The Tree Forager: 40 Extraordinary Trees & What to Do with Them

by Adele Nozedar

Foraging is one of the fastest-growing nature-related pastimes in the UK and US. There are many books about foraging but this is the only one that focuses on what is arguably everyone’s favourite plant – trees! It profiles 40 incredible trees from the UK and US – from apple, ash and bay to walnut, willow and yew, gorgeously illustrated with watercolour, pen and ink botanical illustrations. In her humorous, inspiring and warm text, Adele explains how we can forage from our trees, not only for food, but also for home remedies, for ingredients to use in cocktails and ferments, and for materials to make toys, musical instruments and other useful things.

Did you know that you can grind acorns into flour to make pancakes, for example, or use oak galls for ink? Or that Willow can be used for weaving; ash, hazel and oak are all good for making charcoal. Packed full of recipes and things to do, there is also a sprinkling of folklore and superstition, as well as helpful recognition tips. Overall it traces the fascinating story of the intimate relationship between humankind and our trees.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

Published August 10, 2021

About the author

Adele Nozedar has enjoyed a varied career, spanning TV presentation, being in a cult indie band, running highly-successful record labels (both independent and major) and a PR company, exhibiting her photography, writing soundtracks, and being owner/manager of a remote residential recording studio.

But the thread which underscores all these facets is an interest in matters occult and arcane; this might be as a result of having self-professed ‘wise women’ on both sides of the family.

Adele’s particular awakening to the language of birds, and their healing powers, came during her recovery from an operation, when a small hawk called a merlin appeared, which surprisingly allowed itself to be handled; although the bird disappeared after her recovery, it reappears from time to time. It was this incident which sparked a sudden realisation that birds can be the conduits to a ‘higher’ form of communication, a window to a world without words, particularly appropriate since she was deaf until the age of 7 and believes that this phase of her life has had a profound effect upon the rest of it.

Adele belongs to the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and is a healer and colour therapist. She is the author of the Illustrated Signs & Symbols Sourcebook.

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adele has done it again! Adele's natural writing style and humour perfectly combine to offer a well researched and useful guide that gardeners, children and the wood cutter from little Red Riding hood will all find terribly useful.

[Esther Nagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous book! It made me want to go out and meet the trees I haven't yet identified in my local area, and get better acquainted with the ones I do already know. A wonderful wealth of knowledge, inspiration for deep connection with these most wonderful of plants, and a writing voice that makes me want to attend one of her foraging walks as I feel it would be a lot of fun as well as hugely informative!

I'm very excited to try out some of the uses of trees, especially conker soap nuts!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book! It has way more detail than I need----confession: I skimmed----but I enjoyed it and learned a few things. Love the concept of forest bathing!

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustration
Now trees around home feels just like ornaments- miss the time when trees were part of everyday lives

[Rainier Lolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there were more historical anecdotes about each tree- especially their mythological lore. But the personal stories were nice and I’ve saved some recipes for hopefully a future date.

[Lynn Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting group of trees. Excellent resource. I will add it to my library.