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A Forest Language: Words That Illuminate the Astonishing World of Trees
This beautifully illustrated essay collection offers a curious and creative invitation into the world of trees and the words we use to understand them.
What is crown shyness, and how could a tree be shy? What is heartwood, and what does it have to do with the heart? So often even our scientific terms are rife with surprising etymologies and images that may reveal as much about us humans and our relationship to nature as they do about the things they describe. Words related to trees and forests are no exception. With a poet’s sensibility, Hannah Fries peels back the layers of these ecological terms, reflecting on their meaning both literally and figuratively, intertwining science and metaphor.
What is crown shyness, and how could a tree be shy? What is heartwood, and what does it have to do with the heart? So often even our scientific terms are rife with surprising etymologies and images that may reveal as much about us humans and our relationship to nature as they do about the things they describe. Words related to trees and forests are no exception. With a poet’s sensibility, Hannah Fries peels back the layers of these ecological terms, reflecting on their meaning both literally and figuratively, intertwining science and metaphor.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: A Forest Language: Words That Illuminate the Astonishing World of Trees by Hannah Fries (Author), Henrike Lendowski (Illustrator), Maria Popova (Foreword).
Rating: 3/5 stars
I was immediately drawn to A Forest Language by Hannah Fries because of its gorgeous cover, and the book itself has a similarly thoughtful, inviting atmosphere. Through a series of brief essays, Fries explores ecological and botanical vocabulary while connecting scientific ideas with poetry, metaphor, and our complicated relationship with the natural world.
The collection is divided into four sections—seed and root; growth and repair; leaf and blossom; and kinship and resilience. Each chapter focuses on a particular tree-related concept, including stump sprouts, mycorrhiza, heartwood, gemel, apoptosis, tropism, pyriscence, and nurse logs. Fries explains these terms in accessible ways, then considers what their meanings might suggest beyond their literal definitions. Questions about ideas such as crown shyness—when trees avoid touching their neighbors’ crowns—and heartwood become opportunities to think about human behavior, connection, aging, and survival.
I especially enjoyed the illustrations that accompany some of the essays. They add to the book’s gentle, reflective quality, and I liked how Fries places trees within the larger cycles of nature and human life. Her writing often offers striking comparisons and beautiful images, making this feel as much like a poetic meditation as a work of popular science.
That said, I sometimes wanted more depth. Many of the subjects are introduced only briefly, so readers hoping for a detailed examination of tree biology may find the essays a little too slight. For me, the book worked best as an introduction—a collection of intriguing starting points that encouraged me to learn more about dendrology and arboriculture.
Overall, this is a lovely choice for nature lovers who enjoy reflective nonfiction and want to discover more about the remarkable abilities of trees, as well as the many ways people rely on them. It didn’t completely captivate me, but its curiosity, imagery, and appreciation for the forest make it a worthwhile read.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 3/5 stars
I was immediately drawn to A Forest Language by Hannah Fries because of its gorgeous cover, and the book itself has a similarly thoughtful, inviting atmosphere. Through a series of brief essays, Fries explores ecological and botanical vocabulary while connecting scientific ideas with poetry, metaphor, and our complicated relationship with the natural world.
The collection is divided into four sections—seed and root; growth and repair; leaf and blossom; and kinship and resilience. Each chapter focuses on a particular tree-related concept, including stump sprouts, mycorrhiza, heartwood, gemel, apoptosis, tropism, pyriscence, and nurse logs. Fries explains these terms in accessible ways, then considers what their meanings might suggest beyond their literal definitions. Questions about ideas such as crown shyness—when trees avoid touching their neighbors’ crowns—and heartwood become opportunities to think about human behavior, connection, aging, and survival.
I especially enjoyed the illustrations that accompany some of the essays. They add to the book’s gentle, reflective quality, and I liked how Fries places trees within the larger cycles of nature and human life. Her writing often offers striking comparisons and beautiful images, making this feel as much like a poetic meditation as a work of popular science.
That said, I sometimes wanted more depth. Many of the subjects are introduced only briefly, so readers hoping for a detailed examination of tree biology may find the essays a little too slight. For me, the book worked best as an introduction—a collection of intriguing starting points that encouraged me to learn more about dendrology and arboriculture.
Overall, this is a lovely choice for nature lovers who enjoy reflective nonfiction and want to discover more about the remarkable abilities of trees, as well as the many ways people rely on them. It didn’t completely captivate me, but its curiosity, imagery, and appreciation for the forest make it a worthwhile read.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As the book beautifully explains at the start, it serves as a "lexicon of wonder that invites you to eavesdrop on ancient silent conversations" and acts as "a reminder that wording is an instrument of worlding".
Although I have always had a keen interest in nature, A Forest Language taught me so much new terminology regarding trees and forests. Hannah Fries introduces complex ecological concepts and terms concisely and poetically, making the science feel entirely accessible to anyone keen to learn more. Several reflections really stood out and stayed with me long after reading: that "sessile doesn't mean motionless", that "it is hard to walk away from a tree", that "in the woods, a good snag is pure sculpture" and simply that "life is nothing if not creative".
It is far too easy to view these towering giants as static objects, but trees are true wonders of nature. Their intricate structures and subtle ways of communicating are extraordinary, and something our wider society needs to appreciate and understand better.
Told through short, beautifully written essays accompanied by delicate illustrations, the author takes you on a reflective journey through North American forests. Reading it felt almost meditative, bringing a sense of calm and peace. My only personal reservation was a brief section regarding bow hunting a deer, which did not align with my own views, but that is entirely a matter of personal perspective.
Overall, it is a quick, accessible and gentle read that encourages you to look at the woods around you with fresh eyes.
Although I have always had a keen interest in nature, A Forest Language taught me so much new terminology regarding trees and forests. Hannah Fries introduces complex ecological concepts and terms concisely and poetically, making the science feel entirely accessible to anyone keen to learn more. Several reflections really stood out and stayed with me long after reading: that "sessile doesn't mean motionless", that "it is hard to walk away from a tree", that "in the woods, a good snag is pure sculpture" and simply that "life is nothing if not creative".
It is far too easy to view these towering giants as static objects, but trees are true wonders of nature. Their intricate structures and subtle ways of communicating are extraordinary, and something our wider society needs to appreciate and understand better.
Told through short, beautifully written essays accompanied by delicate illustrations, the author takes you on a reflective journey through North American forests. Reading it felt almost meditative, bringing a sense of calm and peace. My only personal reservation was a brief section regarding bow hunting a deer, which did not align with my own views, but that is entirely a matter of personal perspective.
Overall, it is a quick, accessible and gentle read that encourages you to look at the woods around you with fresh eyes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love trees and I enjoyed what a quick read this was, though I wish it had a bit more depth!
Through multiple short essays, the author utilizes ecological terms associated with trees to unite the science and the beauty/poetry of these incredible life-givers.
The four sections include seed and root, growth and repair, leaf and blossom, and kinship and resilience. I loved the illustrations that went along with some of the topics, and it was enlightening to connect the life cycles of trees with the rest of nature and humanity.
The essays offer a small look into elements such as stump sprouts, mycorrhiza, heartwood, gemel, apoptosis, tropism, pyriscence, nurse logs, and more. This book is a great starting point for doing more research into dendrology and arboriculture, while providing beautiful metaphors the reader can apply to their own life.
I recommend this to anyone who loves nature and wants to learn a little about the vast abilities of trees and the resources they provide.
** Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for access to the e-arc!
🌱🌳🌲🍃
Through multiple short essays, the author utilizes ecological terms associated with trees to unite the science and the beauty/poetry of these incredible life-givers.
The four sections include seed and root, growth and repair, leaf and blossom, and kinship and resilience. I loved the illustrations that went along with some of the topics, and it was enlightening to connect the life cycles of trees with the rest of nature and humanity.
The essays offer a small look into elements such as stump sprouts, mycorrhiza, heartwood, gemel, apoptosis, tropism, pyriscence, nurse logs, and more. This book is a great starting point for doing more research into dendrology and arboriculture, while providing beautiful metaphors the reader can apply to their own life.
I recommend this to anyone who loves nature and wants to learn a little about the vast abilities of trees and the resources they provide.
** Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for access to the e-arc!
🌱🌳🌲🍃
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Forest Language is a welcome, nourishing encounter at the crossroads of science and poetry, of fact and meaning, of understanding and intoxicating awe.
This book gives marvelous voice to the weight of story we feel walking beneath the trees. With Fries's poetic insight at our shoulder, we trace the fluttering green in the branches to its origin in living cells adrift in ancient seas; we celebrate the magic in an array of topics from the first leaves of spring to the life-sustaining decay beneath the leaf litter. Reading A Forest Language has forever enriched my woodland walks.
(If you're a nature/poetry nerd like me, you'll want to preorder this book.)
This book gives marvelous voice to the weight of story we feel walking beneath the trees. With Fries's poetic insight at our shoulder, we trace the fluttering green in the branches to its origin in living cells adrift in ancient seas; we celebrate the magic in an array of topics from the first leaves of spring to the life-sustaining decay beneath the leaf litter. Reading A Forest Language has forever enriched my woodland walks.
(If you're a nature/poetry nerd like me, you'll want to preorder this book.)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
a collection of short introspective essays about trees. an informative reflection on the interconectedness of nature (including us—human life!)
there's something almost meditative about this book, perhaps due to the clear mindfulness in display. the author lists facts about trees with such affection that it clearly comes from a lot of positive personal experience with forests. as someone who grew up in a grey city, the very idea of it brings to my mind an almost wistful charm.
i really enjoyed this. highly recommend to lovers of nature and creative non-fiction. thank you to netgalley and storey publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
there's something almost meditative about this book, perhaps due to the clear mindfulness in display. the author lists facts about trees with such affection that it clearly comes from a lot of positive personal experience with forests. as someone who grew up in a grey city, the very idea of it brings to my mind an almost wistful charm.
i really enjoyed this. highly recommend to lovers of nature and creative non-fiction. thank you to netgalley and storey publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2026
I liked the lovely little illustrations; the individual essays were quite short (mostly too short for my liking). This book is something that sparks a fascination with forests and provides a lovely foundation for delving even deeper into the subject.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews