LARE Section D Suggested Reading Materials and Study Guides

What is Section D of the L.A.R.E?

Section D will test you knowledge about landscape architecture design and construction. There are 120 questions on this section of the LARE.  As a result, you will be tested on a wide variety of construction and design questions. Sustainability and environmental ethics have grown in importance in the profession as this emphasis has made its way into the L.A.R.E exam. For more greater detail about the subject mater covered in Section D, check out this article that outlines the five subsections of Section D and the topics you need to know in order to pass the test the first time.

Here are some highly recommended resources to use in preparation for Section D.

Suggested Study Material for Section D:

CLARB recommends preparing for Section D of the LARE with the following list of books.  You may have some of these books in your personal or office library.  If not, any or all of them are excellent additions to your professional landscape architecture book shelf.

Construction-Related Reference Guides:

Landscape Architect's Portable Handbook by Nicholas Dines and Kyle Brown
This handy guide is small enough to take with you into the field and has enough information to answer most of what you need to know on a regular basis. The topics covered include discussion on the overall aspects of a landscape architecture project to the smallest details you regularly need. You will find loads of data on site selection and grading; demolition and clearing; grading, drainage, and stormwater management (including retention ponds); decks and landscape structures; fences, walls, and retaining walls; planting design and details; and some information on landscape architecture office management. I keep a copy in my car so I can quickly reference some topics in the field. The Landscape Architect's Portable Handbook will not replace a more complete reference like Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards but it is a good place to start if you are strapped for cash....used copies sell on Amazon.com starting at $30.


Site Engineering for Landscape Architects, 5th Edition by Strom, Nathan and Woland

This is a standard reference for site engineering and a great refresher on the basics of grading and stormwater management.  You may have used this as a textbook in school.  Amazon sells a Kindle version of the book if you want to read it on the go.  Check out the full review of Site Engineering for Landscape Architects in the Section B LARE study resources article.

Construction Contracts, 2nd Edition by Hinze

This is the standard reference for construction contracts and is quite comprehensive in the topics discussed. Frankly, this is not the most exciting book that you will ever read in your professional life, but the content is extremely important.  However, there is a lot of great information in this volume that will help you prepare for the exam and improve your knowledge as a landscape architect and contribute to your professional development. The biggest downside is that the book is on the pricier side at over 100 dollars. Check out the Section A study list for a full review of this book.

Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards by Hopper

Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards is the graphic bible for many landscape architects and is comprehensive in its detailed treatment of construction design and detailing of many major site amenities and program elements. If you do not already have this book, I strongly recommend purchasing a copy for your own professional library.  If the book is a little too expensive for your budget, perhaps you can use the copy at your office to study at lunch. You can buy a "lite" student version Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards, Student Edition for less money or pay the full price for the comprehensive professional edition. For a complete review of Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards, check out the Section C reading list and study guide.  

Planting Design and Horticulture Reference Books:

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propogation and Uses by Dr. Michael Dirr (honorary ASLA)
If your from from the eastern United States or Canada, you probably used this book in college. The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants is the authoritative book on woody landscape shrubs and trees and is an excellent resource.  I still use it as a reference. Fewer LARE candidates probably have it on the West Coast of the United States, but the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants is a good resource to have in your professional library.  New and used copies are available from Amazon.com.  If you budget is tight, try to find a used copy about the time that college semesters end for a lower price.


Western Garden Book: More than 8,000 Plants - The Right Plants for Your Climate - Tips from Western Garden Experts (Sunset Western Garden Book)
If you work in the Western United States or British Columbia, you probably swear by the Sunset Western Garden Book. The Western Garden Book features more than 8,000 plant descriptions along with plant selection guides and detailed climate maps and climate descriptions for the western United States. Unlike the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, the Western Garden Book has useful information on annual flowers, herbaceous perennials, trees, shrubs, and edibles and herbs. I use this book daily in my practice. New copies are frequently discounted at big-box retailers and Amazon.com.

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