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The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees
The secret world of trees is revealed in this beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world.
Trees occur naturally throughout the world and have been a part of human history almost as long as humans have existed. Used for shelter, tools, fuel, and food, they also help supply the atmosphere with oxygen and form astonishingly diverse ecosystems, as well as some of the world's most beautiful landscapes. Now the intricate world of leafy woodlands and abundant rainforests is revealed in this extensive visual guide to trees, exploring their key scientific traits and their ecological importance, as well as their enduring significance in human history and culture. From ancient oaks and great redwoods to lush banyans and imposing kapoks, The Tree Book reveals the anatomy, behaviors, and beauty of these incredible plants and habitats in detail.
Combining natural history and a scientific overview with a wider look at the history, uses, symbolism, and mythology of trees, this book is a new kind of guide to these fascinating organisms.
Trees occur naturally throughout the world and have been a part of human history almost as long as humans have existed. Used for shelter, tools, fuel, and food, they also help supply the atmosphere with oxygen and form astonishingly diverse ecosystems, as well as some of the world's most beautiful landscapes. Now the intricate world of leafy woodlands and abundant rainforests is revealed in this extensive visual guide to trees, exploring their key scientific traits and their ecological importance, as well as their enduring significance in human history and culture. From ancient oaks and great redwoods to lush banyans and imposing kapoks, The Tree Book reveals the anatomy, behaviors, and beauty of these incredible plants and habitats in detail.
Combining natural history and a scientific overview with a wider look at the history, uses, symbolism, and mythology of trees, this book is a new kind of guide to these fascinating organisms.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published May 17, 2022
82 people are currently reading
691 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Publishing
9,124 books2,072 followersDorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 6, 2022
DK Publishing's 2022 The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees is with regard to what is textually being featured pretty darn perfect as a general but still sufficiently extensive introduction, covering the specific scientific facts regarding trees (from the evolution of trees to how trees work, as well as providing relevant details on a large number of both non flowering and flowering trees, separated respectively into two main sections).
But alongside of the textual presentation of trees from a botantical perspective, The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees also demonstrates how we humans have made and continue to make use of trees (of wood), that clearcutting and indiscriminate logging is threatening many trees and many ecosystems and that global warming is having a very negative effect on in particular the northern, the boreal forests of the world. Combined with wonderful accompanying illustrations and often really beautiful, spectacular photographs, if I were to only consider what the contributors to The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees have written content and thematics wise, yes indeed, my rating would certainly be solidly five stars (and especially so since there is also neither textual awkwardness nor botany based scientific jargon to be found within the pages of The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees, just a solidly informative but still sufficiently simple account of what trees are and what they signify, and yes, that while The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees, has not been specifically penned with younger readers in mind, the delightful general simplicity of the presented text, of the printed words makes The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees in my opinion suitable for anyone above the age of around eleven or twelve, provided of course that they are in fact interested in reading and learning about trees).
But well and honestly, for me to actually consider a five star rating for a one hundred percent non fiction tome on trees (and actually, on basically anything), there absolutely would need to be an included bibliography, there would have to be an acknowledgment of utilised secondary (and also primary) sources. And since that is unfortunately not the case with The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees, I am therefore only able to grant a four star rating for The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees and to point out that the lack of biographical information does definitely lower the educational value of this book for me, not a lot mind you, but most definitely a trifle (with me defintely wondering and questioning why there is no bibliography for The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees and why this in fact seems to be the case with all of the DK Publishing books I have read to date).
And by the way, The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees is as a so-called coffee table book also rather large, heavy, unwieldy and is thus best read if it is actually lying completely flat on top of a coffee table or some other large surface (not really a major issue for me, but I do want to point out The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees is definitely more than a bit over-sized). And I would also NOT recommend trying any of these DK publications as e-books, since the ones I have tried on my Kindle, they have all had frustrating issues with font sizes and annoying blurriness.
But alongside of the textual presentation of trees from a botantical perspective, The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees also demonstrates how we humans have made and continue to make use of trees (of wood), that clearcutting and indiscriminate logging is threatening many trees and many ecosystems and that global warming is having a very negative effect on in particular the northern, the boreal forests of the world. Combined with wonderful accompanying illustrations and often really beautiful, spectacular photographs, if I were to only consider what the contributors to The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees have written content and thematics wise, yes indeed, my rating would certainly be solidly five stars (and especially so since there is also neither textual awkwardness nor botany based scientific jargon to be found within the pages of The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees, just a solidly informative but still sufficiently simple account of what trees are and what they signify, and yes, that while The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees, has not been specifically penned with younger readers in mind, the delightful general simplicity of the presented text, of the printed words makes The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees in my opinion suitable for anyone above the age of around eleven or twelve, provided of course that they are in fact interested in reading and learning about trees).
But well and honestly, for me to actually consider a five star rating for a one hundred percent non fiction tome on trees (and actually, on basically anything), there absolutely would need to be an included bibliography, there would have to be an acknowledgment of utilised secondary (and also primary) sources. And since that is unfortunately not the case with The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees, I am therefore only able to grant a four star rating for The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees and to point out that the lack of biographical information does definitely lower the educational value of this book for me, not a lot mind you, but most definitely a trifle (with me defintely wondering and questioning why there is no bibliography for The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees and why this in fact seems to be the case with all of the DK Publishing books I have read to date).
And by the way, The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees is as a so-called coffee table book also rather large, heavy, unwieldy and is thus best read if it is actually lying completely flat on top of a coffee table or some other large surface (not really a major issue for me, but I do want to point out The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees is definitely more than a bit over-sized). And I would also NOT recommend trying any of these DK publications as e-books, since the ones I have tried on my Kindle, they have all had frustrating issues with font sizes and annoying blurriness.
November 21, 2022
Everything I could have wanted out of a book of this kind. There was much to learn, I loved the visuals, and it was fun. Aside from a few technical errors, I really don't have anything to nitpick about. This was a delight.
March 16, 2025
This was really interesting! I love DK books to begin with. And trees are wonderful. So I just knew this would be a great book. Some highlights were learning more about frankincense and Sakura.
October 8, 2022
It’s a book about trees. Of course I loved it!!!
November 21, 2025
Can trees get anything less than all the stars? Full of beautiful pictures, one of the most fascinating reads I've ever come across. It included historical facts, biology, ancient use and use in medicine, and combined symbiosis with humans, animals and insects. Unfortunately everything was on a backdrop of the climate crisis which was very depressing but nature will always be absolutely mesmerizing.
June 24, 2022
A fine coffee-table book. Some lovely pictures. And plenty of info.
July 12, 2022
I am very enamored by this beautiful book
April 21, 2023
Dieses Review bezieht sich auf die deutsche Edition mit der ISBN 9783831045419, die bei Dorling Kindersley Deutschland veröffentlicht wurde.
Es gibt Unmengen an Büchern über die Tierwelt, aber (zumindest gefühlt) nur sehr wenige über die Pflanzenwelt. Dabei sind wir immer von Pflanzen im Allgemeinen und Bäumen im speziellen umgeben. Wie wunderbar ist es, ein Buch in der Hand zu halten, dass sich genau dieses Themas annimmt und einen sehr besonderen Blick auf diese speziellen Lebenspartner des Menschen wirft.
Dieses großformatige Buch zeigt dem Leser aber nicht nur einfach die Welt der Bäume, sondern wirft zum einen ein Blick auf die unterschiedlichen Arten und wo diese vorkommen und zum anderen, in welcher Beziehung der Mensch zu diesen steht. Es gibt nämlich sehr viele Details zu entdecken, je nachdem, welche Baumart man sich näher anschaut. Bevor die Autoren mit der Vorstellung der einzelnen Baumarten loslegen, wird dem Leser die »Welt der Bäume« im Allgemeinen nähergebracht. Wie werden sie klassifiziert, wie leben und vermehren sich Bäume und in welchen Zonen der Erde kommen sie vor.
Dann geht es endlich los, wobei wenig überraschend das Buch in Laub- und Nadelbäume unterteilt ist. Der Aufbau der Präsentation des Baums ist immer ähnlich. Nach Möglichkeit werden immer alle Informationen zu einer Art präsentiert. Dazu gehört der Baum selbst, seine Blätter und seine Früchte und manchmal auch seine Rinde. Zu manchen Bäumen gibt es nur sehr wenig zu erzählen, so dass diese nur eine Seite füllen, während andere Baumarten gleich über mehrere Seiten vorgestellt werden.
Dies hängt damit zusammen, welche Geschichten es über diese Bäume zu erzählen gibt. So ist es zwar spannend zu erfahren, dass Zimtstangen die abgeschälte Rinde des Ceylon-Zimtbaums sind (na, wer hatte dies gewusst), aber sehr viel mehr konnte wohl zu diesem Baum nicht zusammengetragen werden. Ganz anders sieht das z.B. beim Zuckerahorn aus. Darüber konnten sehr viel mehr Informationen zusammengetragen werden (aus ihm wird der Ahornsirup hergestellt).
Fazit
Ein großartiges Buch, das mich sehr begeistert zurücklässt. Was eventuell auch daran liegen mag, dass ich mehr der Wald-Mensch bin und ich mich sehr gern in Gegenwart von Bäumen aufhalte. Dieses Buch bietet eine sehr gute Mischung aus Baum-Bestimmung und Vermittlung von Geschichte unterschiedlichster Art.
Es gibt Unmengen an Büchern über die Tierwelt, aber (zumindest gefühlt) nur sehr wenige über die Pflanzenwelt. Dabei sind wir immer von Pflanzen im Allgemeinen und Bäumen im speziellen umgeben. Wie wunderbar ist es, ein Buch in der Hand zu halten, dass sich genau dieses Themas annimmt und einen sehr besonderen Blick auf diese speziellen Lebenspartner des Menschen wirft.
Dieses großformatige Buch zeigt dem Leser aber nicht nur einfach die Welt der Bäume, sondern wirft zum einen ein Blick auf die unterschiedlichen Arten und wo diese vorkommen und zum anderen, in welcher Beziehung der Mensch zu diesen steht. Es gibt nämlich sehr viele Details zu entdecken, je nachdem, welche Baumart man sich näher anschaut. Bevor die Autoren mit der Vorstellung der einzelnen Baumarten loslegen, wird dem Leser die »Welt der Bäume« im Allgemeinen nähergebracht. Wie werden sie klassifiziert, wie leben und vermehren sich Bäume und in welchen Zonen der Erde kommen sie vor.
Dann geht es endlich los, wobei wenig überraschend das Buch in Laub- und Nadelbäume unterteilt ist. Der Aufbau der Präsentation des Baums ist immer ähnlich. Nach Möglichkeit werden immer alle Informationen zu einer Art präsentiert. Dazu gehört der Baum selbst, seine Blätter und seine Früchte und manchmal auch seine Rinde. Zu manchen Bäumen gibt es nur sehr wenig zu erzählen, so dass diese nur eine Seite füllen, während andere Baumarten gleich über mehrere Seiten vorgestellt werden.
Dies hängt damit zusammen, welche Geschichten es über diese Bäume zu erzählen gibt. So ist es zwar spannend zu erfahren, dass Zimtstangen die abgeschälte Rinde des Ceylon-Zimtbaums sind (na, wer hatte dies gewusst), aber sehr viel mehr konnte wohl zu diesem Baum nicht zusammengetragen werden. Ganz anders sieht das z.B. beim Zuckerahorn aus. Darüber konnten sehr viel mehr Informationen zusammengetragen werden (aus ihm wird der Ahornsirup hergestellt).
Fazit
Ein großartiges Buch, das mich sehr begeistert zurücklässt. Was eventuell auch daran liegen mag, dass ich mehr der Wald-Mensch bin und ich mich sehr gern in Gegenwart von Bäumen aufhalte. Dieses Buch bietet eine sehr gute Mischung aus Baum-Bestimmung und Vermittlung von Geschichte unterschiedlichster Art.
November 9, 2024
I have to admit that I didn't read every word. It's big and heavy, with small print, just too much for my old eyes. But I still found myself squinting & learning so much... even though I only checked it out for the pictures!
"A mature (English?) oak tree supports around 2300 species, 326 of which are entirely dependent on it."
Suzanne Simard should get credit for "wood wide web."
"When a giraffe begins to browse an acacia's leaves, the tree response by releasing ethylene gas, and this chemical warning triggers acacias downwind to flood their leaves with distasteful tannins. Giraffes have learned to browse upwind."
We got a pet snake, a captive-bred Spotted Python. Its ancestors may have come from Kakadu National Park, and judging by the photo, of that, I want a poster of the park to hang above the enclosure.
We also bought our house this fall from our landlord and are considering planting a tree. I wonder if a Southern Magnolia would be easy to grow and care for. I know they're not invasive or anything here but I don't know why I don't see more around the neighborhood.
Records of flowering times of the cherry trees in Kyoto go back over 1200 years and show indeed that, since the Industrial Revolution and increased urbanization, the times have averaged earlier in the year.
Sir Linden, from the marvelous The Bees, is named after the (European?) Linden. " European Linden flowers produce copious amounts of nectar and are a popular food source for foraging bees, Several instances have been recorded where large numbers of dead bees were found beneath Linden trees. The cause of these strange events remains somewhat mysterious. In some cases, the trees were sprayed with insecticide to control aphids, and the bees were unintended casualties. Otherwise, Linden trees often carry a heavy burden of sap-sucking aphids, and the honeydew released by the insects creates a sticky mess below, possibly trapping the bees. Another possibility is that bees become addicted to Linden nectar and die from starvation once it runs out."
"A mature (English?) oak tree supports around 2300 species, 326 of which are entirely dependent on it."
Suzanne Simard should get credit for "wood wide web."
"When a giraffe begins to browse an acacia's leaves, the tree response by releasing ethylene gas, and this chemical warning triggers acacias downwind to flood their leaves with distasteful tannins. Giraffes have learned to browse upwind."
We got a pet snake, a captive-bred Spotted Python. Its ancestors may have come from Kakadu National Park, and judging by the photo, of that, I want a poster of the park to hang above the enclosure.
We also bought our house this fall from our landlord and are considering planting a tree. I wonder if a Southern Magnolia would be easy to grow and care for. I know they're not invasive or anything here but I don't know why I don't see more around the neighborhood.
Records of flowering times of the cherry trees in Kyoto go back over 1200 years and show indeed that, since the Industrial Revolution and increased urbanization, the times have averaged earlier in the year.
Sir Linden, from the marvelous The Bees, is named after the (European?) Linden. " European Linden flowers produce copious amounts of nectar and are a popular food source for foraging bees, Several instances have been recorded where large numbers of dead bees were found beneath Linden trees. The cause of these strange events remains somewhat mysterious. In some cases, the trees were sprayed with insecticide to control aphids, and the bees were unintended casualties. Otherwise, Linden trees often carry a heavy burden of sap-sucking aphids, and the honeydew released by the insects creates a sticky mess below, possibly trapping the bees. Another possibility is that bees become addicted to Linden nectar and die from starvation once it runs out."
February 3, 2024
When you look at a tree, you realize that this world is impermanent.
As the seasons have change, the landscape changes.
The trees are home to many different animals and plants. And when you enter the forest, you feel like you are in another dimension. The air is clear and you can tell that it is different from usual.
I remember taking a drive with my family to Nikko during the season of autumn leaves, and it was Incredibly beautiful.
When it gets dark at night, only the silhouette of the forest stands out in the darkness and I get a little scared when I go on a trip to a new place.
Hawaii is home to the famous Banyan Tree. The iconic Banyan Tree still stands at the entrance to the International Marketplace in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has become a symbol of Waikiki.
As the seasons have change, the landscape changes.
The trees are home to many different animals and plants. And when you enter the forest, you feel like you are in another dimension. The air is clear and you can tell that it is different from usual.
I remember taking a drive with my family to Nikko during the season of autumn leaves, and it was Incredibly beautiful.
When it gets dark at night, only the silhouette of the forest stands out in the darkness and I get a little scared when I go on a trip to a new place.
Hawaii is home to the famous Banyan Tree. The iconic Banyan Tree still stands at the entrance to the International Marketplace in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has become a symbol of Waikiki.
February 14, 2024
resource book
This is a great tree book - something for everyone. It has excellent illustrations and photographs, great terminology, well laid out and well written. It is easy to dip into and read a chapter here or there, or straight through over a few days. I will use it as a resource to look things up again. I appreciated the coherent writing on many landscape subjects including: Climate change, deforestation, diversity, and other important topics. I recognized a number of names of people in the field and know they are good sources.
This is a great tree book - something for everyone. It has excellent illustrations and photographs, great terminology, well laid out and well written. It is easy to dip into and read a chapter here or there, or straight through over a few days. I will use it as a resource to look things up again. I appreciated the coherent writing on many landscape subjects including: Climate change, deforestation, diversity, and other important topics. I recognized a number of names of people in the field and know they are good sources.
March 7, 2023
A book about trees, starting from the biology of trees, to the taxonomy of trees, to introducing common tree species under different families. As all the other DK books, this one is again full of beautiful photos and paintings, yet the content is also detailed, providing me with a great read. This a fantastic intro-level book for any beginner tree or plant lovers. Highly recommend.
September 15, 2023
I loved spending a few weeks with this beautifully illustrated book. It has the basics (about how trees and forests work), thorough descriptions of individual trees (the basics but also what is idiosyncratic and interesting about each one, such as its role in folklore or history), and a smattering of entries on notable trees, forests, or parks. Glorious.
January 27, 2025
I haven’t read this completely, only read excerpts hence I haven’t got a start or finish date contributing to my annual reading.
It is a fantastic reference book on trees. How they form, classification, live reproduction and many tree varieties throughout the world.
It was interesting looking at the devoted pages to a particular tree and learning about it.
It is a fantastic reference book on trees. How they form, classification, live reproduction and many tree varieties throughout the world.
It was interesting looking at the devoted pages to a particular tree and learning about it.
April 21, 2025
Lots of good information with quality pictures. It is pretty broad. Not for delving into a particular area you are wanting yo plant, more very broad and not so deep. Maybe I'll find a need to visit it again, but I doubt it.
November 15, 2022
Trees are amazing. I found interesting and informative. The photography is beautiful as well.
December 8, 2022
Going to buy this one. Beautifully put together and a real tree dictionary for the rest of us.
December 13, 2023
While I didn't really learn much that was new, this is simply a beautiful, beautiful book, done by the Smithsonian.
November 4, 2024
very beautiful! I love these DK books.
June 19, 2023
Gorgeous Photos of Trees
Amazing forest and woodland trees from all over the world-class real tour of wonder our plant life. I really enjoy the visual feast for the eyes recorded here.
Amazing forest and woodland trees from all over the world-class real tour of wonder our plant life. I really enjoy the visual feast for the eyes recorded here.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews