Excellent new book just come out (published 19 May 2009): New Trees: Recent Introductions to Cultivation by John Grimshaw & Ross Bayton, Kew / IDS, 976 pages. ISBN 978-1-84246-173-0. Available from http://www.kewbooks.com details at http://www.kewbooks.com/asps/ShowDetails.asp?id=795 Covers all of the temperate climate trees that have been introduced into cultivation since about 1980, plus a few that had been introduced earlier but were overlooked in older books, or have had significant new material (additional subspecies or varieties) introduced. Over 800 species covered altogether.
The book is listed on Amazon (Canada) but is not available. As for the International Dendrology Society, I would be interested in joining but the web site is almost non-existant and you seem to need to write to them, be nominated by a member who knows you, then receive the secret password. Is there a simplier way to join this group? Is there a list of Canadian members somewhere? Michael
I was nominated by other Americans. I know two other members that live in my little backwater metropolitan area. You may find there is someone in your area that is a member, perhaps someone you already know personally.
How exactly do you find out who is a member if there is no list available? My little backwater is 7000 people.
I agree with mrtree concerning the method of membership into the International Dendrology society . Seems rather strange, if not pompous of the International Dendrology Society. I belong to several Citrus societies, and all of the societies that I am a member, gladly allow any and all who are interested in learning about citriculture into their membership. - Millet (1,336-)
It is not snobbery at all. Many of the International Societies are peer member organizations. Essentially the reasoning for such standards of membership was meant to lock out or forbid people that were considered to be non qualified from joining. For Ron and perhaps Michael, as well, it was an honor for them to be nominated. I do think that the criteria used in the past for memberships in several Societies nowadays has been measured not to dissuade anyone that has a strong or genuine interest in becoming a member. It is not like we are forced to have a Ph.D. in a Natural Science, Botanical or Agronomic related field any more to fast track ourselves as being members now but having an advanced degree and being in either an applied position and/or a scholastic one sure helps. The little guy that wants to become a member in select Societies that has little qualifications in plants has a tough road to hoe unless someone of stature can vouch for them. Not just anyone propagating plants were allowed to join the IPPS in years past. A lot of current day nurserymen would not have qualified for membership without recognized credibility by their peers in plants or from the intellectual community. Usually newly published books from an International Society will become available elsewhere from book venders and online booksellers. Give it a year or two and then watch these books become more freely offered for sale on Abebooks, Alibris and Amazon. A case in point for me was a book that was referenced in a Scientific American article. I made the mistake of wanting the book 25 years ago and had to have permission from the author to buy it - did not know that until after I had already ordered it. I just waited two years and was able to buy a copy right off the bookshelf from the same bookstore I originally ordered it from. The Society journals and the Society published books are not so easily found on the bookshelves, so going through an online book source may be the only way to go. I've bought a lot of Journals this way much like how you, Millet, know how I found a series of Hilgardia articles not always offered in the US from a German bookseller source selling through Abebooks. Jim
A select society? Perhaps you mean imbred as well as snobbish since they choose who can join. As for non-qualified individuals, how do you qualify? Be wealthy lord? Perhaps have an over-paid civil service job, work at Kew. What about the serious amateur toiling away using their own money and time. WHat about those toiling away in far off lands, by themselves, who finally have access to the internet but not friends in a select society. Lets make sure that only the select have access to such an important bunch of knowledge that the IDS is protecting. Oh and lets not forget that you cannot be learning, you must have reached the standard magically. Bahh!!!!!
Why would they assist? they have no idea who I am and it appears that means I am not suitable for IDS. Apparently you need to know somebody and have pleased them. Ah well Britian has lost the empire, but they can hold on to their clubs.
>Ah well Britian has lost the empire, but they can hold on to their clubs< Apparently so. http://images.google.com/images?hl=...V9&q=british golfer&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
