Twelve Trees

A compelling global exploration of nature and survival as seen via a dozen species of trees, offering "extensive insight into the ways in which humans and trees are interconnected" ( BookPage ), revealing the challenges facing our planet and how scientists are working urgently to save our forests and our future. The world today is undergoing the most rapid environmental transformation in human history--from climate change to deforestation. Scientists, ethnobotanists, indigenous peoples, and collectives of all kinds are closely studying trees and their biology to understand how and why trees function individually and collectively in the ways they do. In Twelve Trees , Daniel Lewis, curator and historian at one of the world's most renowned research libraries, travels the world to learn about these trees in their habitats. Lewis takes us on a sweeping journey to plant breeding labs, botanical gardens, research facilities, deep inside museum collections, to the tops of tall trees, underwater, and around the Earth, journeying into the deserts of the American west and the deep jungles of Peru, to offer a globe-spanning perspective on the crucial impact trees have on our entire planet. When a once-common tree goes extinct in the wild but survives in a botanical garden, what happens next? How can scientists reconstruct lost genomes and habitats? How does a tree store thousands of gallons of water, or offer up perfectly preserved insects from millions of years ago, or root itself in muddy swamps and remain standing? How does a 5,000-year-old tree manage to live, and what can we learn from it? And how can science account for the survival of one species at the expense of others? Twelve Trees "brims with wonder, appreciation, and even some small hope" ( Booklist ) and is an awe-inspiring story of our world, its past, and its future. Note--species include: * The Lost Tree of Easter Island (Sophora toromiro) * The coast redwood ( Sequoia sempervirens ) * Hymenaea protera [a fossil tree] * The Longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) * East Indian sandalwood ( Santanum album ) * The Bristlecone pine ( Pinus longaeva ) * West African ebony ( Diospyros crassiflora ) * The Tasmanian blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ) * Olive tree ( Olea europaea ) * Baobab ( Adansonia digitata ) * the kapok tree ( Ceiba pentandra ) * The bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum )

A compelling global exploration of nature and survival as seen via a dozen species of trees, offering "extensive insight into the ways in which humans and trees are interconnected" ( BookPage ), revealing the challenges facing our planet and how scientists are working urgently to save our forests and our future. The world today is undergoing the most rapid environmental transformation in human history--from climate change to deforestation. Scientists, ethnobotanists, indigenous peoples, and collectives of all kinds are closely studying trees and their biology to understand how and why trees function individually and collectively in the ways they do. In Twelve Trees , Daniel Lewis, curator and historian at one of the world's most renowned research libraries, travels the world to learn about these trees in their habitats. Lewis takes us on a sweeping journey to plant breeding labs, botanical gardens, research facilities, deep inside museum collections, to the tops of tall trees, underwater, and around the Earth, journeying into the deserts of the American west and the deep jungles of Peru, to offer a globe-spanning perspective on the crucial impact trees have on our entire planet. When a once-common tree goes extinct in the wild but survives in a botanical garden, what happens next? How can scientists reconstruct lost genomes and habitats? How does a tree store thousands of gallons of water, or offer up perfectly preserved insects from millions of years ago, or root itself in muddy swamps and remain standing? How does a 5,000-year-old tree manage to live, and what can we learn from it? And how can science account for the survival of one species at the expense of others? Twelve Trees "brims with wonder, appreciation, and even some small hope" ( Booklist ) and is an awe-inspiring story of our world, its past, and its future. Note--species include: * The Lost Tree of Easter Island (Sophora toromiro) * The coast redwood ( Sequoia sempervirens ) * Hymenaea protera [a fossil tree] * The Longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) * East Indian sandalwood ( Santanum album ) * The Bristlecone pine ( Pinus longaeva ) * West African ebony ( Diospyros crassiflora ) * The Tasmanian blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ) * Olive tree ( Olea europaea ) * Baobab ( Adansonia digitata ) * the kapok tree ( Ceiba pentandra ) * The bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum )

*Chosen by Waterstones as one of their best Nature Writing Books of 2024, and by The Economist as one of their best books of 2024* 'A heartwarming guide to these fascinating giants of nature . . . A book that is full of surprises . . . Highly empathetic and informative' Independent 'A global arboreal odyssey' Guardian ‘Marvellous' The Economist 'Enlightening, it offers hope for the future' Sunday Post Twelve amazing species of trees that can teach us about our past, present and future. In Twelve Trees , professor Daniel Lewis takes us around the world – from Australia to the United States, from Easter Island and Mexico to Cameroon – and introduces us to twelve tree species that epitomise the many threats faced by our planet, from climate change, poachers and parasites, to fungi and even elephants. He celebrates their many strengths in the face of adversity, and their enduring abilities to survive – and even thrive – in an increasingly dangerous planet. Trees are essential to all of our lives – and they need our help. In this incredible tribute to the noble tree, Lewis dives deep into the cutting-edge science and inspiring community efforts helping to keep them alive. Saving the tree, as he argues, means the saving of humanity. Beautifully written and informative, Twelve Trees is a heartwarming and enlightening guide to some of our most fascinating trees – and why we should be working harder to protect them. ONE OF THE GUARDIAN 'S BOOKS TO WATCH IN 2024

*Chosen by Waterstones as one of their best Nature Writing Books of 2024, and by The Economist as one of their best books of 2024* 'A heartwarming guide to these fascinating giants of nature . . . A book that is full of surprises . . . Highly empathetic and informative' Independent 'A global arboreal odyssey' Guardian ‘Marvellous' The Economist 'Enlightening, it offers hope for the future' Sunday Post Twelve amazing species of trees that can teach us about our past, present and future. In Twelve Trees , professor Daniel Lewis takes us around the world – from Australia to the United States, from Easter Island and Mexico to Cameroon – and introduces us to twelve tree species that epitomise the many threats faced by our planet, from climate change, poachers and parasites, to fungi and even elephants. He celebrates their many strengths in the face of adversity, and their enduring abilities to survive – and even thrive – in an increasingly dangerous planet. Trees are essential to all of our lives – and they need our help. In this incredible tribute to the noble tree, Lewis dives deep into the cutting-edge science and inspiring community efforts helping to keep them alive. Saving the tree, as he argues, means the saving of humanity. Beautifully written and informative, Twelve Trees is a heartwarming and enlightening guide to some of our most fascinating trees – and why we should be working harder to protect them. ONE OF THE GUARDIAN 'S BOOKS TO WATCH IN 2024