Knowing the Trees: Discover the Forest from Seed to Snag

by Ken Keffer, Emily Walker (Illustrator)

An engaging, fact-filled, and beautifully illustrated guide to a forest’s life cycle In Knowing the Trees , naturalist and outdoor educator Ken Keffer explores our forests with both precision and charm. He offers essential context for understanding scientific knowledge and discoveries about trees and forest ecology, informed by rich anecdotes and specific examples from across the US.

Modeled after the life cycle of a tree, this beautifully illustrated guide showcases a wide range of topics, including unique reproductive strategies, the wonders of seed dispersal, vast underground networks of roots, the importance of photosynthesis, treetop canopies, how snags and nurse logs contribute to the future of a forest, connections among other species throughout the habitat, benefits of forest bathing, and so much more. Keffer also makes the convincing case that our health depends on the health of trees and being able to see the forest and the trees.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published August 15, 2023

Reviews

[David Govatski · Rating 5 out of 5]

a mini-course in forest ecology

A well researched and written book with wonderful art work. The book clearly explains ecological concepts in a way that is both easy to understand and interesting. The author knows how to communicate science. I liked the examples from all over the country, Alabama to Alaska, California to Maine. I am a silviculturist and can recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about our forests.

[Michael McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good info in this book ranging from “duh” (wood pulp is used to make paper) to “huh?” (the section on tree sexes), but happily most information is pitched somewhere between a children’s book and a botany textbook. I think I was hoping for something a little more thorough as to tree types, but I did learn a lot of interesting facts. Also, the illustrations are quite nice.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and beautifully illustrated. Each chapter focuses on a different part of the trees of North America: Cones & Seeds; Roots, Buttresses & Knees; Trunks & Rings; Branches & the Canopy; Snags & Coarse Woody Debris; Forest Ecology,

[Miranda Neiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Can't wait to learn more about trees

[Sunil Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading and illustration are great too.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun tidbits of knowledge for lunchtime reading