Treepedia: A Brief Compendium of Arboreal Lore

by Joan Maloof

A captivating A-Z treasury for the tree hugger in all of us

Treepedia is an entertaining and fact-filled illustrated compendium of tree lore. Featuring nearly 100 entries--on topics ranging from tree ecology and conservation to the role of trees in religion, literature, art, and movies--this enticing collection is a celebration of all things arboreal.

In this charming book, Joan Maloof explains the difference between a cedar and a cypress, and reveals where to find the most remarkable trees on the planet. She tells the story behind the venerable Bodhi Tree, and describes peculiar species like baobabs and Fitzroya. Maloof profiles legendary conservationists such as Julia Butterfly Hill, John Muir, Wangari Maathai, and Ken Wu. She discusses reforestation, proforestation, emerald ash borers, the ents from The Lord of the Rings, culturally modified trees, the ill-fated and controversial Redwood Summer, and much more. The book's portable size makes it the perfect travel companion no matter where your love of the forest may lead you.

With enchanting illustrations by Maren Westfall, Treepedia is a fun and informative book that is guaranteed to inspire anyone who has ever enjoyed a walk in the woods.

Features a real cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design
Uses 100 percent recycled, uncoated, wood-free paper

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Plants

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2021

About the author

I have had six nonfiction books published by trade and university presses, and five are still in print. I have had numerous essays, chapters, journal articles, and poems published. I have received writing awards, including the Mary Byrd Davis Award, (a writer’s residency at Bordeneuve Retreat, France); the Eric Hoffer Book Award (finalist); and the International Silent Spring Essay Competition.

I have a PhD in Ecology and I am a Professor Emeritus at Salisbury University in Maryland. I am the Founder of the national Old-Growth Forest Network.

Reviews

[Jaiden van Bork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally just a cute little book about trees idk guys. I was definitely pretty tree-positive before reading, but this has turned me into a genuine tree-enjoyer. Living around so much forest, I have a deep appreciation for the experience that such an environment can produce, and getting to learn the ins and outs of how these ecosystems work adds a whole other dimension. Trees and forest are ESSENTIAL.

Will be taking a walk in the woods ASAP

[Vince McCollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and utterly enjoyable to read, I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait ti read the rest of the series!
Ps, they should continue publishing these as I would keep reading them

[Mr. Shoemaker]

A fun little forest-themed compendium. I was delighted to see that Ohio's own Nancy Stranahan, founder of the Arc of Appalachia preserve system had her own entry. Those Arc of Appalachia people are doing good work https://www.arcofappalachia.org

[Bryce Stachewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book with a lot of topics I’m familiar with. Good reinforcement

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lively, incisive guide to trees and all who love them. Highly recommended!

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An almost exclusively temperate zone focused coverage - pine, spruce, birch, willow, conifers, redwoods, you get the drift. While all trees to me are impressive and interesting in their own right, the neglecting of the center of biodiversity of the tropical realm left a gaping hole in a work that purportedly should discuss everything about its subject. I had expected that at least an entry like 'rain forest' where all terrestrial life, plants included, are at their peak density of species, would be unavoidable. Alas, the closest I got to the tropics was under the entry for 'figs', which I suppose are mostly a tropical species group. The author definitely catered to a Western audience here. Also, for a title in this series the book was a little on the thin side, so it was kind of a wasted opportunity due to its incompleteness.

[Brian Hutzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across Princeton Press’s Pedia series while looking up information about the Golden Nature Guides I remember loving as a child. The Pedia books are a similar compact size, written for a general audience, but more in-depth than the Golden Guides. Physically, the books have a nice feel to them, with hard, sturdy, textured canvas covers, most of them hovering between 150-250 pages. Treepedia covers tidbits about trees from around the world, as well as information on scientists, stories, and myths related to trees. And yes, The Lorax gets his own entry! This is written in an encyclopedic format, so feel free to bounce around from entry to entry.

[Rix · Rating 1 out of 5]

Teehee it's just a cute little book about trees!!!!!!!

Like...I know this is aimed at the American market but the level of American exceptionalism on display here is wild. The fact that it veers off into orientalist stereotypes about just about anyone who isn't white is it's own kettle of fish but by GOD did this need to be senstivity checked by at least one Native American nation jesus christ.

That it rounds off with a snide bit of anti-Arab racism pared with good old fashioned zionism really is the death knell here. Yes it's very cool to be a woman in stem but please take a history class or smth before writing a book.

[Shanreadsnwrites · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a book or compendium about trees? This book is broken down into bite-sized alphabetical entries, with lots of them about people, places, and pop-culture references written in a story-like way. It was more enjoyable and easier to read than I thought. I won’t remember it all, but will go back to for sure. I think some entries could’ve been written with more sensitivity, especially regarding conservationists’ racism and Indigenous communities. This book should've highlight more BIPOC voices/profiles as well. 4.25/5 stars

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea. Written in dictionary style. Wanted more information about those topics listed and was curious as to the election process, as much more was not included.

The poem "Trees" was written by Alfred Joyce Kilmer. There is a 3,800 acres memorial national forest in western North Carolina

[Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little book of fun tree-related facts. The illustrations are the best part - lovely drawings, very detailed.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little book full of interesting information about trees, a selection of naturalists who specialised in trees, and even trees in pop culture. Easy to read and great for laymen.

[Douglass Gaking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little book of facts you didn't know you needed to know about trees. Short and very focused on the United States. Don't take it too seriously and just enjoy the ride.