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Tree Lore: Magic, Myth, and Wisdom from Root to Bough
Explore the vast and wondrous legends behind 35 of the world’s tree species and enjoy a new approach to nature–based spirituality.
In this nature connection and spiritual wellness tool, Dawn Nelson offers a new way of connecting with trees—and in turn the landscape and nature around us—through stories, lore, and sacred symbolism. Tales drawn from around the world (including North America, Africa, Oceana, Asia, South America, and Europe) reveal how these iconic trees have become so significant in human culture. Featuring Native American stories about the famous California redwoods, Norse myths about the mighty oak tree, Incan tales about palo santo, and Middle Eastern folklore about frankincense, Tree Lore covers many continents and cultures. Stunning illustrations capture each tree’s unique properties, and an affirmation following each tree’s story encourages readers to pause and consider its message, and can be used as a daily meditation tool to find strength in the trees and their ancient wisdom.
In this nature connection and spiritual wellness tool, Dawn Nelson offers a new way of connecting with trees—and in turn the landscape and nature around us—through stories, lore, and sacred symbolism. Tales drawn from around the world (including North America, Africa, Oceana, Asia, South America, and Europe) reveal how these iconic trees have become so significant in human culture. Featuring Native American stories about the famous California redwoods, Norse myths about the mighty oak tree, Incan tales about palo santo, and Middle Eastern folklore about frankincense, Tree Lore covers many continents and cultures. Stunning illustrations capture each tree’s unique properties, and an affirmation following each tree’s story encourages readers to pause and consider its message, and can be used as a daily meditation tool to find strength in the trees and their ancient wisdom.
- GenresNonfictionNatureScience
160 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2026
15 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Nelson
42 books62 followers I am a cattle rancher and a published author. I believe hard work and determination can make all dreams a reality.
I am living proof of that.
I was born and raised on the border in a small town named Danville, WA. My Dad was the hardest working man I have ever met. I have to thank him for my work ethic and drive to be who I am.
When I was twenty-five I was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live. I had a young baby at the time and the reality of me not being there when she took her first steps scared me.
That is when I started to write.
First, it was just letters to her so that she could have something later in life from her mother to read. Then it became all my stories and then my first novel.
Now I have thirty-three different scripts in differant forms of being complete and one book being made into a movie.
I have one book of the year award won and six more that I am up for this fall.
I have another book that will be released this fall as well as my first CD.
I look forward to meeting you all somewhere along this trail I have chosen to travel!!!!!
I am living proof of that.
I was born and raised on the border in a small town named Danville, WA. My Dad was the hardest working man I have ever met. I have to thank him for my work ethic and drive to be who I am.
When I was twenty-five I was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live. I had a young baby at the time and the reality of me not being there when she took her first steps scared me.
That is when I started to write.
First, it was just letters to her so that she could have something later in life from her mother to read. Then it became all my stories and then my first novel.
Now I have thirty-three different scripts in differant forms of being complete and one book being made into a movie.
I have one book of the year award won and six more that I am up for this fall.
I have another book that will be released this fall as well as my first CD.
I look forward to meeting you all somewhere along this trail I have chosen to travel!!!!!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 11, 2026
Trees have a lot of history, stories and medical purposes. Yay trees!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Non-fiction book about Tree Lore. Broken into 5-7 sections and providing information/tree lore on 35 tree species.
I've been a tree hugger for decades. The ash borer decimated hundreds of trees on our property. For several years I planted 100-200 trees/year (available through the county conservation district/program).
I had expected a longer story for each highlighted tree species; but this book provided many shorter overviews regarding multiple stories (as many as the author could find I'm presuming) and lots of information about that particular tree species.
Very enjoyable. Probably would look beautiful on a coffee table. Each tree species had a beautiful full page picture of the highlighted tree.
Many thanks to NetGalley, author Dawn Nelson and publisher W.W. Norton & Company for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Tree Lore in exchange for an honest review. Approx 160 pages, release date is March 31, 2026.
I've been a tree hugger for decades. The ash borer decimated hundreds of trees on our property. For several years I planted 100-200 trees/year (available through the county conservation district/program).
I had expected a longer story for each highlighted tree species; but this book provided many shorter overviews regarding multiple stories (as many as the author could find I'm presuming) and lots of information about that particular tree species.
Very enjoyable. Probably would look beautiful on a coffee table. Each tree species had a beautiful full page picture of the highlighted tree.
Many thanks to NetGalley, author Dawn Nelson and publisher W.W. Norton & Company for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Tree Lore in exchange for an honest review. Approx 160 pages, release date is March 31, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I ran out of time with this early read, but I was thoroughly enjoying it. It's an easy one to pick up and put down when you're commuting or want to fill some time between your next adventure. I learned SO much about some very unique trees within the first 37% of the book. It's inspired me to find a tree guide so I can start identifying the trees around me in the wild.
This is definitely an informative book, but has some spiritual aspects to it as well. I wish I had more time to finish it, but alas that's the problem of the ARC reader!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to sit and stare at trees, wants to be more introspective about the world around them, or just someone who wants to learn something new. There is so much between these pages!
This is definitely an informative book, but has some spiritual aspects to it as well. I wish I had more time to finish it, but alas that's the problem of the ARC reader!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to sit and stare at trees, wants to be more introspective about the world around them, or just someone who wants to learn something new. There is so much between these pages!
March 1, 2026
Really interesting blend of the natural history, mythology, and historical uses/importance of various types of trees. I really enjoyed the format, where the author split each grouping of trees into one of the elements (earth, fire, water, etc). This is the kind of book it’d be nice to keep around on a coffee table to flip through, rather than be read straight through.
Review of advance copy
Fun! If you love trees, you’ll enjoy hearing a range of traditional, folklore, myth-based, indigenous culture considerations.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews