What do you think?
Rate this book
The Life of an Oak: An Intimate Portrait
The Life of an Oak takes an intimate look at all aspects of the oak tree, from a microscopic examination of its cellular processes to a survey of the grand Diaspora by which members of this remarkable family have spread around the world and diversified. The separate yet exquisitely coordingated development of male and female flowers, the bursting of buds, the outpouring of leaves, and the groping of roots are described in language and art that will enchant the professional and armchair botanist alike.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
3 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 21, 2018
A jackdaw story of the oaks.
That is to say, easily distracted.
Glenn Keator wants to tell the story of oak trees--and I want to hear it--but he keeps getting distracted by peripheral issues. A lot of the book gets in the weeds of basic biology, which may or may not be interesting, if you don't already know it, but really is tangential to the main storyline here.
It's a pity, because Keator clearly knows his stuff, and has traveled extensively.
Indeed, one of the two best parts of the book is a series of vignettes of places he's been, and the oaks he's scene--it nicely presents the diversity of the group. The other good bit is the (relatively) brief section in the middle on oak evolution and biology; this is constantly interrupted by lessons in botany, but when he dwells on the interactions with other organisms--particularly jays and gall wasps, but also pigs--that's good stuff. The book needed more of it, especially at the beginning, where it would have served as a better organizing device for his discussion.
The real draw here is the art, by Susan Bazell, which simultaneously evokes the classic botanic drawings of the 17th and 18th centuries while being modern, and using a pastel family of colors. Really, really nice.
All in all a fine resource--though probably dated now--but not something to sit down and read.
That is to say, easily distracted.
Glenn Keator wants to tell the story of oak trees--and I want to hear it--but he keeps getting distracted by peripheral issues. A lot of the book gets in the weeds of basic biology, which may or may not be interesting, if you don't already know it, but really is tangential to the main storyline here.
It's a pity, because Keator clearly knows his stuff, and has traveled extensively.
Indeed, one of the two best parts of the book is a series of vignettes of places he's been, and the oaks he's scene--it nicely presents the diversity of the group. The other good bit is the (relatively) brief section in the middle on oak evolution and biology; this is constantly interrupted by lessons in botany, but when he dwells on the interactions with other organisms--particularly jays and gall wasps, but also pigs--that's good stuff. The book needed more of it, especially at the beginning, where it would have served as a better organizing device for his discussion.
The real draw here is the art, by Susan Bazell, which simultaneously evokes the classic botanic drawings of the 17th and 18th centuries while being modern, and using a pastel family of colors. Really, really nice.
All in all a fine resource--though probably dated now--but not something to sit down and read.
August 12, 2019
Everything you ever wanted to know about oak trees and more
This is an outstanding piece of work that may be a bit too technical in parts for some readers. I know it was for me as a neophyte botanist. I may read this again when I've gained more experience because Glenn Keator's in-depth look at oak trees worldwide is as exhaustive as any popular book I've seen, and the artwork by Susan Bazell is wonderful.
Glenn Keator begins with "Oak Architecture," by which he means the nature of the roots, trunk, limbs, branches, leaves, etc. of the tree including epiphytes and the tree itself as an ecosystem. The mighty oak is indeed quite an ecosystem, nourishing many creatures and being nourished itself not only by water, air, sun and soil, but through a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi. Next he goes into the life cycle of the trees from acorn to death to being recycled by nature. The diversity and the evolution of oaks is explored to some considerable depth, and finally there is look at the various habitats that oaks are part of.
I am familiar with the oaks of California, but it was interesting to read about oaks from all parts of the world including those of the high lands of northern Mexico where there is the greatest diversity. Interesting too are the oaks of the tropical rain forests which have evolved differing techniques for survival. Keator reports on the prehistory of the oak and how it has evolved globally beginning at least 40 million years ago.
The most interesting part of the book for me covered the many different kinds of galls that live on these endlessly fascinating trees. Most of us are familiar with the potato and apple shaped galls but how about the rose-colored urchin gall or the mushroom gall or the jumping gall? I had brought some leaves home with what looked like rose-purple colored flowers, each about a quarter inch in diameter, growing on the underside of some leaves, and I wondered what they were. I was surprised to learn that they are but one of many galls that the chemistry of insects incites the oak to grow. Bazell's drawings of the galls on pages 88, 89 and 91 are beautiful and instructive. To me, the presence of so many kinds of galls, which are really ancient adaptations to living with insects, testifies to the great antiquity of the oaks themselves.
I had hoped this book would help me identify oak trees by species--and in the long run it may. But for now what I've learned is that the promiscuous oak, pollinated by the wind, morphs into hybrids that are difficult to identify. Not only that, but what is even more confusing, the oak tree shapes its leaves differently depending on the climate and even on which side of the oak the leaves grow. Furthermore, even though some oaks are named because of the color of their bark, that doesn't always aid identification since the bark is often covered by lichen and mosses. It helps to know that some oaks are deciduous and some are evergreen, and that the acorns themselves are a good key to identification. However the flowering parts of oaks are small and their season is brief, ensuring that those who seek positive identification will have to do some serious fieldwork.
In addition to information about oaks, Keator writes about the other kinds of plants that coexist in oak habitats--flowers, fungi, insects, and other trees, especially beeches.
Complementing Bazell's artwork are full color photos and maps showing the habitats and the global distribution of oaks and similar trees, and there is an excellent glossary. I suspect most people with a spirited interest in oak trees own or are familiar with this excellent book.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
This is an outstanding piece of work that may be a bit too technical in parts for some readers. I know it was for me as a neophyte botanist. I may read this again when I've gained more experience because Glenn Keator's in-depth look at oak trees worldwide is as exhaustive as any popular book I've seen, and the artwork by Susan Bazell is wonderful.
Glenn Keator begins with "Oak Architecture," by which he means the nature of the roots, trunk, limbs, branches, leaves, etc. of the tree including epiphytes and the tree itself as an ecosystem. The mighty oak is indeed quite an ecosystem, nourishing many creatures and being nourished itself not only by water, air, sun and soil, but through a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi. Next he goes into the life cycle of the trees from acorn to death to being recycled by nature. The diversity and the evolution of oaks is explored to some considerable depth, and finally there is look at the various habitats that oaks are part of.
I am familiar with the oaks of California, but it was interesting to read about oaks from all parts of the world including those of the high lands of northern Mexico where there is the greatest diversity. Interesting too are the oaks of the tropical rain forests which have evolved differing techniques for survival. Keator reports on the prehistory of the oak and how it has evolved globally beginning at least 40 million years ago.
The most interesting part of the book for me covered the many different kinds of galls that live on these endlessly fascinating trees. Most of us are familiar with the potato and apple shaped galls but how about the rose-colored urchin gall or the mushroom gall or the jumping gall? I had brought some leaves home with what looked like rose-purple colored flowers, each about a quarter inch in diameter, growing on the underside of some leaves, and I wondered what they were. I was surprised to learn that they are but one of many galls that the chemistry of insects incites the oak to grow. Bazell's drawings of the galls on pages 88, 89 and 91 are beautiful and instructive. To me, the presence of so many kinds of galls, which are really ancient adaptations to living with insects, testifies to the great antiquity of the oaks themselves.
I had hoped this book would help me identify oak trees by species--and in the long run it may. But for now what I've learned is that the promiscuous oak, pollinated by the wind, morphs into hybrids that are difficult to identify. Not only that, but what is even more confusing, the oak tree shapes its leaves differently depending on the climate and even on which side of the oak the leaves grow. Furthermore, even though some oaks are named because of the color of their bark, that doesn't always aid identification since the bark is often covered by lichen and mosses. It helps to know that some oaks are deciduous and some are evergreen, and that the acorns themselves are a good key to identification. However the flowering parts of oaks are small and their season is brief, ensuring that those who seek positive identification will have to do some serious fieldwork.
In addition to information about oaks, Keator writes about the other kinds of plants that coexist in oak habitats--flowers, fungi, insects, and other trees, especially beeches.
Complementing Bazell's artwork are full color photos and maps showing the habitats and the global distribution of oaks and similar trees, and there is an excellent glossary. I suspect most people with a spirited interest in oak trees own or are familiar with this excellent book.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
November 23, 2023
I told a coworker I wanted to get better at identifying oaks, and they pretty much laughed and said, “good luck with that.” Wouldn’t say this read helped me with that goal, but at least now I know why oak classification is so damn tricky.
This book dedicated a lot of words to basic botany. At times I appreciated that refresher, and at times I was ready for something at a more intermediate depth. The tone was accessible throughout, though, which made this a fun and easy read. Keator did lose me a bit by the end; the final section on oak habitats felt unnecessary — it was too much of a whirlwind for me to absorb much, and it would’ve benefitted from far more photos.
Overall, I came away with an abundance of fun facts and a deeper appreciation for oaks and the beech family more broadly! The section on galls was an absolute standout, and Susan Bazell’s botanical illustrations throughout were a delight. The charts and diagrams, however, were often confusing and vague, leaving much to be desired, and I would’ve appreciated even more comparative illustrations of some of the unique attributes of different species that Keator described.
This book dedicated a lot of words to basic botany. At times I appreciated that refresher, and at times I was ready for something at a more intermediate depth. The tone was accessible throughout, though, which made this a fun and easy read. Keator did lose me a bit by the end; the final section on oak habitats felt unnecessary — it was too much of a whirlwind for me to absorb much, and it would’ve benefitted from far more photos.
Overall, I came away with an abundance of fun facts and a deeper appreciation for oaks and the beech family more broadly! The section on galls was an absolute standout, and Susan Bazell’s botanical illustrations throughout were a delight. The charts and diagrams, however, were often confusing and vague, leaving much to be desired, and I would’ve appreciated even more comparative illustrations of some of the unique attributes of different species that Keator described.
November 16, 2023
The Life of an Oak is unique book, and a joy to read. Glenn Keator covers ecology and physiology in great detail but remains easy to understand. The book is a bit California-centric in its focus, but it does cover oaks from across the world to some degree. The explanation of reproduction and how hybridization can occur between some oak species and not others is very digestible, and if you are like me and want an excuse not to be able to distinguish black from red oaks, offers a good justification.
The final chapter, in which Keator describes various biomes around the world in which oaks live feels a bit out of place. Despite seeming like it should be a conclusion, there is little focus on oaks and instead often goes into depth on other flora that happen to dwell in the same general area as oaks. Maybe it's off-topic, but if you are interested in reading an entire book about oaks, you will probably still enjoy being along for the ride.
The final chapter, in which Keator describes various biomes around the world in which oaks live feels a bit out of place. Despite seeming like it should be a conclusion, there is little focus on oaks and instead often goes into depth on other flora that happen to dwell in the same general area as oaks. Maybe it's off-topic, but if you are interested in reading an entire book about oaks, you will probably still enjoy being along for the ride.
November 18, 2022
Poor writing but very interesting info
April 10, 2024
A book to make you fall in love with oak trees!
July 21, 2009
Good detail on the biology of oaks. Not much on identification because it discusses all oaks from around the world, which is a high species count. If you have no previous interest in trees, natural history, or scientific inquiry, you may find this as palatable as eating raw acorns.
September 27, 2014
If you have knowledge of trees, then you will enjoy learning more about Oak trees. Lots if biological detail, but I enjoyed reading.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews