08/25/2026
A month ago I got to meet my idol.
I bought my first copy of Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs even before embarking on my graduate studies in landscape architecture some 25 years ago. This book, along with many of Dr. Michael Dirr’s other manuals, are the most dog-eared ones on my office bookshelves. Not only is his knowledge of woody plants extensive but his humor and passion for plants pervade his writing.
When I got an opportunity to attend a Tree Walk led by Dr Dirr at UMass Amherst I jumped at the opportunity. Meeting Mike in person exceeded my expectations. He is deeply knowledgable, personable, funny, and prompted a lively dialogue with all the participants - such that I was called upon to speak to topics from buttonbush (a great source of honey bee nectar during late summer dearth) to the roll of natives in designed landscape.
