The Sanctuary of Trees

by Gene Logsdon

As author Gene Logsdon puts it, “We are all tree huggers.” But not just for sentimental or even environmental reasons. Humans have always depended on trees for our food, shelter, livelihood, and safety. In many ways, despite the Grimm’s fairy-tale version of the dark, menacing forest, most people still hold a deep cultural love of woodland settings, and feel right at home in the woods.

In this latest book, A Sanctuary of Trees, Logsdon offers a loving tribute to the woods, tracing the roots of his own home groves in Ohio back to the Native Americans and revealing his own history and experiences living in many locations, each of which was different, yet inextricably linked with trees and the natural world. Whether as an adolescent studying at a seminary or as a journalist living just outside Philadelphia’s city limits, Gene has always lived and worked close to the woods, and his curiosity and keen sense of observation have taught him valuable lessons about a wide variety of trees: their distinct characteristics and the multiple benefits and uses they have. In addition to imparting many fascinating practical details of woods wisdom, A Sanctuary of Trees is infused with a philosophy and descriptive lyricism that is born from the author’s passionate and lifelong relationship with nature:

There is a point at which the tree shudders before it begins its descent. Then slowly it tips, picks up speed, often with a kind of wailing death cry from rending wood fibers, and hits the ground with a whump that literally shakes the earth underfoot. The air, in the aftermath, seems to shimmy and shiver, as if saturated with static electricity. Then follows an eerie silence, the absolute end to a very long life.

Fitting squarely into the long and proud tradition of American nature writing, A Sanctuary of Trees also reflects Gene Logsdon’s unique personality and perspective, which have marked him over the course of his two dozen previous books as the authentic voice of rural life and traditions.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Environment, Outdoors, Memoir, Agriculture

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Will G · Rating 2 out of 5]

This guy's author quirk is "articulate hillbilly" and I got real tired of getting punched in the face about it.

[George Heller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It resonated with my own childhood and also my view of trees. People may not think of trees often but everyone has a "special" tree or trees. I did, but then I may just be weird. I had the pleasure of meeting the author several years ago and during the course of our conversation he asked me why I liked some of his writings over others. I may not have had a very satisfactory answer that day but I believe his best work comes from living it.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-chosen title. I enjoyed the autobiographical beginning and its descriptions of how he slowly realized how important trees and nature were in his life. It was a bit like hearing someone share how the influence of religion came into their life. The 'still, small, voice in the wilderness.'
On top of that, a lot of interesting facts about trees and related topics. I was definitely taking notes while enjoying his conversational tone.

[Dooug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Logsdon writes out his love and history with the groves he knows in folksy anecdotes, probably best read when falling asleep in a warm wood fire's light.

[Abby Franks · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the love of trees, I absolutely adored this book, his language, and awe of all things tree-related.

[Bette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passed along to Cal. Too much biology for me. I liked The Understory better

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read quite a bit. It reminded me of listening to stories my grandparents would tell. The author had a warm and charming tone.

[Rey Dekker · Rating 3 out of 5]

...this guy is really into trees...the book has reminded me how little I know about them (identification, growth, ranges, life-spans, etc.) that I am once more prompted to get a field guide and get busy, if nothing else. The book sort of lost steam toward the end, either from my point of view or he sort of ran out of things to say and I am thinking it is a combination of the two. Still, if I were contemplating a homestead somewhere I would get this book and start a woods. What was most fascinating to me was the discussion of tree foods; fruits, nuts, seeds, even leaves. I have new found respect for trees now and am noticing more about them everyday (especially when I am vacuuming my parents yard of their leaves or mulching the hell out of them on a rough mower tractor at the golf course). If you are into nature and the wonderment of how things work you might like this book. He also references a few other books that I will be hunting down in the library system...bark anyone...???...

[KP · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We are all tree-huggers" - the first sentence and my most favorite first sentence in any book I have ever read.

Trees are one of my most favorite beings in this world. I love the way this book is written - the information and stories are so interesting. This is my first Gene Logsdon book and definitely not the last.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.. full of information on trees, native plants, nature, wood for burning. I liked it enough to buy a copy for my personal collection.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful book. Another I would not have known about if not for my group on the farm. While we rarely talked about this, the stories are very moving. Brings ecology into a different focus.