This book represents the author’s process of discovery about the many ways people relate to trees. The results are much more varied than Stewart guessed when she began. Some were expected, such as an individual with sufficient land planting all the species in a genus, or all the trees associated together for some other reason.
Others document all the trees of a place. Some plantings are memorials; others are to promote sustainable forestry. Using trees for bonsai or topiary describes the passion of two collectors, while another has amassed no live trees but nearly 7,000 wood samples.
I found the work of Kenneth Høech of Narsarsuaq, in southern Greenland, especially fascinating. He has researched trees that survive near the Arctic tree line and has begun an arboretum to give this otherwise treeless island arboreal plant life.
Sam Van Aken of Syracuse, New York, engaged in a project called
Tree of 40 Fruit. He grafted stone fruits, including plums, cherries, apricots, almonds, and peaches, onto a single tree, and planted these at suitable locations throughout the country. Each of the typically historical varieties is documented in his archive of botanical illustrations and herbarium specimens of the leaves and flowers.
I recommend this book for its many fascinating stories. As Amy Stewart concludes in her introduction, “If this book accomplishes anything, I hope it inspires you to plant a tree. Or two. Or maybe a dozen. Watch out, though — trees can be addictive.”
