American Horticultural Society Pruning and Training
The American Horticultural Society Pruning and Training, by Christopher Brickell (editor) and David Joyce (DK Publishing, 1996; $35), is packed with over 1,500 photos and illustrations that inspire and instruct. This book is an incredible reference for all pruning questions. It's divided into sections according to plant type (ornamental trees, fruiting trees, ornamental shrubs, soft fruits, climbing plants, and roses), making it easy to use. In addition to the standard styles and basic practices of pruning, you'll learn about stylish and unusual techniques such as espalier, topiary, pollarding, coppicing, and pleaching. If you want to really kick your pruning knowledge up a notch, this is the book for you.
The following Web sites from the International Society of Arboriculture provide great information to guide gardeners in proper tree planting and pruning techniques. Check out these sites when you're getting ready to plant or prune trees.
New Tree Planting:
Pruning Young Trees:
Pruning Mature Trees: