Grow your Community Forestry Library this Winter
The cold, snowy days of winter can be a great time to read up on various topics before spring arrives and we head back outside to begin our community tree planting and pruning, and other woodland management activities.
Penn State Extension is offering a 30% discount on several of its urban forestry guides and publications through April 2026, making it the perfect time to grow your community forestry library. Municipal staff and shade tree commissioners, arborists, landscape architects, and residents can benefit from affordable access to research-based information.
The following publications are available through this special offer:
Landscape Tree Factsheets is an incredible resource for anyone selecting tree species and cultivars for landscapes and urban tree plantings. This full-color book contains information on over 200 tree species and cultivars suitable for use as street trees, evergreen screens, or in urban and suburban landscape settings. Landscape Tree Factsheets begin with advice on analyzing planting sites, trees, and utilities, selecting species and cultivars, procuring trees from nurseries, tree planting techniques, and aftercare. It contains an index of tree names and characteristics, allowing you to determine which trees tolerate site conditions such as poor soil, cold hardiness, or height limitations. It also contains information on insect and disease resistance, fruiting, flowering, and transplantability. Each cultivar of a given species has its own factsheet in the book describing the tree, its mature height and width, advantages and limitations in the landscape, and cultural needs. The back page of each factsheet contains numerous pictures of the tree/cultivar in a landscape or street setting.
Managing Natural Resources: A Guide for Municipal Commissions examines the opportunities and management challenges of integrating green infrastructure into communities. It is a valuable resource for any municipal shade tree commission or municipality wishing to manage its trees and natural resources. It was developed through a partnership between Penn State Extension, the USDA Forest Service, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Planting and Aftercare of Community Trees is a 53-page publication for people who plant trees in public landscapes, such as along streets and in parks. Most of the advice is also useful for anyone planting trees in tough urban and suburban residential landscapes. It is designed to explore the many challenges associated with planting and establishing trees in built landscapes. The publication begins with an in-depth examination of urban soils and proceeds to site modification for remedying compacted and degraded soils, as well as the use of engineered soil. The next section focuses on selecting the right tree for the site, as well as selecting quality nursery stock, and shipping and storage of plant material. The tree planting section explores proper tree planting techniques, plantings in sidewalk cutouts and raised planters, and methods to prevent tree roots from interfering with sidewalks. The aftercare section of the guide discusses proper mulching, staking, watering, fertilizing, and training pruning, which are critical for the survival of newly planted trees in urban and suburban landscapes.
A Guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects is a comprehensive resource that equips readers with the knowledge and tools to evaluate, protect, and maintain trees before, during, and after construction. It discusses tree health, soils, and preconstruction activities, such as conducting a tree inventory, establishing tree protection zones, mapping trees, and developing tree preservation plans that incorporate practices such as fencing, mulching, and retaining walls to prevent construction damage to trees and their root systems.
Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home is a self-directed manual designed to guide small-acreage owners through the process of developing and implementing stewardship projects that effectively improve water quality, air quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, and property value.
Woodland Health Practices Handbook: A Practitioner’s Guide for Creating, Enhancing, and Maintaining Natural Areas is focused is on helping landowners and natural resource managers assess woodland health, develop land care practices, and communicate those recommendations to clients.
Woodland Health Practices Field Guide is a quick-reference pocket field guide providing guidance on implementing land-care practices to help meet landowner goals. Additionally, it provides information on improving woodland health and forest succession.
Take advantage of this special 30% discount offer now by ordering any of these publications through the Penn State Extension Website.
