailed procedures and sketches. With the exception of soil components, it is refreshing to see that the techniques of yesteryear are still very much the norm today.

This book, beyond a doubt, has all of the information the serious bonsai artist needs to know. The authors provide very thorough details about creating bonsai, and take it to the level of science rather than art. However, it is because of this high degree of detail that I was struck with how serious the art really can be. I would tend to recommend Japanese Art of Miniature Trees and Landscapes to the person who is quite dedicated to pursuing the art, and would not recommend it to a person with a more casual interest.

Complete guide to Trees and Shrubs

Complete guide to
Trees and Shrubs
By Ortho Books
ISBN 0897215001 SC pp 224
Published 2004
Meredith Publishing Group

Undoubtedly a comprehensive writing on trees and shrubs. Not only does this volume assist bonsai enthusiasts in plant/tree selections, it is a great assistance in the landscape.

I have found this book extremely useful when making selections for the landscape. It describes in detail the suitability of the tree in relation to any landscape, soil condition. light, hardiness zones to name a few. Whilst this book was not designed with bonsai enthusiasts in mind, individual growth habits of trees and shrubs will greatly assist you in making an informed decision when choosing bonsai subjects.

This book contains an extensive section on pruning and maintenance as applied to the landscape. It is amusing to find some of the guidelines listed in this particular section, have been seen before in bonsai books. It is my opinion that far too many folks just plant out their trees and shrubs without any thought to growth patterns and necessary maintenance, to finally wind up with trees and shrubs that have become unmanageable. Too often these shrubs will find their way to the curbside because of negligence. Trees on the other hand are often frail and fail in severe adverse weather conditions, where a little forethought would have prevented the latter.

A definite asset to anyone's reference library.

Home Gardener’s Problem Solver

Home Gardener’s Problem Solver
by Ortho Books
ISBN 0897215044
Published 2004
Meredith Publishing Group

This book “soft cover” book contains all known diseases and afflictions your plants, flowers, vegetables and trees may be infected with. As previously stated, because it is a book published by “Ortho” the recommended remedies are with the use of “Ortho’s products.” However, they do give the treatment and providing you follow their recommendation as to which chemicals to use for remedy, you should be able to treat your tree to full recovery. The latter is really a problem here in Canada as many pesticides are now banned. In Nova Scotia, outside of organic treatment of pests and diseases or harmless chemicals, there is little alternative. However, the book diagnoses the problem you might have in great detail, including pictures of the possible affliction.

The book is broken down into the following main categories:

a. Houseplants;
b. Lawns;
c. Ground covers;
d. Annuals perennials and bulbs;
e. Trees, shrubs and vines;
f. Vegetables, berries and grapes;
g. Soil, cultural, and climate problems;
h. Gallery of plant diseases;
i. Gallery of insects; and
j. Gallery of weeds, to name a few.