This book by a local (Merrickville area) tree specialist of Irish descent, is divided into 30 short chapters, all related to the remarkable biology of trees. From the ucalyptus trees that in are in danger of spontaneous combustion starting forest fires in California to the remarkable sounds of trees emitted below the frequency we can hear, and the communication between and among species, the science is interesting and dense.
The author documents some proven medicinal discoveries of compounds of arboreal origin, but makes outrageous claims, or at least unproven ones for others. This reveals a profound lack of any understanding of medical standards of proof of benefit. Of arboreal aromatic compounds she claims «They stimulate smooth muscles…dilate small arteries…open the lungs to refine breathing…lower blood pressure… inhibit the excess secretion of hydrochloride acid by the stomach… improve the flow dynamics of red blood cell… bring nasal vasoconstriction which makes it more difficult for airborne viruses… to enter respiratory pathways. » Just how does that work? I have no doubt that some of these benefits are real but also no doubt that none of them have been proven in a carefully blinded trial. In several places she claims that various tree products have anti-cancer effects. Tidewater trees « should be a man’s best friend because they hold a solution to prostate cancer. »
The writing is poetic and there is no doubt about the author’s good intentions. But there is also a self-satsified smugness to it. She unabashedly claims to be the first person to publish on tree aerosols. The groundbreaking discoveries of Suzanne Simard relating to fungal tree communication in Finding the Mother Tree are discussed but Simard is never mentioned in the text or cited in the short suggested reading list or the Index.
There is a lot of useful, interesting information in this book, but the lack of acknowledgment of other scholar’s contributions, and unfounded medical claims spoiled the reading for me. I look forward to what others have to say about it at our July book club meeting.
2.5/5
Thanks, Williams Court Book Club Two.
The Passionate Reader 