Japanese Maples

Description

This is among the first books published by Timber Press, and after more than two decades it continues to be one of our signature bestsellers. A comprehensive source of information on the culture, identification, and nomenclature of Japanese maples, it describes each of the 320 cultivars of Acer palmatum and 60 cultivars of other Japanese maple species, plus briefly mentions 150 promising new plants. The index lists every horticultural name published, ensuring that "Japanese Maples" will continue to be the foremost reference book on this wonderfully versatile collection of ornamental plants. This fully updated third edition has been revised by Peter Gregory and is even more international than its predecessors. It adds approximately 100 important new maple hybrids and selections that have been introduced since the last revision by Vertrees in 1987, bringing to nearly 400 the total number of plants described. Nomenclature has been updated to conform to current standards, many additional photographs have been included, and descriptions have been rearranged for greater ease of reference.

J. D. Vertrees (1915a"1993) was an entomologist, nurseryman, and educator who collected rare and unusual maples. At one time, his 1A -acre arboretum at Maplewood Nursery in Roseburg, Oregon, had the largest collection of Japanese maples in the United States. He amassed an impressive list of awards during his lifetime, including a Citation for Horticulture Research from the American Horticultural Society, a Special Achievement Award from the Oregon Association of Nurserymen, and the 1980 Thomas Roland Gold Medal from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. In 1997, Japanese Maples was selected by the American Horticultural Society as one of the 75 Great American Garden Books. Peter Gregory, retired manager of the world-famous Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire, England, has researched maples and other trees for more than 40 years. He began a career in tree research with the Forestry Commission Research Division and conducted various projects for more than thirty years, including provenance studies, species trials, and experiments on various plant establishment techniques, especially on difficult areas such as exposed sand dunes, mountain slopes, peat bogs, and infertile soils. For five years he managed the Royal Forests of Yardley Chase and Salcey in Northamptonshire before being appointed as manager at the world-famous Westonbirt Arboretum, one of the largest collections of trees in the temperate world-especially famous for its wonderful variety of maples of all species, ages, shapes, and sizes. He has continued his studies of maples since his retirement, becoming Chairman of the international Maple Society, which he helped found in 1990, and Editor of the Society's quarterly journal. He is recognized internationally as one of the leading authorities in all aspects of maples. Peter lives in Cirencester, England, where - besides trees - he enjoys photography, climbing, tennis, and squash.

It is an absolute must for anyone interested in including any of these beautiful plants in the garden. This revised and expanded edition of Japanese Maples will be a bible for nurserymen, collectors, and gardeners for years to come. -- Harry Olsen Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin 20011129 Since 1978, the basic information source on these small trees has been Japanese Maples by J. D. Vertrees. Now, we have a valuable new third edition greatly enlarged and brought up to date by maple expert Peter Gregory. -- John Van de Water Newark Star-Ledger 20011021 Whether planting a single specimen tree or seriously collecting maples, this is the reference book to consult. -- D. H. Pfister Choice 20011107 The ultimate book about the aristocrat of trees ... the only English-language reference devoted to Japanese maples and one of the preeminent texts in the world for the propagation, identification and cultivation of this exceptionally useful plant. -- Joel M. Lerner Washington Post 20011208 This book [is] a most valued one for horticulturalists, nursery personnel, and gardeners of all sorts... There is no reason for the science and art associated with these great arboreal symbols to be neglected. Their care, preservation, and propogation are fully and expertly documented herein. -- James H. Flynn Jr. American Reference Books Annual 20010423 Beautifully done. Taxon 20011116 This book is considered by many to be the sine qua non and the authoriative source on this wonderful group of maple trees... Caution: You may get hooked. -- George Graine Virginia Master Gardeners Association Report 20030123 [This book] will meet the needs of all readers, but especially amateur gradeners, avid plant enthusiasts, and commercial nursery professionals. -- Gary Jennings Sida, Contributions to Botany 20020303 Still one of the best reference books I've found on Japanese Maples, so far. -- Nicola Green Whaley Leaf 20031029 The ultimate resource on Japanese maples is a book by the same name: Japanese Maples, Third Edition. -- Barbara Perry Lawton St. Louis Post-Dispatch 20060825 The definitive book on these lovely trees. -- Valerie Easton Seattle Times 20061129