Book Description

Diseases of Trees and Shrubs is a comprehensive pictorial survey of the diseases of, as well as the environmental damage to, forest and shade trees and woody ornamental plants in the United States and Canada. An authoritative reference, it is also a reliable and handy diagnostic tool that will simplify the identification of specific plant diseases by focusing on signs and symptoms that can be seen with the unaided eye or with a hand lens. This long-needed book gives readers complete, up-to-date information in an easily understood and convenient way. Each of the 247 color plates faces a page of explanatory text covering the biology and ecology (including host and geographic ranges) of the disease-causing agents (pathogens), a list of key references (there are more than 2,250), and, in some cases, black-and-white illustrations of pathogens. Selected information about biological and cultural control is provided. Scientific terms other than Latin names of pathogens are used only when necessary, and a glossary of terms and a comprehensive index are included. The color plates contain more than 1,700 illustrations of the diseases and injuries that some 350 biological agents and environmental factors cause to more than 250 species of plants. The book also serves as a guide to hundreds of other diseases related to those shown. The authors have used three levels of organization for this book. At the first level, diseases caused by biological agents are separated from those caused by environmental stimuli. At the second level, most diseases are grouped according to the plant part affected: leaves, twigs, limbs, roots, trunks, or the entire plant. At the third level, diseases are presented according to the taxonomic relationships among the pathogens. For this major project, the authors examined and photographed diseases and environmental damage in the field, visiting more than 50 states and Canadian provinces. Their book reflects the most important developments in fungal biology and taxonomy, plant bacteriology, virology, and environmentally induced stress in plants. It summarizes information about newly discovered diseases and provides up-to-date accounts of olds ones. Diseases of Trees and Shrubs can be profitable reading for anyone whose technical training does not extend beyond general biology, yet will also be informative to advanced students and plant pathologists. It will be welcomed by agricultural and horticultural advisers, plant inspectors, arborists, nursery professionals, landscapers, foresters, and urban planners. Wayne A. Sinclair is a Professor of Plant Pathology, Howard H. Lyon is Biological Photographer (retired), Department of Plant Pathology, and Warren T. Johnson is Professor of Entomology, all at Cornell University.