It is very early in the year to be picking my favourite book, but The Hidden Company That Trees Keep will be a very strong contender.
In a word, it is superb. James Nardi has done a magnificent job. The subtitle, Life from Treetops to Root Tips says it all!
The book is essentially divided into three sections - Leafscape, dealing with the foliage, Barkscape, concerned with the trunk, and Rootscape, covering activity beneath the soil.
Nardi states, "Saving trees and planting trees invests in the integrity and beauty of the Earth." If only that viewpoint were universally cherished, how much better off we would be.
Living trees are both home and larder to numerous organisms - birds, mammals, insects, to say nothing of fungal relationships; dead trees no less. Every part of every tree, living or dead, is vital to the integrity of ecosystems and supports life in more ways than one can imagine. Insects may be beneficial to the health of the tree, or have negative impacts, and some insects are preyed on by other insects. Both insects and fungi aid in the process of decomposition when the trunk falls to the forest floor, returning vital nutrients to the soil.
What is quite wonderful about this book is Nardi's exquisite coverage of the entire range of organisms that inhabit the tree and the function performed by that specific group of arthropods, for example. Here is a sample of how a typical section begins:
"WALKING STICKS, ORDER: PHASMIDA OR PHASMATODEA (phasma = phantom) (3,000 species; 32 species NA; 15 - 300 mm (fig. 86)"
The text then goes on to describe the very specific habitat of walking sticks, the section of the tree that provides food, their role as predator or prey, strategies for survival and their relationship to other organisms hosted by the tree.
The black-and-white illustrations in the book are as good as I have ever seen. They add so much to the book, it is hard to overstate their contribution.
In addition to illustrating the text the aesthetic appeal evokes deep satisfaction. They are fabulous!
It always seems to me that every keen naturalist should be almost as fascinated by etymology as by the organisms themselves, and it is both pleasing and stimulating to understand the origins of scientific names. Nardi gives the derivatives in every single case, without exception, and I find this sublimely rewarding. Please indulge me while I cite just one example: PLANTHOPPER PARASITE MOTHS; FAMILY EPIPYROPIDAE (epi = over; pyr = fire; ops = face). Knowledge is everything.
From Wood Thrushes to bark lice, from beetles to gall flies, from wasps to bees to arachnids and katydids, the entire relationship with the tree is explained, including the ways in which different species compete or cooperate.
An entire chapter, called Observing First Hand provides tips on how you may capture different insects for study and highlights the benefits from doing so. I can vouch for this mode of study, based on firsthand experience; the rewards are great and the wonders of nature are revealed as never before.
An extensive bibliography is provided enabling one to undertake further study. I have already earmarked a couple of titles. No doubt you will too!
The Hidden Company That Trees Keep: Life from Treetops to Root Tips
James B. Nardi
Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN: 9780691237978
320 pages - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.75 x 21.25 cm)
3 colour and 357 black-and-white illustrations
Publication Date: 07 February, 2023
...nature is so interdependent!
ReplyDeleteThe three chapters are beautiful as an idea.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very interesting book, David. I think I would have liked the book very much if it was in Norwegian. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
That's probably not going to happen, Marit!
DeleteNo, I guess it never will.
DeleteSounds like a excellent read. Thanks for the good review, David.
ReplyDeleteI love to spend time beneath a venerable tree and just become aware of how much life exists in and around it - birds, insects, other plants. Trees truly are living homes :)
ReplyDeleteYour review is tempting me to buy this one, David. I hope it is not too slanted towards that side of the pond - for example, I came up with a start when you mentioned 'walking sticks' and I guess that these are what we refer to as 'stick insects'. That one was easily worked out, but I wonder if there are more unfathomable references?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - have a good one - - - Richard
Thanks for the hint 'stick insects' - now I understand that part., too! :-)
DeleteThe principles enunciated are universal, Richard, but the organisms covered are North American.
ReplyDeleteLooks like to be a very interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThere is surprising detail that can be discovered without the "distraction" that colours sometimes bring to an illustration. Indeed, life seen and unseen is interdependent and our forests do provide homes aplenty through the lushness of trees.
ReplyDeleteHidden Company looks as if it might be a good follow-up to my current read, The Hidden LIFE of trees! I have learned so much from this one.
ReplyDeleteThey seem like a couple of books made for each other. Please also try "Finding the Mother Tree" by Suzanne Simard - a fabulous book.
DeleteDear David, It is wonderful to feel your enthusiasm - it is very clear how much you enjoyed reading this - and also looking at the illustrations. The pictures you show look really detailed. It is good that books tell about the importance of trees. I love trees, try to protect them and my husband and I get involved in tree planting projects (in our community personally, otherwise through organizations like Treedom around the world). However, it is to be feared that informative books of this type will be read primarily by those who already have good access to nature. Nevertheless, these people will probably also acquire some new knowledge through the book, some connections will become clearer, and this knowledge can spread further. At least we hope so!
ReplyDeleteHave a good time! Best wishes,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/02/costa-rica-5-kapitel-la-paz-waterfall.html
Un libro interesante y que me encantaría tener, pero no lo traducirán al español. Besos.
ReplyDeleteAnother good thing about the book, it is relatively inexpensive, so easy to donate to one's library if so inclined.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting book!!....it seems that it is a very complete book and well desined at the same time..........Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteSounds a good one David.
ReplyDeleteI seem to be coming across a lot of books about trees lately and several of them I've read, including the two you mention in the comments above. Presumably there must be a growing interest in trees for so many books to be published. It can only be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book to me.
ReplyDeleteMy english is too bad to read it if it were written in Dutch I would read it.
Greetings Irma
Hello David
ReplyDeleteI'm always grateful for help given, thank you David. Your glowing review of The Hidden Company That Trees Keep is enticing, and I have no doubt that I would learn a lot. The many illustrations are also an appealing part of this book. I will give it some serious thought.
All the best, and a huge hug.
The book sounds great. Here they wanted to chop down some trees because they make the paving stones uneven, but the people al protested so much they have left them. Hugs, Valerie xxx
ReplyDeleteGracias David . Nos dejas dos buenas recomendaciones. Me gustan los libros que tienen ilustraciones.
ReplyDeleteBueno es observar de primera mano, así descubrimos más detalles. Buen jueves.
Un abrazo.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book, thank you for another great review and suggestion.
Take care, have a great day!
Excellent review, the book is certainly fantastic.
ReplyDeleteDavid, you are right this sounds like a superb book. I can feel your delight in this book coming right off the PC. Hope your day is filled with more joy.
ReplyDeleteTrees have much more of an interesting life than most would expect, so thanks for the review, David.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a lovely book.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Looks like a good read, David.
ReplyDeleteOtro maravilloso libro y en este caso tal vez doblemente maravilloso, ya que el árbol lo es todo en su conjunto, sin árboles, nada o casi nada existe o existiría.
ReplyDeleteTu magnífica reseña, como siempre querido amigo, profundiza y ensalza ese bello libro que a buen seguro no debería faltar en ninguna biblioteca.
Un gran abrazo estimado y apreciado amigo y profesor David.
I do like trees ...
ReplyDeleteThis sounds an excellent book.
All the best Jan
Sounds like a fascinating read, David.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Hello David, it seems a wonderful book to me. Love the way you tell about it.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Roos
I'm not even into this topic as much as you from an academic point of view but I have to say this book sounds fascinating. I love trees and am shocked at the recent deforestation I see up north, lots of clear cutting. Yes, I know the lumber industry has to make a living but I don't see any replanting going on to replace things. Recognizing all trees do for the creatures around them is fascinating. Thanks for this one.
ReplyDeleteRealy interesting book, David.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend!
Excellent review, another interesting and didactic book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Okay, I came looking for you as you were not on either TAD or FFO this week. I am glad I came because this is my kind of book and as soon as I finish saying hello and asking if you are okay, I will be off to Amazon in hopes of finding it there. I do hope your absence is only a matter of taking a break of being off on some excursion so you were unable to post. Look forward to hearing from you so I know :) Be well, David ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
This sounds a great book -- certainly it was a great review . Had I only read the chapter on "Observing First Hand" when our children were early grade-school aged I'm sure they would have become first-rate naturalists -- we used to have a lot of bug jars around the house but I don't think we followed through with the lessons very well!
ReplyDeleteBardzo przydatna pozycja dla przyrodników. Chętnie bym wzięła ta książkę do ręki. Dla mnie niestety niedostępna. Przesyłka do Polski kosztuje więcej niż ta książka ;-)
ReplyDeleteDavid, I leave one more comment, I hope this one manages to be visible.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, another interesting and didactic book.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi David - I've a few books here on trees - and must read them ... trees are so essential to life - as you've described so well ... I'd love to read this one ... thanks for reviewing ... and noting the North American aspect ... I've always related to Gilbert White's early observations back in the 1700s ... Cheers for now - Hilary
ReplyDeleteA strong contender for one of your favorite books of the year is high praise, indeed! I'm glad to know that the dead tree in our backyard is serving such an important purpose. We had to cut the top off because it could have fallen on our house, but we asked them to leave a good part of the trunk because the birds love to perch on the branches while waiting their turns for our feeders.
ReplyDelete