From the sugar maple to the coast redwood, uncover the hidden workings of twenty different trees, each beautifully revealed with innovative translucent overlays.

Essential to life on Earth—not only environmentally, but also culturally and spiritually—trees are the silent guardians of our planet. Lavishly illustrated throughout—and interlaced with transparent overlays that lift to reveal the secret workings of the ecosystems beneath—this beautiful book is a tribute to the living, breathing giants that sustain life on Earth.  

In twenty fascinating and often surprising essays, readers can unpack the secret life of trees, exploring everything from root networks and leaf structures to the latest discoveries in “tree communication.” Beneath the canopy of the dragon blood tree lies a unique microclimate, the Great Basin bristlecone pine reveals the science of dendrology and the methods used to determine a tree’s age, while the sophisticated water systems of the redwoods help explain how these giants rise to extraordinary heights. From mangroves and the English oak to the ancient ginkgo, the distinctive bulging trunk of the baobab, and the familiar garden apple tree, each story uncovers the hidden life within. For all nature and tree lovers who want to know more about nature’s majestic cathedrals, this engaging and accessible approach offers an insight into the marvelous and miraculous ecosystems of trees.

About The Author

Herman H. (“Hank”) Shugart, Jr. is a systems ecologist renowned for his work in simulation modeling of forest ecosystems. He holds the position of W.W. Corcoran Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia and has served as a Visiting Fellow at institutions including the Australian National University, the University of Stockholm, and the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis in Austria. A prolific scholar, Shugart has contributed to the editorial boards of several leading scientific journals and is the author of over 400 publications, including journal articles and thirteen books. Peter White is a plant ecologist and conservation biologist whose work explores the dynamics, diversity, and conservation of plant communities. From 1986 to 2014, he directed the University of North Carolina’s North Carolina Botanical Garden, helping transform it into a leader in conservation, sustainability, and environmental education. Under his leadership, the Garden received national recognition for its innovative programs and environmental stewardship. Salma Price-Nell is known for her passion for trees and natural forms in her illustration, her amazing detail, and her great social media following (including 268K+ on Insta). She harnesses the aesthetic and metaphorical properties of trees through her ink drawings. Currently based in the UK, the Cape Malay illustrator renders, in beautiful detail, wispy willow tendrils, gnarled trunks, and wide, sloping canopies with delicate crosshatching and linework. Salma’s work has been collected worldwide, with pieces held in private collections across the UK, the United States, Europe, and Asia.