Throughout our history trees have been central to our existence. They
provide us with vital ingredients for life--food, medicine, materials,
even the oxygen we breathe. Ecologically, they are crucial in
controlling pollution and moderating the climate, and culturally they
are important to our religions, folklore and art. It has also been shown
that as well as greening our lives they can improve our health and
mental well-being.
Remarkable Trees tells the unique story of more than sixty species,
each selected for its resonance and connection with people. In portraits
that combine vivid cultural and historical narrative with a firm
scientific grounding, Christina Harrison and Tony Kirkham reveal
fascinating details of trees from the world's major environmental zones
and habitats. Some are obvious superstars such as oaks, redwoods and
coconut, while others are more surprising: we learn of the monkey
puzzle, a tree native to Chile that "can grow for 1,000 years," and of
the manchineel, a tree that contains sap so toxic to human skin that
it's a risk to stand beneath it on a rainy day. In these pages are trees
that are healers and killers, trees that serve as foundations of great
buildings and grand feasts, and trees that leave us with a sense of
wonder and of worry for their survival.
In a tribute to the artists and botanists who have been inspired by
trees for centuries, this book is filled with 240 delightful
illustrations. The varied and beautiful images come from the unrivalled
archive at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and they bring this
enlightening and enchanting volume to life.
While trees have supported us for millennia, we have recently lost that
direct, deep connection with them. Harrison and Kirkham remind us that
we do not have to look far to reestablish that relationship and that we
can still cherish the splendor and significance of these quiet giants.
