Overview

Winner of the 2022 Marsh Book of the Year Award A long-awaited volume in the New Naturalist series examining the trees of Britain. Trees are immensely valuable. They give shape to our lives with wood, the material that makes our homes, our books, our belongings; they nourish us with the air we breathe and the fruits we eat; and they sustain us, with their shade and the comfort of their presence. They are also fascinating – they are the biggest and oldest living organisms on the planet and are essential components of many of the landscapes of Britain. Trees have been vital in determining the ecology of our planet as well as the development of human cultures and communities, yet how much do we really understand about them? How do trees live? How do they fit into their environments? Why are they so important to ecosystems on earth, and to us? And what does the future hold for trees? Can they solve the problems of climate change by absorbing enough carbon dioxide, and would we run out of oxygen if all the world’s trees disappeared? Do trees really talk to each other? There is much to learn about these silent giants. Ecologist Peter Thomas explores all these questions and many more, delving into the often hidden life of trees, using examples from around the world, from common trees to the unusual and bizarre. This comprehensive introduction to all aspects of tree biology and ecology presents the latest scientific and botanical discoveries and explores the wonders and mysteries of trees.

Full Product Details

9780008304515

Table of Contents

Reviews

Praise for Peter Thomas 'Thoughtful and informative ... useful and interesting' Keith Sacre, Barcham Trees 'Peter Thomas has a rare ability to communicate complex biological processes in an accessible way while offering the understanding of a real expert. The first edition succeeded in the author's aim of bringing together a dispersed literature on the natural history of trees ... I consider it to be essential reading for all those with a personal or professional interest in trees and am convinced every reader will gain a deeper understanding of trees from the rich content of this book. Even if you are only casually interested in trees, buy it, read it and be inspired by their fascinating life!' Andrew Hirons, Myerscough College 'This volume lives up to the highest of expectations ... This contribution speaks to a wide readership of gardeners, students, and naturalists. Dr Thomas is a master communicator in melding the topic of trees into the everyday experiences of the reader. He personalizes science ... This book is like visiting a botanical garden with a guide who has travelled the world; and Dr Thomas has travelled the world to find these gems of information. After reading this book the reader will no longer look at a tree with indifference' Ross W. Wein, Professor Emeritus, University of Alberta The best general work on trees to come out in 2014 ... this book offers fascinating insights and can be usefully read by anyone, student, amateur or professional, and should be on any reading list' Pro Arb Magazine 'The much-abused term well-written sits very comfortably here; you could buy this book for an aspiring young biologist, a relative with an interest in trees, your local landscape architect or planner ... If you bought the first edition, this one is newer and better. If you didn't buy it last time, think again' Alan Crowden, Bulletin, British Ecological Society

‘Wow, what a book. Perfect or almost perfect.’ Mark Cocker ‘It was a pleasure to look through the pages and find a wide range of informative and legible photographs, diagrams and graphs, all of which scored highly in terms of conveying information and looking attractive … I recommend this book as a good read and a valuable addition to your bookshelves. It does just what New Naturalists should do and it is very clearly written.’ Mark Avery ‘It is so full of pertinent and useful information that it has taken days to get through its comprehensive, well-written and informative text. With so much emphasis now given to woods, forests and forestry, it is astonishing how little most ecologists and foresters actually know about trees as individuals – we are nearly all, I suspect, cheerfully ignorant of the biology of trees! With the publication of Peter Thomas’s excellent New Naturalist edition, however, there is no longer any excuse to remain unaware of these organisms and their complex life histories … Trees is very well illustrated, with both diagrams and photographs presented in an engaging and useful fashion … An excellent and comprehensive book, and highly recommended for all those professionally involved in trees, concerned about trees, or wishing simply to understand more about trees.’ Jonathan Spencer, British Wildlife magazine ‘Anyone with the slightest interest in trees should buy and read this book. But be warned; you will find it impossible to put down. In fact even if you think you have no interest in trees, read it anyway, and you may discover that you do.’ Ken Thompson, The Niche magazine ‘The New Naturalist Series has the stated aim “to interest the general reader in the wildlife of Britain by recapturing the inquiring spirit of the old naturalists”, and here they have produced a book of great beauty and tangible quality.’ The Linnean

'It was a pleasure to look through the pages and find a wide range of informative and legible photographs, diagrams and graphs, all of which scored highly in terms of conveying information and looking attractive ... I recommend this book as a good read and a valuable addition to your bookshelves. It does just what New Naturalists should do and it is very clearly written.' Mark Avery 'It is so full of pertinent and useful information that it has taken days to get through its comprehensive, well-written and informative text. With so much emphasis now given to woods, forests and forestry, it is astonishing how little most ecologists and foresters actually know about trees as individuals - we are nearly all, I suspect, cheerfully ignorant of the biology of trees! With the publication of Peter Thomas's excellent New Naturalist edition, however, there is no longer any excuse to remain unaware of these organisms and their complex life histories ... Trees is very well illustrated, with both diagrams and photographs presented in an engaging and useful fashion ... An excellent and comprehensive book, and highly recommended for all those professionally involved in trees, concerned about trees, or wishing simply to understand more about trees.' Jonathan Spencer, British Wildlife magazine 'Anyone with the slightest interest in trees should buy and read this book. But be warned; you will find it impossible to put down. In fact even if you think you have no interest in trees, read it anyway, and you may discover that you do.' Ken Thompson, The Niche magazine

'It was a pleasure to look through the pages and find a wide range of informative and legible photographs, diagrams and graphs, all of which scored highly in terms of conveying information and looking attractive ... I recommend this book as a good read and a valuable addition to your bookshelves. It does just what New Naturalists should do and it is very clearly written.' Mark Avery 'It is so full of pertinent and useful information that it has taken days to get through its comprehensive, well-written and informative text. With so much emphasis now given to woods, forests and forestry, it is astonishing how little most ecologists and foresters actually know about trees as individuals - we are nearly all, I suspect, cheerfully ignorant of the biology of trees! With the publication of Peter Thomas's excellent New Naturalist edition, however, there is no longer any excuse to remain unaware of these organisms and their complex life histories ... Trees is very well illustrated, with both diagrams and photographs presented in an engaging and useful fashion ... An excellent and comprehensive book, and highly recommended for all those professionally involved in trees, concerned about trees, or wishing simply to understand more about trees.' Jonathan Spencer, British Wildlife magazine 'Anyone with the slightest interest in trees should buy and read this book. But be warned; you will find it impossible to put down. In fact even if you think you have no interest in trees, read it anyway, and you may discover that you do.' Ken Thompson, The Niche magazine 'The New Naturalist Series has the stated aim to interest the general reader in the wildlife of Britain by recapturing the inquiring spirit of the old naturalists , and here they have produced a book of great beauty and tangible quality.' The Linnean

Author Information

Peter Thomas is an Emeritus Reader at Keele University and an Associate of Harvard Forest at Harvard University, USA. He is also the curator of the National Collection of ornamental cherries at Keele. His research and teaching are centred around anything to do with trees and this has taken him to all continents where trees grow, and has covered numerous topics from where in the ground water is absorbed by roots to seed production, to understanding tree longevity. His long suffering family, and now grandchildren, are well used to holidays and long detours to see particular trees. Peter is also the author of many scientific papers, monographs and books on trees, woodland ecology and forest fires.

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