A light approach to introducing trees can be found in “Knowing the Trees” by Ken Keffer. This book is a delightful collection of short anecdotes and observations about North American trees.
These range from how the trees function, to how humans and other creatures interact with them. A few individual species are highlighted, such as the threats to the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) or the near elimination of the American chestnut (Castanea dentata), but overall this is a celebration of forests as a whole biome.
Many of the stories are about animals. A section titled “Litter Critters” highlights the ovenbird, a type of warbler that builds complex nests in the forest duff, or the wood frogs that that survive in leaf litter over winter. “Evolutionary Anachronism” suggests that the Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) was likely spread historically by long extinct mastodons. While that role has been somewhat replaced by horses, the distribution of the tree is now much more restricted.
The illustrations, by Emily Walker, a Seattle native now living in California, are well-suited for the general tenor of the book, providing interpretation for the text. I think this book’s biggest appeal will be to those that are not especially familiar with trees. It would make a great holiday gift to that family member you want to get interested in the Arboretum! Keffer is talented at invoking a scene:
“Jumping in a pile of leaves is a time-honored tradition. As leaves pile up like confetti on the ground, though, don’t feel pressured to rake them all up.” The author goes on to explain the advantage of leaving at least some leaves, concluding, “after you enjoy nature’s fall fireworks display, save your back and your backyard by leaving the leaves.”
Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on August 19, 2024
Excerpted from the Fall 2024 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin