The Secret Life of Trees: Books for young adults and adults

The Illustrated Guide to Maples. Antoine Le Hardy De Beaulieu. (Photographs by Michel Timacheff, Philipppe de Spoelberch amd J.R.P. van Hoey Smith.) Timber Press, 2003. 464pp. ISBN 0-88192-601-9. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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Whether one is planning for a residential garden or a nursery, An Illustrated Guide to Maples would be a valuable reference. It contains detailed information on the genus as a whole as well as individual species and would be useful to both the professional and casual gardener. The book is truly a comprehensive treatise on the genus Acer.
It begins with a thorough introduction and information about the taxonomy of the genus followed by an in-depth description of each species. Species origin, as well as an explanation of the name, is included for each species. Specific information about each species is systematically organized and very easy to locate.
The book is beautifully illustrated and contains color photographs demonstrating various phases of growth such as: bark color and trunk shape, flower and seed stages, fall color, newly expanding leaves, and growth habit for each species. Specific instructions for propagating individual species is included under the descriptions of most species. For species with existing cultivars, a description and the origin of the cultivars is included.
Although this book contains an immense amount of information, it is easy to follow and the reader does not need a background in horticulture to use the information. This book shows the enormous diversity and uses of the maples.

Natural History of the Oak Tree. Richard Lewington and David Streeter. (Illus.) DK, 1993. 60pp. ISBN 1-56458-307-4. Index; C.I.P.
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This is the second book I have had the pleasure of reviewing that introduces the concepts of communities and ecosystems at an understandable level and without going into detailed ecological principles. Both books use trees and the large number of organisms they support as their focus. This book concentrates on two species of oak that have been prevalent throughout Europe for many centuries. The common oak and the sessile oak have been of great social, religious, and economic importance to European civilizations and have provided shelter for numerous species of organisms. The reader is introduced to these oaks through a brief discussion of their development from acorn to sapling and through examples of organisms that are active on and around the trees during the four seasons of the year. The material is presented at the high school level, where it could be used as supplementary reading in an elementary biology or environment course. It can also be useful to the high school science teacher as source material. The general reader who is interested in nature study will enjoy the illustrations. This book should stimulate an interest in ecology in young and old alike.

Oak: The Frame of Civilization. William Bryant Logan. (Illus.) W.W. Norton, 2005. 320pp. ISBN 0-393-04773-3.
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This book is an intriguing and well-written examination of the connection between oak tree populations and the development of human civilizations and cultures. The oak has provided mankind with everything from food to shelter, ink to preservatives, medicines to construction materials and its presence has been documented in many of the earliest human archeological finds. The oak and its products continue to play a vital role in many cultures to this day. The author has done considerable research on the topic and examines this connection between man and tree from biological, ecological, philosophical, spiritual, and historical perspectives. Highly convincing evidence is provided in all categories, supporting the important interdependence between humans and the mighty oak.

Once Upon a Tree: Life from Treetop to Root Tips. James B. Nardi. (Illus. by the author.) Iowa State University Press, 1993. 120pp. ISBN 0-8138-0917-7. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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Any person who has an interest in environmental studies will enjoy this book. It is the type of book you are not able to put down once you begin to read it. The presentation is clear, the information is accurate, and the illustrations are very good. The number and variety of organisms that coexist on individual trees, from early spring to late fall, is simply amazing. The author selected representatives from the many species of insects, mammals, birds, amphibians, lichens, and fungi that are found on trees. His descriptions of their life cycles, reproduction, and interactions will captivate high school students and adults alike. The illustrations are done by the author, who is to be commended on his artistic ability. This book is not a regular course text, but it can be used as a reading assignment for high school biology and environment classes. The chapters include a number of suggested activities for observing and collecting specimens. I believe that the reader will obtain as clear a picture of biodiversity and species interactions as one can find in any beginning book on this subject.

Remarkable Trees of the World. Thomas Pakenham. (Photographs by the author.) W.W. Norton, 2002. 192pp. $49.95. ISBN 0-393-04911-6. Index.
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Visitors to the California redwood forests usually report a feeling of awe when standing under what seem like the tallest creatures on earth. In fact, they are: At least 26 of the trees are over 360 feet tall, and 86 have passed the 350-foot mark. This type of tree is but one example of the several fascinating trees discussed in Remarkable Trees of the World, by Tom Pakenham.
With a tree lover's bias and conservationist's ethic, Pakenham displays an image of the skeleton like Nolan Creek red cedar in Washington State, the second largest red cedar in the world, spared by the loggers as they dispatched its siblings. "Imagine trying to preserve this king of the forest," Pakenham writes, "when all his kingdom lies in ruins. Soon his bones, too, will lie in Nolan Creek." In a happier section, he tells how "a 31-year-old Canadian bushwhacker, Randy Stoltmann," saved from loggers the 16,630-acre watershed on Vancouver Island that is home to some of the oldest Sitka spruce in the Carmanah Pacific Provincial Park.
The excellent photos and stories about remarkable trees should hold spellbound and perhaps convert the unwary reader to Pakenham's passionate devotion. A gazetteer of trees photographed, a bibliography for further reading, and a helpful index conclude the book. Remarkable Trees of the World is recommended for private meditative reading and for the shelves of public libraries everywhere. It is both a photographer's and a tree lover's delight.

Tree: A Life Story. David Suzuki and Wayne Grady. (Illus. by Robert Bateman.) Greystone Books, 2004. 208pp. ISBN 1-55365-016-6.
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Is the book Tree: A Life Story really a book about a Douglas fir tree, or is it about nature, evolution, and ecology? Although the book is about the life of a single tree, it is truly a treatise on nature and the individuals who were instrumental in developing our understanding of biology. This is a wonderfully written book that flows well from topic to topic. Both the rugged and delicate sides of nature are beautifully illustrated, and the interconnectedness of species is revealed, throughout the book. Step by step, the authors explain why changing one component of an environment has far-reaching consequences for all other parts.
Beyond containing a vast amount of information, the book is written in such a way that both individuals with and without a scientific background can enjoy it. The authors tackle topics such as the beginning of life, forest succession, and symbiotic relationships with ease. The use of DNA to show the relatedness of two organisms is also briefly, but very clearly, explained. Tree: A Life Story is highly recommended. It is genuinely a celebration of the wonders of nature and how perfectly its constituents interact and depend on one another.

Trees: Their Natural History. Peter Thomas. (Illus.) Cambridge, 2000. 252pp. ISBN 0521453518. Index; C.I.P.
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This is an insidious book and Peter Thomas is an insidious author. Oh, sure, he starts out in a real simple, folksy manner, but then he leads you smack-dab into the realm of technical jargon. The trouble is, you are not fazed by this because he has prepared you all the way for the journey. And he provides little touches of humor, here and there, to add to your pleasure. This book is a joy to read because Thomas effortlessly makes the transition from travelogue style to textbook, and has enough figures and photos to make his point. He provides relevant examples among the woody species and also even gives some exceptions, with lessons to be learned. After an overview, he tackles specific aspects of the growth of a tree, flipping back and forth between gymnosperms and angiosperms, so that the reader gets a full appreciation of the woody plants we call trees.
The book is written for the person with a general knowledge of botany. A "weekend tree person" will find it illuminating as Thomas ties the physiology and anatomy of a tree to its ecology. The volume touches most aspects of tree growth, development, and adaptation. Obviously, a dendrologist or a graduate student of forestry is likely to find it too simplistic. If you expect to read about the molecular biology of trees, you'll be disappointed in this book, but if you want to find out about the fascinating physiology behind these woody plants, then I recommend this volume highly.