The Secret Life of Trees: How They Live and Why They Matter [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

 

 

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"I never met a Tudge I didn't like" is a fitting adage for this wide-ranging author. Having written an "unauthorised biography" of life, the impact of agriculture on human development and other works, Tudge has created a masterpiece of science writing. No longer can we claim that we can't "see the woods for the trees" since he has detailed the mechanics of both in exquisite detail. At) least so far as we know now. If nothing else is clear from this book, what we don't know about the mechanisms of trees far exceeds what we've learned. Trees, so ubiquitous in their presence and so meaningful in our lives, remain a great mystery to be solved. In three almost independent segments, he spells out what is known and what needs to be revealed.

He opens with one of the most understated definitions in science writing: "a tree is a big plant with a stick up the middle". From this simplistic opening, he then develops an image of how complex that "stick" and "plant" combination is in the final product. This complexity didn't appear from nowhere - the author explains how evolution built it from simple beginnings. Most readers will be familiar with the fact that 46 chromosome are needed to make a human. Trees, through various mechanisms, may develop hundreds of chromosomes depending on conditions. The structure of a single tree almost pales against the variety of trees growing around our planet. Tall trees, spreading ones, trees that we often call "shrubs" - which are merely superbly adapted to their local environment - all reflect the immense diversity trees have developed over the ages. Although generally divided into but two forms, conifers and "flowering" trees, they comprise thousands of species, many probably still unknown.

Tudge dedicates the second part of his book to descriptions of those variations. It is a catalogue of wonders as he depicts the oaks, beeches and other "common" types along with palms, celery pines and fruit trees. He begins with the ancient conifers, trees with a lineage stretching back nearly three hundred million years. That heritage shows in the varieties the conifers incorporate. From stately pines to humble ground-huggers, the conifers even include a parasitic member among their ranks. Angiosperms, the "flowering" trees, have surpassed the conifers in species number. The author lists each Order, with a list of the families and species. He explains why the numbers of species are in flux as new information about relationships comes to light. Tree habitats are also described with indications of where to find typical specimens.

In last third of the book: "How Trees Live", Tudge demonstrates why he's one of today's leading science writers. He has accumlated a vast repetoire of information, and presents it with almost passionate style. Seemingly static from our viewpoint, trees have much to do in the course of their lives. They must keep the sun in view, and many forests are competitive arenas to lift leaves into the light. There are seasons to keep track of, predators to discourage and to entice and employ helpers in the process of reproduction. Lacking brains, or other "intelligent" means, trees cannot manufacture devices for these needs. All must be accomplished with chemistry. Much of "the secret life of trees" is hidden here. With but five hormones and a handful of pigments to achieve their tasks, they have built up forms and methods to accomplish it all with an astounding degree of success.

Tudge's adulation of trees goes beyond being simply informative. In his conclusion, he both endorses our need to increase our knowledge of trees and warns of the effects of our failure to do so. We may view trees as aesthetically pleasing or as a source of lumber or paper. Either way, we must deal with them properly. Hewing down vast forests does far more than leave a barren landscape. Trees are the source of the oxygen we breathe. They take up the carbon dioxide our society produces in such imposing quantities. Their capacity for that role has likely been exceeded at this point. Trees matter, he argues, and we need to know why and how. This book is an excellent starting point to find the answers to that learning quest. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

I have said before that I am a fan of Colin Tudge's writing and my enthusiasm is increased by this lovely book.

It is always a pleasure to read a book by someone who loves what they are writing about, and Tudge's admiration for trees comes through so clearly in this work. He manages to cover pretty much everything, ranging effortlessly across the botany of trees, covering (surprisingly thorughly) all the major families, noting their particular features, the curious nature of some reproductive techniques (and some really are curious!) and touching on the economic and historical importance of some species.

Finally he looks at the ecological role of trees and how they fit into the jigsaw of life in a wider sense.

I cannot see how this book could be improved - the writing is fluid and entertaining and the science clearly explained. A wonderful gift to anyone interested in the natural world. Certainly I now look much more closely at the hedgerows and woods that I pass while walking the dog!

Highly recommended.

This is one of those amazing books that has so much depth and richness to it that it makes it impossible to praise it enough. The book is quirky, full of interesting insights and facts, it's a historical/scientific document that serves to open our eyes to the wonders of nature. It covers all you could wish to learn about the subject and cannot fail to impress the reader with it's inventiveness and sheer creativity on the subject.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Secret Revealed
The simple and unacademic look of the cover belies the fact that it is a book crammed full with everything you could wish to know about trees. Read more

Published 15 months ago by Geoffrey Curtis

4.0 out of 5 stars Trees are at the heart of things
This is a totally illuminating and fascinating book. It's not, however, a book that I sat down and read from the beginning to the end, it's just too dense and too specialised for... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Eileen Shaw

5.0 out of 5 stars Without them the world is finished
I've taken 18 months to read this. It's going to be like missing an old friend now I'm at the end. The author takes the reader on a tour around the world's trees - many of which... Read more

Published 19 months ago by Four Violets

5.0 out of 5 stars What of Trees..
Packed with interesting information and written with passion. This is not a book to read in a sitting but is one to leaf through and savor. Read more

Published 22 months ago by H.

3.0 out of 5 stars Admirable but hard going
The book is essentially split into three sections. The first provides a general discussion on the nature of trees - what they are and their place in nature. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Mr. S. A. Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars the secret life of trees
bought this book for my husband because it was recommended by a friend who had read it. Very successful gift. Read more

Published on 23 Jan 2010 by Mrs. I. Watson

1.0 out of 5 stars Hard going
I bought this book thinking I would enjoy it as I love nature, I love science for all it has given us and I love good science writing. Read more

Published on 11 Dec 2009 by Jeremy Ray

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, brilliant and entertaining
Colin Tudge brilliantly depicts tree's live as a joint of elements: air, water, earth and the sun's fire, aided by photosynthesis. Read more

Published on 16 Oct 2009 by M. M. Alvarez

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable resource for anyone interested in trees
This book is a treasure for anyone, lay person or professional, who loves trees or is merely fascinated with the amazing forms of life that trees are. Read more

Published on 3 Aug 2009 by Dennis Littrell

4.0 out of 5 stars The Secret Life of Trees
`The Secret Life of Trees' is a pretty comprehensive popular science book that explore the various aspects of tree life around the world. Read more

Published on 8 May 2009 by Spider Monkey

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