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Trees: Between Earth and Heaven
Art Wolfe’s immersive photos capture the wonder humans have felt about trees for millennia.
From the biblical Tree of Life to the Native American Tree of Peace, trees have played an archetypal role in human culture and spirituality since time immemorial. An integral part of a variety of faiths—from Buddhism and Hinduism to Native American and aboriginal religions—trees were venerated long before any written historical records existed.
Through the vivid images of legendary photographer Art Wolfe, Trees focuses on both individual specimens and entire forests, and offers a sweeping yet intimate look at an arboreal world that spans six continents. Author Gregory McNamee weaves a diverse and global account of the myths, cultures, and traditions that convey the long-standing symbiosis between trees and humans, and renowned ethnobotanist Wade Davis anchors the text with a penetrating introduction. Humans have always shared this planet with trees, and Trees by Art Wolfe is a breathtaking journey through and homage to that relationship and its past, present, and future.
From the biblical Tree of Life to the Native American Tree of Peace, trees have played an archetypal role in human culture and spirituality since time immemorial. An integral part of a variety of faiths—from Buddhism and Hinduism to Native American and aboriginal religions—trees were venerated long before any written historical records existed.
Through the vivid images of legendary photographer Art Wolfe, Trees focuses on both individual specimens and entire forests, and offers a sweeping yet intimate look at an arboreal world that spans six continents. Author Gregory McNamee weaves a diverse and global account of the myths, cultures, and traditions that convey the long-standing symbiosis between trees and humans, and renowned ethnobotanist Wade Davis anchors the text with a penetrating introduction. Humans have always shared this planet with trees, and Trees by Art Wolfe is a breathtaking journey through and homage to that relationship and its past, present, and future.
318 pages, Hardcover
Published November 20, 2018
142 people want to read
About the author
Gregory McNamee
60 books8 followersGregory McNamee is a writer, journalist, editor, photographer, and publisher. He is the author or title-page editor of thirty-five books and more than four thousand periodical publications, including articles, essays, reviews, interviews, editorials, poems, and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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March 12, 2022large-scale photo spreads that exhibit the might and magnificence of trees spreading upward from the earth, and the sheer luxury of experience of sharing the planet with these giants
January 6, 2019
A wonderful trip across the globe to see nature’s sentinels.
The photographs in this book are stunning and supported with interesting text. There are few words to write about what is a primarily visual experience.
If you love nature and want to see amazing photography- this is a great choice.
The photographs in this book are stunning and supported with interesting text. There are few words to write about what is a primarily visual experience.
If you love nature and want to see amazing photography- this is a great choice.
January 3, 2019
Beautiful photography. Love trees, so this was perfect. Took me back to my time visiting Muir Woods and the great trees out west.
May 22, 2021
I have the "gift book" version of this book, which is a bit smaller, and squarer in shape.
Now I don't know if it's because of that version of the book, but quite a number of pictures were severely over saturated, and sometimes blurry. Which seems weirdly incongruent with the otherwise wonderful quality of the photography.
Additionally, I did not like the texts so much, focusing mostly on mysticism surrounding trees. The picture notes in the appendix at the very end of the book were much more informative, but sadly not integrated into the book's text.
Overall, I liked the pictures, but not the text or the print. Perhaps the bigger original version is better.
Now I don't know if it's because of that version of the book, but quite a number of pictures were severely over saturated, and sometimes blurry. Which seems weirdly incongruent with the otherwise wonderful quality of the photography.
Additionally, I did not like the texts so much, focusing mostly on mysticism surrounding trees. The picture notes in the appendix at the very end of the book were much more informative, but sadly not integrated into the book's text.
Overall, I liked the pictures, but not the text or the print. Perhaps the bigger original version is better.
March 30, 2020
The photographs here are stupendous and the stories behind them compelling. There are Trees and ecosystems here you can hardly believe exist. From the thorn canopy in Tanzania to the banyn engulfing while buildings in Cambodia, the book reminds you to get outdoors and see something new.
April 3, 2024
As primarily a photo-focussed coffee table book featuring Art Wolfe’s immersive work with trees of all kinds, Trees: Between Earth and Heaven functions primarily as a love letter to trees. Divided by continent, it features varying species, particularly the most beautiful species Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America have to offer. The Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum), feature as the cover photo, easily showcasing one of the most outstanding photos contained within the collection.
Additional photos that generate a sense of awe feature the following species: Acacia (Vachellia karroo), Baobab (Adansonia Digitata), Cherry Blossom (Prunus serrulate), Sequoia, English Oak (Quercus robur), and Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum). Indeed, the flip of each page reveals McNamee’s exquisite attention to the role trees play — and have played — in our lives, and a sentimentality that should bring our appreciation for them full circle.
4 stars. A brilliant coffee table book, this work stands as a testament to the implicit durability of trees, our connection to them, and the continued, imperative need for their preservation.
Additional photos that generate a sense of awe feature the following species: Acacia (Vachellia karroo), Baobab (Adansonia Digitata), Cherry Blossom (Prunus serrulate), Sequoia, English Oak (Quercus robur), and Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum). Indeed, the flip of each page reveals McNamee’s exquisite attention to the role trees play — and have played — in our lives, and a sentimentality that should bring our appreciation for them full circle.
4 stars. A brilliant coffee table book, this work stands as a testament to the implicit durability of trees, our connection to them, and the continued, imperative need for their preservation.
November 9, 2020
Lovely book with beautiful photography. The book is divided by geographic areas and the editors editors made several errors in the binding, mixing regions . It is still worth having and reading.
September 3, 2023
5★: AWESOME COFFEE TABLE BOOK. Extra bonus that it featured quite a bit from the PNW.
January 11, 2022
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Celebrating a world of arborescent wonder
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“We live in a world of trees. We live in a world of water, and rocks, and sky—and a world of symbols and words.
For as long as we humans have lived on this planet we have told stories of the places we live in and came from, and so we have told stories about trees.
In word and image, [this] book that you hold in your hands celebrates all these things: trees, their majesty and essential nature, their beauty and the beauty they have inspired.”
The above quote (in italics) comes from this magnificent book by Art Wolfe (responsible for this book’s photographs) and Gregory McNamee (responsible for this book’s text). Wolfe is an award-winning photographer who has worked on every continent and in hundreds of locations over the course of his forty-year career. His photographs are recognized world-wide. McNamee is a writer, journalist, editor, and publisher. He is the author or editor of forty books and more than six thousand periodical pieces.
The colour photos found in this book are just exquisite. I counted over 250 of them. Chapters consist of photos that have one, two, and even three page spreads with captions.
This book focuses both on photos of individual tree specimens and entire forests. It offers a sweeping yet intimate look at an arboreal world that spans six continents from Africa to South America.
The photograph on this book’s front cover (shown above by Good Reads) is of giant sequoias found in Yosemite National Park (located in California).
The text found in this book is well-written. Generally, it gives an account of the myths, cultures, and traditions that form the ever-enduring symbiosis between trees and humans. The text also contains some interesting facts about trees.
Finally, be aware that this is a big book. I measured a page to be 11 inches by 14 inches. Its weight is over 7 pounds!!
In conclusion, this is an astonishing book that pays homage to trees: truly marvels of engineering!!!
(2018; introduction; preamble: a world of trees; 6 chapters; conclusion: life, death, and rebirth; main narrative 315 pages; photo notes; acknowledgements)
XXXXX
Celebrating a world of arborescent wonder
XXXXX
“We live in a world of trees. We live in a world of water, and rocks, and sky—and a world of symbols and words.
For as long as we humans have lived on this planet we have told stories of the places we live in and came from, and so we have told stories about trees.
In word and image, [this] book that you hold in your hands celebrates all these things: trees, their majesty and essential nature, their beauty and the beauty they have inspired.”
The above quote (in italics) comes from this magnificent book by Art Wolfe (responsible for this book’s photographs) and Gregory McNamee (responsible for this book’s text). Wolfe is an award-winning photographer who has worked on every continent and in hundreds of locations over the course of his forty-year career. His photographs are recognized world-wide. McNamee is a writer, journalist, editor, and publisher. He is the author or editor of forty books and more than six thousand periodical pieces.
The colour photos found in this book are just exquisite. I counted over 250 of them. Chapters consist of photos that have one, two, and even three page spreads with captions.
This book focuses both on photos of individual tree specimens and entire forests. It offers a sweeping yet intimate look at an arboreal world that spans six continents from Africa to South America.
The photograph on this book’s front cover (shown above by Good Reads) is of giant sequoias found in Yosemite National Park (located in California).
The text found in this book is well-written. Generally, it gives an account of the myths, cultures, and traditions that form the ever-enduring symbiosis between trees and humans. The text also contains some interesting facts about trees.
Finally, be aware that this is a big book. I measured a page to be 11 inches by 14 inches. Its weight is over 7 pounds!!
In conclusion, this is an astonishing book that pays homage to trees: truly marvels of engineering!!!
(2018; introduction; preamble: a world of trees; 6 chapters; conclusion: life, death, and rebirth; main narrative 315 pages; photo notes; acknowledgements)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews