What an absolutely lovely comforting read! It was full of fun facts and gorgeous artwork (seriously, I want some of these pieces on my walls). I highly recommend if you want to dip in and out of this book - it's worth your time, in my opinion and very accessible. Nordic spruce grows so slowly its rings are tiny, giving the wood great strength while remaining light. That is why they are used in violins, cellos and basses (notably Stradivarius). Their solidity produces the best vibrations, aka sound. The wood is so dense it takes 10-50 years for the wood to dry. The longer you can wait, the better the sound will be. I have loved trees all my life. It’s fascinating to understand the role they play, not just in our lives, but life as a whole” – Dame Judi Dench If you love the physical tactile experience of reading, you'll also understand what I mean when I say, it just isn't the same.

There are many trees I have loved reading about in this book – some were completely new to me, but many with a special place in my heart: the sacred banyans and peepuls of India, rubber from passing so many rubber plantations in my childhood as we drove to visit my grandmother in Malaysia, breadfruit from seeing it everywhere in Samoa, the Wollemi pine from a documentary I watched a few years ago, durian which I grew up eating, paper mulberry from having seen the making of beautiful tapa and tapa products in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The coco-de-mer with its 65-pound seeds that germinate and grow sideways to get away from the parent tree. Each of these strange and true tales – populated by self-mummifying monks, tree-climbing goats and ever-so-slightly radioactive nuts – is illustrated by Lucille Clerc, taking the reader on a journey that is as informative as it is beautiful. Nimble goats have learned to avoid the thorns and leathery leaves of the argan to gorge on its sweet-smelling fruit. The oil-rich seeds are the mainstay of the local economy. The oil is used locally to treat skin diseases and heart ailments, and is fashionable in wealthy nations as a salad oil and in hair products and anti-wrinkle creams. Wát zijn de bomen op onze aardbol geweldig! Sommige bevatten complete ecosystemen of maken onderdeel uit van de cultuur op de plek waar ze groeien. Drori neemt je mee de wereld rond via 80 bomen, 80 bijzondere verhalen over hoe ze groeien, bloeien, vrucht dragen, maar ook hun rol in hun omgeving voor zowel mens als dier. En dan die meer dan prachtige illustraties bij elke boom door Licille Clerc 🌳Banyan trees with the largest crown which enables the tree - through the planting of aerial roots - to expand outwards. A single tree that could actually cover acres beneath it's branches. I wanted to inspire readers with a love for trees but also a wish to protect them and their habitats, alongside an appreciation of the crazy things they get up to. I’ve tried to show how aspects of plant science have affected the relationships between different tree species and people, animals and other plants, and to uncover and tell the curious and sometimes downright bizarre stories about them. This is the perfect tree book, with beautiful illustrations. A must for any tree lover, professional or amateur, who wants to learn more about 80 inspirational trees from around the world." I have loved trees all my life. It's fascinating to learn how, across the world, they have inspired people in much the same way, and to understand the key role they play, not just in our lives, but life as a whole." The author gives us detailed information about trees from various parts of the world. As a layperson with only the power to gawk at said trees and marvel at their beauty, I cannot even tell most of them apart. This collection, therefore, had a lot of tidbits that I can use to entertain audiences if they are so inclined. I might forget most of it with passing time but the joy of reading about them for the first time will linger. I really liked the illustration but thought that actual pictures might have helped me understand and retain more information (again, the illustrations are pretty) for the future.

Trees are one of humanity's most constant and most varied companions. From India's sacred banyan tree to the fragrant cedar of Lebanon, they offer us sanctuary and inspiration—not to mention the raw materials for everything from aspirin to maple syrup. But then I started reading, and the stories of these trees are just as compelling if not more so. Narrative and informational, whimsy yet grounded, it weaves together the tale of trees and their contribution to human progress with the genius of nature and evolution. This book is unlike anything I’d read in a long, long time. Once upon a time, we sat and hid in trees. Later, we used their branches to carry, light and let burn fires. Then, we built our houses from their wood. To this day, we use them for shade as much as for a place to play in, we eat their fruit/seeds, decorate our living spaces with their branches, and even use them as a source for medicine and other materials vital to our way of life. Around the World in 80 Trees is available worldwide in many languages and has been widely reviewed. Each of these strange and true tales – populated by self-mummifying monks, tree-climbing goats and ever-so-slightly radioactive nuts – is illustrated by Lucille Clerc, taking the reader on a journey that is as informative as it is beautiful. The book combines history, science and a wealth of quirky detail – there should be surprises for everyone.

Advance Praise

Drori is a very good educator. In a simple book he gives excellent short descriptions on some complicated science and is not boring to someone who has read more than a few tree books. Environmental connectivity, the importance of diversity, and human connection to trees are some of his primary topics. There are many interesting facts to be learned here. For instance, the world’s tallest living tree is a redwood in California called Hyperion, standing at 389 feet tall (115 meters). It is about at its limit no matter how much longer it lives. Drori explains how water is drawn up the tree using energy of the sun, relying on connected water molecules to draw and push water from bottom to top. Because of physics and gravity there is a theoretical limit to how high water and nutrients can be lifted. If any tree pushes higher than 120 meters gravity will overcome its ability to get nourishment to the tree top. Hyperion is almost at its limit. I love this stuff. The argan of the Mediterranean has a fruit so tempting to goats that they climb up the trees and out onto the branches to get at it. The oil from it is used in creams, cosmetics and cooking, giving employment to about three million – people. The success of 80 Trees has been the most wonderful surprise. Now available in many languages, the book contains 80 biographies of extraordinary tree species, illustrated by the fabulous Lucille Clerc.

I often sat in a sofa in a corner, looking out of the window, hot chocolate, tea or coffee next to me as I read this book when at home. I can't think of a better way to spend a cold winter's morning. So, for anyone who isn't constrained on space (and doesn't hate the idea of having physical books) I'd say go with the physical book. Who would this be great for? Interestingly, every plant has its own character: some like to cooperate with animals or other plants to benefit (birds spreading seeds, for example), while others lie and cheat. There are trees so dense they sink rather than float, trees that only grow in saltwater-soaking sands, and trees that hold their seeds tightly sealed in wax until there is a forest fire below them. One tree holds its seeds in pods that explode with such violence the seeds fly off at 150 mph (the sandbox, Costa Rica). Botanical science, culture and the history of exploration all come together in this journey around the world through many of the most important trees that influence the customs and economy of each country. I would have found it hard to make a better selection of trees that are influential and important to the culture of the many countries [in this] most engaging trip around the world." Each of these strange and true tales - populated by self-mummifying monks, tree-climbing goats and ever-so-slightly radioactive nuts - is illustrated by Lucille Clerc, taking the reader on a journey that is as informative as it is beautiful. The book combines history, science and a wealth of quirky detail - there should be surprises for everyone.In Around the World in 80 Trees, Jonathan Drori uses plant science to illuminate how trees play a role in every part of human life, from the romantic to the regrettable. From the trees of Britain to India's sacred banyan tree, they offer us sanctuary and inspiration – not to mention the raw materials for everything from aspirin to maple syrup. And that's only 6. There are avocados and cashews, elms, and oaks and monkey puzzle trees. Breadfruit and kauri. The traveller's tree with its spreading fan-like crown. Areca palm and baobab and brazil nut and brazilwood (not the same) and dragon blood with its brilliant red sap. Frankincense resin and wild apples. And even more. I love this book of a jaunt around the world, looking at trees on the way. The author, who grew up wandering Kew Gardens, looks at British Isles trees first, with the rowan for Scotland and Arbutus for Ireland. Off to Finland to meet the birch, wandering through cork oak forests and larches across the continent, before encountering the exotic and valuable timbers, spices, barks and resins of the fabled Orient, bloated looking baobabs of Africa, toxic trees of nutrient-poor countries, lightweight timber, timber too heavy to float, trees with knees, trees with giant seeds, trees with animals spreading their seeds, trees that stop disastrous illness, trees used for main masts. And at the end you will still be saying, "But what about...." because only 80 trees are included. I am a fan of author Jonathon Drori's "Ted Talks" on nature so I had to read his book. The author grew up near the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew learned to appreciate botany from his father who insisted on weekly excursions to the garden. This is a man who appreciates both the science and beauty of nature and it is reflected in his beautiful book. The edible date originated somewhere between northeast Africa and Mesopotamia and may have been cultivated in the Middle East for six millennia. An iconic fruit in all the cultures of the region and a staple food containing up to two-thirds sugar, the date has altered the course of history by enabling large numbers of people to live in deserts.