Book Recommendation: The Wild Trees

In a summer filled with reading garbage from Daniel Silva, John Lescroart, and Tami Hoag, I came upon a fantastic non-fiction book from Richard Preston (he wrote The Hot Zone and writes, I think, for the New Yorker). The book, The Wild Trees, discusses the scientists who study the tree canopies of very large trees. In the U.S., the focus is on the west coast redwoods. Only since the late 80s and early 90s have people studied the ecosystems of the trees. The book reads like a fast-paced novel. There are historical bits, romance, and the author's own tree climbing experiences.

As I progressed through the story, I was fascinated to learn that whole other plants and shrubs live in or within the canopy of the redwoods. They get their water and nutrients right from the host tree. Even lizards, which have never been to the ground, are found living among the tops of the redwoods, where water is plentiful enough to keep them alive.

In addition to the biological information there is much to learn about tree climbing. I hate heights, so I can't imagine walking up the side of a 350ft tree. However, I'm glad someone has the drive to get up there and catalog the species. If I have one small quibble about the book, it is that instead of photos drawings are included to illustrate the tree details. But that isn't reason not to read this book.

Comments

[Christopher Tassava]

I need to read this book. I loved the New Yorker article he published, as an excerpt, a while ago. Great stuff, and in some ways, quite sad, given that once these trees were the norm.

[M. D. Vaden]

Very good reading.

But honestly, if I could take you to see the location of the Grove of Titans, you might be shocked.

Something Preston wrote, hinges on fiction. And it's something about the grove location.

In general though, most of the forest stuff he gleaned from professionals and recorded in the book is accurate.

I wished the book had photos when I read it. Here is a fix:

http://www.mdvaden.com/grove_of_titans.shtml

The maps are password protected. Someone will need to be a professional arborist or botanical garden staff person if they are thinking about requesting a peek at the map.

But most images are open for viewing.

Best,

M. D. Vaden