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TreeNotes: A Year in the Company of Trees
From an esteemed National Geographic explorer and forest ecologist, a charming collection of thought-provoking essays exploring the meaning of trees in our lives.
Telephone poles, baseball bats, railroad ties. Peaches, nutmeg, and vanilla. The more you look, the more you realize: Our world depends on products made from trees. In this sweet book, forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni takes you on a worldwide journey to learn more about trees—their variety, their usefulness, their beauty, and their importance, not only to human culture, but to the entire natural world.
Telephone poles, baseball bats, railroad ties. Peaches, nutmeg, and vanilla. The more you look, the more you realize: Our world depends on products made from trees. In this sweet book, forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni takes you on a worldwide journey to learn more about trees—their variety, their usefulness, their beauty, and their importance, not only to human culture, but to the entire natural world.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published February 18, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 16, 2025
Beautiful, simple, accessible, and fun to read. Nadkarni is clearly a brilliant scholar but makes no effort to write this book in an academic fashion that would push an everyday reader away. She writes lovingly about the trees she has encountered in her own life and presents a very informative and holistic picture of the many different ways that trees appear in our lives. It was a very enjoyable nighttime read before bed and always calms me down when life gets too frantic. Gonna go find a tree to hug now.
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November 9, 2025Written by National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, this brief book consists of bite-sized tidbits of trivia that altogether show the diversity of entanglement and dependence we have on trees, from the drumsticks used for drumming to the naming of a country (Brazil) and the environmental problem of single-use, nonbiodegradable wood chopsticks (taking at least 10 million trees a year according to this book). And to answer a common question from the wonder of children: what's the total number of kinds /species of trees in the world? It's 73 000
February 10, 2025
Well, this was darling. TreeNotes doesnt ask much of the reader, but its a sweet little journey through some gentle botany. Its sort of like scrolling reels - each small segment introduces a new idea and gives just enough information for the reader to understand it without ever being overwhelming. Even as a biologist with a more than passing familiarity with botany, I never really felt bored. Its an interesting kind of journal to keep: pick a topic youre intimate with and record the unseen ways it integrates with humanity. Four seasonal odes to a passion.
Thank you to Netgalley and National Geographic Books for providing the advanced reader ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and National Geographic Books for providing the advanced reader ebook in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2024
5*
A delightfully unique book of anecdotes about trees and what makes them special. Picked up some neat facts about their physiology, history, ecology, and contributions to human culture. I loved that it is presented in digestible little chapters which is perfect for my terrible attention span 😁 Look forward to getting a hard copy to flip through periodically!
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book!
A delightfully unique book of anecdotes about trees and what makes them special. Picked up some neat facts about their physiology, history, ecology, and contributions to human culture. I loved that it is presented in digestible little chapters which is perfect for my terrible attention span 😁 Look forward to getting a hard copy to flip through periodically!
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book!
February 5, 2025
TreeNotes by forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni feels like it was written for me as someone who needs to be constantly surrounded by trees and enveloped in them. Her brief background includes mention of her first book written as a youngster. I love her relatable lifelong connection to trees! Thankfully, I live in a country of forests and spend time in them every moment possible. This seasonal little book is about looking for and observing the everyday in trees, peeling back the layers and really absorbing everything about them.
Though a master gardener, I did not know that spruce trees contain both tension and compressed wood or about the Janka rating or put a lot of thought into the importance of tree pollen. I had forgotten that the gingko tree drops all its leaves in a day or two. What a joy to sink my teeth into oak masting, contemplating peach hairs, reasons for branch arcs and slants and to dig into the massive Baobab tree. But that's not all. There are snippets about wood termites and acorn ants.
Of the current 73,000 tree species, it seems like many are in my area, almost an unfair advantage! Not exactly true but trees are a priority in my life. My region has published free books about trees to visit here which must be rare, old or historical historically significant. My husband and I often go on hunts for these treasures and recently saw a 900-year-old chestnut, a massive oak tree which shades an entire town square, and a 1,000 year-old gnarled olive tree.
My sincere thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating book about one of my favourite subjects, trees. Even saying the word brings a smile to my face!
Though a master gardener, I did not know that spruce trees contain both tension and compressed wood or about the Janka rating or put a lot of thought into the importance of tree pollen. I had forgotten that the gingko tree drops all its leaves in a day or two. What a joy to sink my teeth into oak masting, contemplating peach hairs, reasons for branch arcs and slants and to dig into the massive Baobab tree. But that's not all. There are snippets about wood termites and acorn ants.
Of the current 73,000 tree species, it seems like many are in my area, almost an unfair advantage! Not exactly true but trees are a priority in my life. My region has published free books about trees to visit here which must be rare, old or historical historically significant. My husband and I often go on hunts for these treasures and recently saw a 900-year-old chestnut, a massive oak tree which shades an entire town square, and a 1,000 year-old gnarled olive tree.
My sincere thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating book about one of my favourite subjects, trees. Even saying the word brings a smile to my face!
March 11, 2025
Thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for the eGalley to review!
Broken up into seasons from winter to the next winter, TreeNotes by Nalini Nadkarni is exactly what it says it is: It's a book with anecdotes, musings, and trivia about trees! And it's delightful! I knew some of the things mentioned but my eyes were opened to a whole new side of trees I didn't know, mostly about how they're used by humans. The most interesting notes to me were the ones on telephone poles, corks, vanilla, and mistletoe. There are some disheartening notes about our destructive use of trees (like the one on chopsticks), but the tone of each note remains hopeful and helpful throughout. Where there is bad news, it is immediately followed up with good news about how we as a society are taking measures to restore a balanced relationship with trees and to fix the problems we've created.
I absolutely love the inclusion of the scientific names of the trees and a "tree index" in the back for those looking for information on specific trees. Each note is spread across two pages but without the page layout, they'd easily fit on a single page. It's perfect for bite-sized reading or even for reading it all in one sitting without issue!
In fact, this is an excellent resource for trivia if you need it! It's also simply an ode to trees and how we can be more appreciative of them and the myriad ways they affect our lives--even for the most enthusiastic tree hugger! For instance, my dad is a woodworker with a decades-long appreciation for trees and their unique wood properties and I just know he's going to be even more appreciative of them after he reads this one. This is definitely one for the environmental collection!
Broken up into seasons from winter to the next winter, TreeNotes by Nalini Nadkarni is exactly what it says it is: It's a book with anecdotes, musings, and trivia about trees! And it's delightful! I knew some of the things mentioned but my eyes were opened to a whole new side of trees I didn't know, mostly about how they're used by humans. The most interesting notes to me were the ones on telephone poles, corks, vanilla, and mistletoe. There are some disheartening notes about our destructive use of trees (like the one on chopsticks), but the tone of each note remains hopeful and helpful throughout. Where there is bad news, it is immediately followed up with good news about how we as a society are taking measures to restore a balanced relationship with trees and to fix the problems we've created.
I absolutely love the inclusion of the scientific names of the trees and a "tree index" in the back for those looking for information on specific trees. Each note is spread across two pages but without the page layout, they'd easily fit on a single page. It's perfect for bite-sized reading or even for reading it all in one sitting without issue!
In fact, this is an excellent resource for trivia if you need it! It's also simply an ode to trees and how we can be more appreciative of them and the myriad ways they affect our lives--even for the most enthusiastic tree hugger! For instance, my dad is a woodworker with a decades-long appreciation for trees and their unique wood properties and I just know he's going to be even more appreciative of them after he reads this one. This is definitely one for the environmental collection!
April 1, 2025
I truly love this book. "TreeNotes" by Nalini Nadkarni is a beautiful collection of small vignettes, each focused on a few specific types of trees. These lovely and informative reflections are grouped according to seasonal themes, and Nadkarni shares her own thoughts as well as factual information about each group of trees. Readers will come away from this book with a deeper understanding of the way trees impact our lives in big and small ways, and they will be eager to share fascinating and amusing tidbits from each vignette. There is an amazing amount of information packed into this slim volume, and it is written in such an engaging and accessible way that readers of a wide variety of ages will find much to adore here. Highly recommended for all collections, both public and private. I'll most definitely be purchasing a copy for myself, as well as recommending it far and wide. I seriously cannot recommend this book enough.
August 22, 2025
If you are at all familiar with NPR’s (National Public Radio) BirdNotes, a weekly two minute segment all about birds, then you will have an idea what this book is like. TreeNotes is also aired on NPR, but I’m not sure if it is as widely broadcasted. I certainly have never run across it, although I will admit I don’t listen to NPR all that much. But luckily I did learn that both BirdNotes and TreeNotes can be found as podcasts! I will be sure to check out both of these and add them to my daily listening time.
In this book you will find very short (two pages) stories about trees and how they touch human lives. I really enjoyed reading many of these little vignettes and I learned a couple of things from many of them. For instance, the willow, which has been long known for it’s herbal remedy for aches and pains, helped to develop the active ingredient in aspirin and is still used to today. Also, I found it interesting that people prefer to shop in areas where there are lots of trees. Finally, the holly and evergreen boughs used to make your christmas wreath, probably came from the Pacific Northwest.
The book is split into sections that are titled for the seasons. It was a nice way to break up the stories, although some of them didn’t seem to particularly relate to any given season. The writing was very relatable and for the most part interesting. The book could have used some illustrations. It would have been nice to see the leaves or the bark of some of these trees that were talked about. But other than that I enjoyed the format and the writing.
If you want a quick, light nonfiction book about trees, this is a book you might want to pick up. If you enjoy podcasts certainly give the TreeNotes podcast a listen. If you are more into birds, check out BirdNotes Daily. And while you are checking these podcasts out, maybe donate a little money to PBS and NPR . They could use it.
In this book you will find very short (two pages) stories about trees and how they touch human lives. I really enjoyed reading many of these little vignettes and I learned a couple of things from many of them. For instance, the willow, which has been long known for it’s herbal remedy for aches and pains, helped to develop the active ingredient in aspirin and is still used to today. Also, I found it interesting that people prefer to shop in areas where there are lots of trees. Finally, the holly and evergreen boughs used to make your christmas wreath, probably came from the Pacific Northwest.
The book is split into sections that are titled for the seasons. It was a nice way to break up the stories, although some of them didn’t seem to particularly relate to any given season. The writing was very relatable and for the most part interesting. The book could have used some illustrations. It would have been nice to see the leaves or the bark of some of these trees that were talked about. But other than that I enjoyed the format and the writing.
If you want a quick, light nonfiction book about trees, this is a book you might want to pick up. If you enjoy podcasts certainly give the TreeNotes podcast a listen. If you are more into birds, check out BirdNotes Daily. And while you are checking these podcasts out, maybe donate a little money to PBS and NPR . They could use it.
February 16, 2025
Tree Notes is a beautiful little book that I know I will revisit again and again. Nalini Nadkarni is a national geographic explorer and forest ecologist. But the real draw, she truly loves trees! And has since she was very young, her lifelong relationship with, and her love of trees, is easily recognized by any tree lover making this an educational pleasure to read! This book is the perfect balance of information and anecdotes, of knowledge and heart. And all the interesting little facts - what types of wood makes the best drumsticks for different reasons, learning about bark cloth and cork trees. This book is seasonally divided, quick and easy reading, and who could resist that cover! I received a digital copy and I know I will be ordering a hard copy just for its simple beauty. 4.5 ⭐s
November 20, 2024
This is a surprising little book. Sectioned by our four seasons, they are literally little tree notes from an ecologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large. Each one brings a little joy to your day.
I loved learning about bark cloth, discovering the healing of willows (their scientific name, Salix, is from the Celtic word meaning “near water”), and finding out more about how we encounter (and can more sustainably use) trees like in violin bows and cork. I’ve been reading a lot about trees lately, and this fits right in as a refreshing start or end to the day.
Thank you to NegGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I loved learning about bark cloth, discovering the healing of willows (their scientific name, Salix, is from the Celtic word meaning “near water”), and finding out more about how we encounter (and can more sustainably use) trees like in violin bows and cork. I’ve been reading a lot about trees lately, and this fits right in as a refreshing start or end to the day.
Thank you to NegGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
March 4, 2025
Thank you to National Geographic and Nalini Nadkarni for a complementary copy of this lovely little book!
Created by National Geographic from 2 years of Nadkarni’s public radio program of the same name, this darling collection of stories and anecdotes about trees brings warmth and appreciation in a world so lacking at present time!
I loved the identification of the trees at the start of each passage, the division by season, and the variation between personal, scientific, and quirky. The pages are thick and the printing beautiful.
This is a perfect gift to yourself or any nature lover in your life!
#goodreadsgiveaway
Created by National Geographic from 2 years of Nadkarni’s public radio program of the same name, this darling collection of stories and anecdotes about trees brings warmth and appreciation in a world so lacking at present time!
I loved the identification of the trees at the start of each passage, the division by season, and the variation between personal, scientific, and quirky. The pages are thick and the printing beautiful.
This is a perfect gift to yourself or any nature lover in your life!
#goodreadsgiveaway
March 17, 2025
TreeNotes is just as the title states: notes about trees. Please don't expect any in-depth research or information on trees, that's not this book. I viewed it as almost a primer for trivia nights, giving basic, simple information on what trees the wood from railroad ties or chopsticks come from. Nadkarni does slip in tidbits of bias opinion throughout the book, but keeps it neutral enough to not make it off-putting. Overall this was neat enough to pique interest and perhaps spur ambition to dive deeper into the topic of trees and their histories.
Thank you to Nalini Nadkarni, Netgalley, and National Geographic for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to Nalini Nadkarni, Netgalley, and National Geographic for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 2, 2024
Glorious little book about trees! Woven through Nadkarni’s notes including personal stories, wisdom and experiences shares copious and varied facts about trees, that range from global traditions to pollen, petrified wood to drumsticks, and that’s just the first chapter.! It’s fascinating all of the tree knowledge, in a highly consumable note format, making it easy to reach for and get some tree education each day. It’s perfect unpredictability made me smile again and again— you know it all revolves around trees, but you wonder, what will I learn next? Perfect for tree lovers like me!🌲🫶🌲
October 6, 2025
“So the tree rustles in the evening, when we stand uneasy before our own childish thoughts: Trees have longer thoughts, long-breathing and restful, just as they have longer lives than ours... But when we have learned how to listen to trees, then the brevity and the quickness and the childlike hastiness of our thoughts achieve an incomparable joy. Whoever has learned how to listen to trees no longer wants to be a tree. He wants to be nothing except what he is. That is home. That is happiness.” And I’ve always said that.
January 28, 2025
This book would make a great gift to anyone who loves reading nature books. It is filled with the transcripts of the author's 2 minute podcasts about different tree subjects. Easy to just pick up and read one or two when you have a spare moment. I would be interested in a follow up book going into more depth of some of the subject matters. The essays are little tastes of potentially very interesting subjects.
October 7, 2024
The title accurately describes this book. The chapters are a little longer than factoids, but encompass notes. I wonder what this book will look like on paper. There is plenty of interesting tree-related information, but it seems a little scattered. Maybe a more fluid book might have resulted in more time spent massaging the information. Maybe that wasn't what was intended.
May 15, 2025
I didn't realize until I started reading the opening and recognizing the story that the author is the same person I saw recently at a Neo Geo Live talk discussing trees. The book gave me some different ways of seeing trees. It amazing how many things are related to trees or are made up of trees that you don't even think about.
December 26, 2024
This book was super informative and fun. This is a great read to gain a better understanding of many of the ways trees affect our lives. I loved the concept of the book being split into seasons. You can really tell the passion and love the author has for trees in each of the essays.
February 8, 2025
You can just feel the author's passion for the subject in this book. This is an enjoyable and engaging read about trees and their reactions with humans, history, and each other. I have learned so many wonderful things from this book. Definitely recommend!
February 28, 2025
A lovely little book reflecting on the remarkable lives of trees. These short essays were fascinating, and I wish they'd gone a little bit deeper, because I often found myself just getting into them as they were ending. But you've got to appreciate a one-sitting book!
August 10, 2025
Packed with four seasons worth of information about trees, this is a workhorse of a tome on trees, despite its brevity (122 pages). Author Nalini Nadkarni incorporates the cultural and the scientific into a very readable book.
November 27, 2024
Uncorrected proof acquired at NCTE conference.
I really liked this text. Short, non-fiction pieces about trees and the role they play in the lives of humans. I learned a lot.
I really liked this text. Short, non-fiction pieces about trees and the role they play in the lives of humans. I learned a lot.
March 4, 2025
While the price is high for such a small book, the proceeds go to a good cause. It’s a beautiful book with a lot of interesting facts.
June 9, 2025
A rather odd collection of very short essays about random trees.
June 11, 2025
A short and sweet collection of anecdotes about the trees that surround us. A fun surprise to find out the author is from my home state as well!
June 12, 2025
I love trees.
July 15, 2025
Love - Love - Love the short stories about trees.
July 18, 2025
Full of interesting nuggets of information about trees.
December 24, 2025
Lovely, fun little book of facts about trees.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews