Native trees grow much faster than non-native trees. But even experienced horticulturists can be mystified about how nature sows and germinates seeds especially acorns and walnuts. Thanks to this book, any gardener can now grow trees from seeds within as little as ten years. The secrets are to know what seeds to collect and how to prepare and plant them. From their extensive knowledge, the authors guide the reader in identifying native trees, vines and shrubs and describe howto propagate them. Growing Trees from Seed covers the ecology, abundance, fruit characteristics and edibility of the more than 200 species discussed in this book. There is expert guidance on when to gather fruits, how to extract seeds from the fruit, and when and how to treat and germinate the seed, plus information on transplanting and expected growth rate. Alerts throughout the book identify closely related non-native species now common to various regions. Many illustrations and descriptions help the reader with plant identification. A seed-treatment guide provides a handy reference. Among the trees, vines and shrubs covered are: Alders - Beeches - Berries - Birches - Cedars - Cherries - Chestnuts - Clematis - Dogwoods - Elms - Firs and pines - Hickories - Junipers - Laurels - Maples - Oaks - Plums - Poplars - Spruces - Walnuts - Willows. There is no better guidebook on how to grow native trees from seed. [Kock] and his co-authors cover the ecology, abundance, fruit characteristics and edibility of more than 200 trees, vines, and shrubs... He was a passionate teacher and advocate for propagating and saving native woody plants. -- Ken Smith ― The London Free Press Published On: 2008-10-11 A guiding hand and inspiration. ― The Washington Post Published On: 2008-10-09 If you want to know how to look after plants, there was never a better person to ask [than Henry Kock]. He could take the complex bits and pieces of horticulture and make you understand the parts you need to know. The secrets of trees are secrets no longer... Kock helps us understand the how and why of it all. Three of Kock's colleagues, Paul Aird, John Ambrose and Gerry Waldron, are to be thanked for taking an almost complete book and pulling it together so well. It's a grand testament to Henry's life. -- Alan Pickersgill ― Tribune (Guelph ON); The View From Here at www.alanpickersgill.ca Published On: 2008-10-14 Starting a tree from a seed is not just rewarding. It's a way to vegetate your landscape cheaply while fighting global warming and perserving biodiversity. For Henry Kock...it became an obsession. He spent more than two decades learning the singular germination needs of various native trees and shrubs, and decided he would share his secrets with others in a new book. -- Adrian Higgins ― San Francisco Examiner Published On: 2008-10-09 I have been growing trees from seed since 1952... I wish this book had been available to me when I began, so that I could have avoided making all my own mistakes!... Throughout the book, Kock shows an acute awareness of the virtues of native trees.... Growing Trees from Seed is not merely a how-to reference...it gives the reader a context, philosophy, and background that I have not often seen elsewhere. -- Guy Sternberg, founder, Starhill Forest Aboretum, Petersburg IL, author and photographer of Native T ― The American Gardener, American Horticultural Society, Sept/Oct 2008 Book Reviews Published On: 2008-10-31 [Kock] and his co-authors cover the ecology, abundance, fruit characteristics and edibility of more than 200 trees, vines and shrubs... The text includes 70 colour photographs and 240 black-and-white illustrations to help with identification. -- Ken Smith ― The London Free Press Published On: 2008-10-11 I grew a native magnolia from seed once after taking a course at the Royal Botanical Gardens... I nursed it through three seasons before I killed it by moving it at the wrong time. To avoid such foolish mistakes,[this] book might be your best companion. -- Kathy Renwald ― The Hamilton Spectator Published On: 2008-09-25 Informative ... An invaluable resource. -- Judy Love, diggin'it blog ― Christian Science Monitor Published On: 2008-11-18 Kock's passion for the environment and trees shines through, and this makes the book not only a rich and detailed resource for gardening enthusiasts at all levels but also a fitting tribute. Recommended for all public and academic libraries with horticultural collections. -- Lisa A. Ennis, University of Alabama at Birmingham Library ― Library Journal Published On: 2008-11-01 This authoritative book could not have come at a more opportune time.... The book covers everything from tree identification, finding seed, taking seed to seedlings, restoring the natural balance and controlling invasive species. Line drawings abound to help readers with understanding the subject. -- Donald McClure ― The County Weekly News (Picton ON) Published On: 2008-11-28 I get a