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The Meaning Of Trees
The history and use of New Zealand's native plants A guide and gift book in equal measure, this treasure of a book pays homage to New Zealand's native plant species.
The Meaning of Trees tells the story of plants and people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings, paintings and photographs, it shows us how a globally unique flora has been used for food, medicine, shelter, spirituality and science. From Jurassic giants to botanical oddballs - these are our wonderful native and endemic plants, in an exquisite hardback edition.
The Meaning of Trees tells the story of plants and people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings, paintings and photographs, it shows us how a globally unique flora has been used for food, medicine, shelter, spirituality and science. From Jurassic giants to botanical oddballs - these are our wonderful native and endemic plants, in an exquisite hardback edition.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 11, 2019
I highly recommend "The Meaning of Trees". If you thought New Zealand's native plants were boring or less interesting than our birds and lizards, this book will show you otherwise! I was delighted to receive a review copy from the publishers. Here's my review.
The act of identifying and naming plants changes the way we see the bush. No longer is it a tangle of different greens, a confusing mass of different shape leaves. Bark, flowers, berries, leaves, all provide clues about the trees in the canopy above or help us distinguish the different plants in the understorey. Once we can tell them apart the bush, wetlands, coast all begin to look very different to our eyes. But learning about native plants even for those regularly in the bush can be a slow process. Among my Forest and Bird tramping group, there are repeated discussions as we remind ourselves about the differences between mataī and miro; mānuka and kānuka; horopito and toropapa. (Perhaps we can be forgiven for struggling to tell the latter two apart, as page 30 of "The Meaning of Trees" tells me this is likely to be down to plant mimicry.)
In the end, it is rich descriptions and stories that help us remember the differences and characteristics. Toetoe has drooping flowers, those of pampas are erect and spear-like. Rangiora is the bushman’s friend, its thick leaves were handy for toilet paper or writing notes on. The blood red colour below the flaking bark of mataī was seen in some traditions as representing the blood of Tunaroa, the eel god slain by Māui.
"The Meaning of Trees: the history and uses of New Zealand’s native plants" by Robert Vennell is a treasure trove of such rich descriptions and stories of our native trees, shrubs and and other plants such as vines, flax, bracken and even bull kelp. The book rewards repeated reading, and dipping into, as each time something new stands out, a whakataukī, a legend, or maybe where it got its name.
Educators whether in forest kindergartens, secondary schools or U3A will find this book invaluable. with such wonderful stories to pass on to children (and adults), they’ll be sure to be awakening interest in our native plants. I’ll be weaving snippets into my tramping group discussions, starting with the interesting idea of plant mimicry but also sharing colourful stories, two elephants have been known to die from tutu poisoning; and legends, how kauri trees and whales are brothers.
"The Meaning of Trees" explores the rich interaction between the people of New Zealand and native plants. The author’s passion for plants and curiosity about them, shines through as he addresses questions such as: What plants were sacred to Māori? Which did they use as medicine? How did early European settlers make use of plants? Which are of interest to scientists today searching for useful compounds? What native plants can you eat? This is information you’d be hard pressed to find gathered together like this from any other source.
The book is divided into sections such as ‘medicinal plants', ‘climbers, stickers and stingers’. It’s clearly laid out, nicely illustrated, with several pages devoted to each plant. It’s a shame there is no index as this would have made the information more accessible, maybe the publishers will see fit to add this in a reprint. Note: I read the hard copy which is not pictured on Goodreads. The hard copy is beautifully presented and a great addition to my shelves.
The act of identifying and naming plants changes the way we see the bush. No longer is it a tangle of different greens, a confusing mass of different shape leaves. Bark, flowers, berries, leaves, all provide clues about the trees in the canopy above or help us distinguish the different plants in the understorey. Once we can tell them apart the bush, wetlands, coast all begin to look very different to our eyes. But learning about native plants even for those regularly in the bush can be a slow process. Among my Forest and Bird tramping group, there are repeated discussions as we remind ourselves about the differences between mataī and miro; mānuka and kānuka; horopito and toropapa. (Perhaps we can be forgiven for struggling to tell the latter two apart, as page 30 of "The Meaning of Trees" tells me this is likely to be down to plant mimicry.)
In the end, it is rich descriptions and stories that help us remember the differences and characteristics. Toetoe has drooping flowers, those of pampas are erect and spear-like. Rangiora is the bushman’s friend, its thick leaves were handy for toilet paper or writing notes on. The blood red colour below the flaking bark of mataī was seen in some traditions as representing the blood of Tunaroa, the eel god slain by Māui.
"The Meaning of Trees: the history and uses of New Zealand’s native plants" by Robert Vennell is a treasure trove of such rich descriptions and stories of our native trees, shrubs and and other plants such as vines, flax, bracken and even bull kelp. The book rewards repeated reading, and dipping into, as each time something new stands out, a whakataukī, a legend, or maybe where it got its name.
Educators whether in forest kindergartens, secondary schools or U3A will find this book invaluable. with such wonderful stories to pass on to children (and adults), they’ll be sure to be awakening interest in our native plants. I’ll be weaving snippets into my tramping group discussions, starting with the interesting idea of plant mimicry but also sharing colourful stories, two elephants have been known to die from tutu poisoning; and legends, how kauri trees and whales are brothers.
"The Meaning of Trees" explores the rich interaction between the people of New Zealand and native plants. The author’s passion for plants and curiosity about them, shines through as he addresses questions such as: What plants were sacred to Māori? Which did they use as medicine? How did early European settlers make use of plants? Which are of interest to scientists today searching for useful compounds? What native plants can you eat? This is information you’d be hard pressed to find gathered together like this from any other source.
The book is divided into sections such as ‘medicinal plants', ‘climbers, stickers and stingers’. It’s clearly laid out, nicely illustrated, with several pages devoted to each plant. It’s a shame there is no index as this would have made the information more accessible, maybe the publishers will see fit to add this in a reprint. Note: I read the hard copy which is not pictured on Goodreads. The hard copy is beautifully presented and a great addition to my shelves.
October 20, 2025
So delightful, so many fun facts about New Zealand flora, te reo etymology so fun, Latin name etymology also so fun, historic uses and pūrākau for plants and trees extremely fun.
The book overall was more of a reference book and didn’t have a narrative which meant I was probably never going to love it, but still highly recommend for anyone who likes trees. Lovely as an audiobook but prepare to stop to look things up a lot.
The book overall was more of a reference book and didn’t have a narrative which meant I was probably never going to love it, but still highly recommend for anyone who likes trees. Lovely as an audiobook but prepare to stop to look things up a lot.
November 4, 2025
3.5 - Uh oh another book I want to own. At this point, I’d like to buy every Robert Vennell book.
I loved learning about the sheer variety of ways native plants were used. The illustrations were beautiful and made wonderful accompaniments to the history lessons.
It was also truly mind-boggling to me how tangata whenua utilised every part of the plant.
Anyway, a must-read for every kiwi in my opinion.
I loved learning about the sheer variety of ways native plants were used. The illustrations were beautiful and made wonderful accompaniments to the history lessons.
It was also truly mind-boggling to me how tangata whenua utilised every part of the plant.
Anyway, a must-read for every kiwi in my opinion.
June 9, 2019
Beautifully presented stories of New Zealand's native plants. This book was instantly engaging and will be read many times over- the best book I've read in a very long time. Highly recommend to any Kiwi or international readers interested in New Zealand and our natural world!! Stunning!!!!
August 24, 2020
A masterful telling of the traditional uses of New Zealand's natives and the way they defined early human settlement and continue to be used in medicine, cuisine and materials today. Rob Vennel's love of the bush oozes out of every exquisitely described plant as he weaves in the story of the Maori (then later, the colonial arrivals) and the plants they found on the newest oldest ecosystem on earth. I was surprised both by how much could be eaten and also how much should never be eaten. At least three circus elephants have been brought down by the tutu vine for instance, containing a neurotoxin in it's seeds so powerful it throws joints out of sockets when the victim seizures. Meeting and getting to know the podocarps, or 'giants' of our forest was also a delight and which more than ever need our help. Tramping will never be the same now my eyes are opened to the colourful personalities around me!
March 25, 2020
An incredible love letter to our whenua and our native plants and trees. I learned so much as about the different ways Māori used the forests around them to enhance their way of life. Treating each tree/plant as though they are a friend, loved one or a quirky uncle, Vennell takes the reader through the history of each, detailing the things that set it apart and make it useful. I slowed down and created little flash cards for each, so I could remember some of the uses and history and take them with me into my every day life. It has made a few of the bush walks I’ve been on way more interesting.
August 21, 2024
Beautiful book and well written. Highly recommend to anyone interested in New Zealand’s flora, or anyone interested in not just biology but also the cultural history of plants. I would definitely say I suffer from “plant blindness” so this was an eye opener and I learned so much. I can’t wait till I’m next out in the bush to see what I can recognise.
August 13, 2022
I had a very similar experience to Robert Vennel’s childhood. I remember exploring the vast swaths of the native bush only as a layered green blanket of various shades, completely unaware of the fascinating intricacy and beauty of the unique plant life and the stories they have to tell. I’m older now, still immersed in the bush and drunk with inspiration to listen to these tales - this book helped me uncover the brilliance of the New Zealand forest.
The relationship between the ancient peoples and the forest surprised me. How on earth did they acquire the knowledge to utilize the Karaka tree nuts and Tutu juice? Perhaps there was a lot of experimentation but I feel as though their perception of the natural world enhanced their ability to utilize its potential. Instead of viewing its manifestations as a barbaric and untamed wilderness it was understood as a generous gift of the Gods (Tane) to the people dwelling within his domain. The forest was a source of life, not a threat to it. As this relationship grew, stories emerged about the particular uses and warnings of different plant species. It is a privilege to inherit these stories and to understand them as tools to use the gifts handed to humanity within the bush. Even though the selection is limited, Vennel managed to express all of this and enhanced my curiosity even further.
The relationship between the ancient peoples and the forest surprised me. How on earth did they acquire the knowledge to utilize the Karaka tree nuts and Tutu juice? Perhaps there was a lot of experimentation but I feel as though their perception of the natural world enhanced their ability to utilize its potential. Instead of viewing its manifestations as a barbaric and untamed wilderness it was understood as a generous gift of the Gods (Tane) to the people dwelling within his domain. The forest was a source of life, not a threat to it. As this relationship grew, stories emerged about the particular uses and warnings of different plant species. It is a privilege to inherit these stories and to understand them as tools to use the gifts handed to humanity within the bush. Even though the selection is limited, Vennel managed to express all of this and enhanced my curiosity even further.
October 23, 2022
There is so much richness of detail and interest in this book I consider it to be an essential part of the New Zealand education syllabus. Churlishly, I was going to deduct a star because of over enthusiasm. I changed my mind. A piece from the introduction will give you some idea of what you are in for:
Without plants, human life as we know it could not exist. Plants produce the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the raw materials for hour houses, clothes and tools. They are the spices in our food, the beans in our coffee, the cotton in our clothes and the basis for almost all of our drugs and medicines. And it does not stop there. Not content to observe events from the sidelines, plants often step directly into our lives and shape the course of human history. They have carried us across oceans to discover new lands, fought alongside us in battle, and allowed us to communicate our ideas across the world. They have inspired great works of art and epic voyages of discovery. They have been a source of conflict and war, and of spirituality and worship. Introduction, Robert Vennell, The Meaning of Trees, (Auckland:HarperCollins, 2019), 13
September 25, 2020
An excellent, and beautifully presented, coffee table book that explores a selection of Aotearoa New Zealand's native flora, discussing the roles of various plants and trees in mythology, food, medicine and culture. Good stuff that helps open the eyes with an increased sense of awareness of what's around us.
I think this is particularly salient for me since moving to Northland and buying a property that was probably once covered in kauri. It has plenty of exotics on it - a mini botanical garden in that respect. One youngish kauri. In the year and a half since I've been here, I've planted 27 new trees - just one exotic... A little mandarin that won't grow.
The quiet stars of the show in this book are the lovely, mostly 19th century, botanical watercolours featured throughout. We get some of artists' names... people like Martha King, Sarah Fenton and Fanny Osborne. I wish the book gave us a little biography of each at the end. I'm intrigued.
I think this is particularly salient for me since moving to Northland and buying a property that was probably once covered in kauri. It has plenty of exotics on it - a mini botanical garden in that respect. One youngish kauri. In the year and a half since I've been here, I've planted 27 new trees - just one exotic... A little mandarin that won't grow.
The quiet stars of the show in this book are the lovely, mostly 19th century, botanical watercolours featured throughout. We get some of artists' names... people like Martha King, Sarah Fenton and Fanny Osborne. I wish the book gave us a little biography of each at the end. I'm intrigued.
June 15, 2024
Beautifully published and composed book (5 stars) but the writing style is terrible with every second sentence of a theme on "It is said that...". or "It is alleged that..." or "It is speculated that.." or "A study (unreferenced by the author) suggests that plant XXX may..." Basically a book of unsubstatianted heresay and Maori folklore/history with some nice facts on taxonomy and beautiful prints/watercolours.
April 4, 2024
The little history quirks made me laugh out loud, such as that captain cook made beer out of Manuka and Remu leaves, left a recipe in his diaries, and claims that some crewmates compared the taste to champagne 😂 i wanna try this brew
September 4, 2025
I read this as an audiobook, but its better suited to a physical book.
Talks all about how NZ trees and plants got their names, maori history of them and some of their uses and just generally interesting facts.
Worth the listen but I would try and get the physical version.
Talks all about how NZ trees and plants got their names, maori history of them and some of their uses and just generally interesting facts.
Worth the listen but I would try and get the physical version.
March 15, 2020
Such a beautiful book - well organised with exquisite illustrations. Something I'll treasure and refer back to. A keeper.
August 23, 2020
Beautiful
June 25, 2025
Love this book
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews