A British naturalist /outdoorsman/adventurer, takes the reader on an adventure to identify, get directions from, and learn about the intricacies of trees in this enjoyable book. There are endless bits of information that will ensure that you will never look at a tree the same way that you did in the past. The author personalizes trees as though they are sentient reasoning beings.
There is less hard science here than in Susanne Simard’s Finding the Mother Tree, but the devastating effect of human activities on trees is similar to that documented by Henry Gabor in Paved Paradise. The author’s love of the outdoors is infectious. A few notable quotes will illustrate this.
“Large leaves that look shiny and feel waxy are wearing sunscreen and a raincoat at the same time.”
“Nature does not brim with gratitude.”
“…the leaves of both young trees turn to the bark and say ‘ Mate, will you lend us a hand and photosynthesize a bit? Its only for a few seasons. Once we have grown a bit taller you can get back to your main job of protecting the trunk and branches.”
I am not sure how this self-taught tree guru would fare in an advanced botany course exam, but I somehow doubt that he would ace it.
7.5/10
Thanks, The Atlantic.
The Passionate Reader 