I have been reading the thread on Maples Reference Books. But it has so many suggestions on good reference books that i can´t deside which books to by. So help me chose TWO. One that covers all maples(no cultivars) with hardiness zones and good pictures, and one with palmatum cultivars with good pictures and if possible tips on growing,seedling care,etc. Acer friends unite and agree on two books you cant live without.
For a book on the palmatum cultivars I don't think you will beat "Japanese Maples" 4th edition, Vertrees and Gregory. Not so sure about the other one, "Maples for Gardens", van Gelderen and van Gelderen , is good but it includes many cultivars as well as species.
Also worth getting Rushforth, K. (1999), Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9. It covers just over 70 species of maple (all of the species native to, or frequently cultivated in, Europe), with detailed descriptions and (small) photos for most of them. Covers lots of other trees as well of course.
"Maples for Gardens" was intended by the authors as the photographic companion to "Maples of the World". It has pictures and concise descriptions. If you want the definitive study and all the pictures you will need to buy both.
