How to Landscape to Save Water

Tree City USA Bulletin #17—Sources for More Information

In recent years dozens of books have been published about landscaping and water conservation.

Remember: All book purchases made through our arborday.org link to Amazon.com returns a portion of the sale price to the Arbor Day Foundation to support its educational programs in tree planting and environmental stewardship. Simply go to the Arbor Day Online Books section of this site.

Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and All Climates

by Robert Kourik

This 128-page book is possibly the best there is on drip irrigation. It is an excellent reference for both the homeowner and the professional. It covers all aspects of drip irrigation including what equipment you will need, how to design an effective system, how to install it, and how much water to use. Available from Metamorphic Press at 707-874-2606 or online.

Connecticut Native Tree and Shrub and Availability List

Although not directly addressed to water conservation, this online publication and others listed at Connecticut College’s web site present good ideas for residents of the eastern United States about selecting plant materials. view this publication at their website.
Water Right—Conserving Our Water, Preserving Our Environment

This 64-page award-winning book provides comprehensive treatment of the water problem and ideas for conserving water while still maintaining a green landscape. It is available free in downloadable format or in hard copy by contacting Turfgrass Producers International at 847-649-5555.
Desert Southwest Community Tree Guide

In the dry southwest, planting trees that yield more benefits than costs is always a challenge. This 81-page publication is the result of considerable research into the costs and benefits of various sized trees and how they are used in the landscape. A helpful selection matrix is included. This is a publication of the USDA Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research. You can read it online or download it from here.