Growing Trees from Seed: A Practical Guide to Growing Native Trees, Vines and Shrubs

This is a sweet book. First off, I should say that the author died before the book was 100 percent completed. His partner and several friends stepped in to finish the work. These acts of kindness are reflected in the book. It's plain and simple: sweet, informative, and definitely worth owning this book.Someone said this book is kind of regional, kind of written for the Great Lakes area. That someone must use "kind of" and "absolutely, 100 percent" interchangeably. This book is 100 percent written for the Great Lakes region, and while others outside the region will find it partially helpful, those in the Great Lakes area will find it extremely helpful. The book is written in a folksy/yet informational way--it does not use a lot of researcher-ese.The author(s) was obviously very passionate about the subject. I'm new to growing seedling trees from seeds. This book is a exactly what I was looking for. Yes, it could be better. More color photos of seeds and cones. Other than that I'm glad I bought it. If you're new to wanting to gather and plant seeds of trees native to the Great Lakes, this is an excellent book.One other thing: Kock's partner pauses whether she and the co-writers should have completed the book despite the then-dying author's wishes that it not be done ("too many cooks spoil the broth"). The partner made absolutely the right decision in ignoring Kock's wishes and finishing the book. When a piece of artwork is undertaken, the dying author does NOT get to take it to the grave and deprive the rest of humanity the benefit of what humanity has created. Mr. Kock did NOT undertake his book research in a vacuum--he was the beneficiary of humanity's resources. And thus should give back what he borrowed--without question. At the time, however, Mr. Kock was dying and can be forgiven his decision. All of us, however, continue to benefit from the work of humanity through Mr. Kock.This book is probably not a big seller, but it should be in this age of climate warming. Instead of hiking in the woods and taking back only memories, people should hike, pick up seeds, and get them to grow into trees. It would connect people to the land. And let me tell you, growing oak trees from acorns is an exciting venture, much better the surfing the Internet endlessly.Mr. Kock, Ms. Hansen, and co-authors: WELL DONE. Great book. Everyone (at least who loves the Great Lakes region) should read this book and plant some tree seeds. For the sake of Gaia and humanity.

Half of the book is about general principles of growing trees from seed and the other half gives specifics of growing particular tree species found in the Great Lakes region. There was no mention in the description or on the cover that they only have information on trees from there. It's a fine book but half of it is useless information for me.

As a plant ecologist specializing in tree species restoration, I can say that this book offers information that other books on the subject do not cover, and so is a great complement to other guides and manuals. If I could thank Henry Kock, I would. Thanks to the rest of the authors for getting his wisdom and knowledge out there to the rest of us.

Wow, I recommend this if you are interested in any of the species in the book. Great beginner guide, will try to grow soon

Great book for Native North American tree's. A little one sided in the view point no non-native Tree's should be grown. Very good information. More than half the book is a tree by tree of how to collect and grow each type of tree and their problems (Latin name first....he is a teacher)

Good book to use to grow tree seed from. And is full of good imformation and also goes over many things that one needs to know

just what I wanted

Great book. Interesting and informative.

Book looks good - detailed and interesting. But I won’t be reading it. The title (and cover) are misleading. This book is only about how to plant trees indigenous to the USA. As such it is of little use to anyone is Europe. But it doesn’t refer to this anywhere on the Amazon page.

America and Canada

Comprehensive guide for temperate species. Nice work.

This is a wonderful book. Not only does it discuss growing trees from seeds, it discusses why a species of trees grows in a particular spot in the woods. It explains the habitat and location of specific tree, vine or shrub so when you are out in the woods you can make sense of why you are seeing a tree in a specific location.

Abgesehen von den vielen Kenntnisreichen Anweisungen zum Anziehen von (allerdings vornehmlich nordamerikanischen) Gehölzen aus Samen, ist dem Buch die tiefe Liebe des Autors zu den Pflanzen anzumerken.Da er schon vor Jahren verstarb ist es ein literarisches Vermächtnis zur Kultivierung einer lebendigen und artenreichen Welt am Beispiel ihrer holzigen Bewohner.Sehr lesenswertes Buch und begleitender Ratgeber in diesem Metier.