Seeing Trees

October 15, 2011

Most of us note the leafing out of trees in the spring and their often spectacular fall color, but Hugo and Llewellyn, veterans of garden writing and tree and landscape photography, respectively, go much deeper to share the details of the complex lives of trees gleaned from years of personal observation. They have created an informative, beautifully illustrated book that delves into tree growth and reproduction. Hugo begins by introducing the reader to various tree parts: leaves, flowers, cones, fruit, buds, leaf scars, bark, and twigs. Next, she profiles ten well-known trees including the red maple, white oak, and white pine. Whether she is describing the unfurling of a leaf or the development of an acorn, her prose draws the reader into her world. Stunning close-up and magnified shots of trees and tree parts illuminate the text. VERDICT This fascinating celebration of trees will delight gardeners, botanists, students of natural history, and nature photographers.--Sue O'Brien, Downers Grove P.L., IL

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