Growing Trees from Seed: A Practical Guide to Growing Native Trees, Vines, and Shrubs.
Description
Contains Photos, Illustrations, Bibliography, Index
$45.00
ISBN 978-1-55407-363-4
DDC 635.9'77
Publisher
Year
Contributor
Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.
Review
Planting native tree, shrub, and vine species, according to Kock, “is a nearly sacred act.” It’s not surprising, then, that he brings to this comprehensive work the tone of a man on a mission, a mission to preserve the genetic diversity of our native woody plants.
With a style made rich by both depth of knowledge and enthusiasm, the book covers the territory from locating and identifying appropriate seeds to collecting them, extracting seeds from the fruit, treating, germinating, planting, transplanting, and protecting the seedling. The growth rate and ecology are examined as part of successfully matching plants to local conditions.
The heart of the work is a detailed look at over 80 woody plant groups, or genera, with many species discussed within each genus, making this a bible on the seeds of several hundred species. For example, 10 types of maples are discussed under the genus acer, six birches under the genus betula, etc. In addition to the widely known trees such as firs, oaks, hawthorns, ashes, and beeches, there are lots of flowering shrubs, vines, and lesser known trees such as pawpaw, musclewood, Kentucky coffee tree, and toothache tree. Throughout this alphabetical (by genus) guide section, “exotic alert” cautions are use to warn of naturalized imported species that may be confused with the true native.
The book’s focus is the Great Lakes watershed, but most of the species discussed have ranges extending well beyond that, making it a useful tutorial for those attempting to grow woody plants from seed, regardless of location.
The book is attractively illustrated with informative black and white sketches on nearly every page—some 160 drawings in total. As well, an album of over 90 colour photos further aid identification by featuring foliage, fruit, and flowers.
Supporting materials include a list of invasive species, a seed dispersal calendar, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index.
The author’s stated objective is to help the reader understand and appreciate plants as part of a diverse community worth preserving, to come to “think like a seed.” Mission accomplished.