books for a beginner

[Tom Mabbutt]

Alright mate,

 

Heres a few that really helped me on my first course (RFS Cert Arb). You can pick em up pretty cheap.

 

'The Hillier Book of Tree Planting and Management' by Keith D. Rushforth - A good all-round practical arb book. One thing I really like is the fact there is lists of species at the back for specific locations/uses, etc. like -good autumn colour, clayey soils, good street trees, wet sites, etc. The book is a little dated (87) but it still does the job.

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hillier-Book-Tree-Planting-Management/dp/0715385895]The Hillier Book of Tree Planting and Management: Amazon.co.uk: Keith D. Rushforth: Books[/ame]

 

 

 

'Botany for Gardeners' by Brian Capon - Don't be put off by the title. If you want to get a good grounding in the science behind trees this is a cracker. Its a very accessible book too, lots of the science-y books can be a challenge to read, esp. for beginners, but this one explains it all very nicely. I still use it on my arb degree too. Def one of my faves.

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Botany-Gardeners-Brian-Capon/dp/0881926558]Botany for Gardeners: Amazon.co.uk: Brian Capon: Books[/ame]

 

 

oh! How could I forget...this next ones epic and it really is a joy to read. The guys a legend too, he came to college and gave us a really interesting lecture. I reckon this book could be responsible for infecting many people with the arb-bug.

 

'Trees: Their natural history' by Peter Thomas

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trees-Natural-History-P-Thomas/dp/052145963X]Trees: Their Natural History: Amazon.co.uk: P. A. Thomas: Books[/ame]

 

Hope that helps mate.

 

Tom

[Tom Mabbutt]

p.s. I know the last two aren't really health care/pruning but they will be worthy additions to your bookshelf if you haven't got em.

 

Tom