‘Tis the season for summer reading – enjoying page turning literature while swaying in your hammock in the shade of stately trees. Never mind those New York Times and New Yorker recommendations – we’ve curated a list especially for our tree-loving friends.
No time for leisurely reading? Check out audiobook options and recommended podcasts so you can listen while you work in your nursery or garden. Blog author Nancy Buley finds them to be very helpful for staying on task while pulling weeds!
First up is a hot-off-the-press book by New York Times best-selling author Amy Stewart. She’s written 14 books including The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Plants, Wicked Bugs, Flower Confidential and other great reads. We’re fortunate that she makes her home in Portland and is inspired by trees!
Tales of Arboreal Obsession
Written and illustrated by Amy Stewart
Fifty vignettes about people and the trees they tend. My favorite is the profile of Janusz Radecki, horticultural therapist and tree collector in Poland. When Amy contacted me in search of tree collectors, I told her the story of Janusz’ quest to obtain and plant the first Redpointe® Maple in Poland. They connected, and she shared his story!
The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart
A classic – published in 2013. It even has its own website that includes some of Amy’s favorite herbal cocktails. Mine is shelved with my favorite cookbooks. Whether you’re into imbibing or not, it’s an informative and fun read.
I admit to being a bit of an Amy Stewart fangirl after having met her decades ago at a gathering of Portland plant geeks. I highly recommend that you subscribe to Amy’s free Substack newsletter:
It’s Good to Be Here It’s a great read, and for a few bucks more per month, Amy offers online writing and painting lessons, and cheerfully carries subscribers along on her endless adventures and musings. She’s currently off on a three-week, 20-bookstores book tour, perhaps stopping at an independent bookstore near you.
The Nature of Our Cities – Nadina Galle
Harnessing the Power of our Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet
Described as a “groundbreaking exploration of how technology is aiding nature in these critical times,” Nadina weaves a very readable story of “symbiosis between technology and nature, fostering resilience and sustainability.”
Several of her featured “tree heroes” call Oregon home – Professor Vivek Shandas of Portland State University, Dr. Geoffrey Donovan, USDA Research Forester, Jared Hanley of NatureQuant and Scott Altenhoff, Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager.
A natural history of trees and people in the American cityscape
by Jill Jonnes
Author of Eiffel’s Tower and Conquering Gotham, historian Jill Jonnes weaves an intriguing history of trees and people in American cities over the course of the past two centuries.
by Matt Ritter
A dark and suspenseful tale about a future in which humans have upended the climate and destroyed the environment, set in the once-fertile Salinas Valley of California. (Also available as an audiobook read by the author, a Professor of Biology at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo.)
by Matt Ritter
A children’s book for kids of all ages – a delightful tale of the life cycle of a tropical fig tree and the rainforest creatures that depend on it. Beautifully illustrated by Nayl Gonzales.
By Michaela Goode
A beautifully written and illustrated celebration of the bountiful ancestral lands of the Tlingit people of southeast Alaska, told from the perspective of a child who learns the ways of her people from her grandmother.
Podcasts
The Plant a Trillion Trees Podcast
175 episodes presented by Arborists and Educators Eva Monheim and Hal Rosner.
Episode 172 features Eva’s interview of best-selling author Amy Stewart.
Per Eva: “The purpose of our podcast is to encourage tree planting and proper tree care for our urban forest which includes neighborhoods, parks, and other open spaces. We will also cover a myriad of tree topics including the important role trees play in relationship to the climate crisis.”
This excellent, informative, wide-ranging podcast features an amazing lineup of guests hailing from nurseries, public gardens, universities, arboricultural companies, tech companies and tree planting organizations. A sampler of guests includes Daniel Hinkley, author, plant explorer, and nurseryman; Andrew Bunting, VP of Horticulture, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; Dr. Dan Herms, Research Scientist for Davey Tree Co.; John Grimshaw of The Yorkshire Arboretum, Alan Jones, President of Manor View Nurseries, Maryland; and Nancy Buley of J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
This Old Tree – hosted and produced by Doug Still, consulting arborist and amateur historian. A radio show and podcast about heritage trees and the human stories behind them. Having worked with Doug in his role as city forester of Providence, Rhode Island, the JFS team knows him as a true friend of trees.
Completely Arbortrary – hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson
This podcast about trees and other related topics is a favorite of JFS Inside Sales Representative Jessica Hutchings. Give it a listen and be sure to check out their Book Shop on Amazon, a well-curated collection of 54 tree-related books that’s sure to satisfy your summer reading appetite!
