Recommended reading or courses.

[The BJG]

Just wondered if anyone here had any books or part time courses they'd particularly recommend as good on tree care.

 

I'm working through my nptc certs but obviously as has been pointed out on here before, they really only teach you how to not hurt yourself while doing the job.

 

I want to learn a bit about tree diseases and fungi that affect them, when and how they should be pruned etc.

 

I do find lurking around here and reading peoples threads is a great help, Any books or courses you can recommend I'd be very grateful.

 

Thanks

 

Ben

[Joy Yeomans]

a very good book that hubbie likes and talks about alot is "the body language of trees" i think its called, shows how trees grow and the way different branch compositions give different tensions/compressions - well something like that anyway - Im Hort, not Arb - but I know he refers to the book alot when talking to me about how a tree "stands" when we go on walks in the forest or look at trees on sites etc - hes a bit of an anorak on that subject - the one he liked learning about when at college

[Bart]

I found this a good read

 

Trees-Their Use, Management, Cultivation and Biology by Bob Watson

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

a very good book that hubbie likes and talks about alot is "the body language of trees" i think its called, shows how trees grow and the way different branch compositions give different tensions/compressions - well something like that anyway - Im Hort, not Arb - but I know he refers to the book alot when talking to me about how a tree "stands" when we go on walks in the forest or look at trees on sites etc - hes a bit of an anorak on that subject - the one he liked learning about when at college

 

That is one of my faves too!

 

great book that will "open your mind and eyes":thumbup1:

 

steer clear of shigo for now, save it for later on.

 

A good all round book worth the investment covering most aspects that youll want is " trees- thier use, managment cultivation and biology" by Bob Watson avaliable from Joe Ryan at http://www.treesource.co.uk

 

Check out her site, I cant reccomend tree source highly enough, always helpfull full of good advice and a service that is first class.

[paradise]

If I can piggy-back on this thread, I've been on the look-out for a comprehensive guide to pruning and care that would cover every reasonably common species in detail. The best I've seen so far is The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers by Brown, but if there's something even more comprehensive out there I'd love to know. Does anyone know of anything?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

If I can piggy-back on this thread, I've been on the look-out for a comprehensive guide to pruning and care that would cover every reasonably common species in detail. The best I've seen so far is The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers by Brown, but if there's something even more comprehensive out there I'd love to know. Does anyone know of anything?

 

you have just about the best one, but good pruning section in matheny and clarks trees shrubs and vines integrated managment 4th edition

[paradise]

Ouch! That is pricey hamadryad. Thanks for recommendation though - I'll look out for it second hand.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Ouch! That is pricey hamadryad. Thanks for recommendation though - I'll look out for it second hand.

 

lol i know what you mean, but wait till your REALLY into the books, prognosis and diagnosis of the wood decay larger version, cant remember the name right downstairs cant be asked to get it! 105 quid!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

the price is understandable on these txts, they are low prints, not enough demand.

[The BJG]

Brilliant. Thank you all for contributions so far.

 

Expanding it out a little bit, a guy I do some general garden work with now and again when I get bigger jobs in, did a course last year.

He had a complete career change and came from teaching into gardening. He did a general hort course at a local college over a period of twelve months, one day a week. He says it worked well for him as he was able to work 4 days a week on his gardening business and do a day at college.

However they don't do a similar style arb course. It's full time or nothing.

 

Do such arb courses exist? Preferably South West, but even a remote learning course I guess. The more I learn, the more I realise there is to learn.