Plants trees and flowers not only pre-date animal life but, through the release of oxygen into the earth’s atmosphere, made it possible. We have a diverse set of interviews recommending books on plants, trees and flowers, as well as gardening.
David George Haskell, professor of biology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, chooses his best books on trees and talks about their fundamental role in the development and sustenance of human culture. Jonathan Silvertown, ecologist at the department of life sciences at the Open University, UK, discusses plants trees and flowers and the challenges of feeding a human population that could reach 10 billion. He explains the vital role of plants in the carbon cycle and discusses why trees came to exist and their very different evolutionary trajectories.
Kenneth Cox, nurseryman and author, chooses his best books about plants and plant hunting and Penelope Hobhouse chooses hers on horticultural inspiration, discussing the history or garden design and the gardens flowers and plants that have captured her imagination. Richard Reynolds discusses the long history of guerrilla gardens and his campaign to make the pavements and roundabouts of South London bloom with flowers.
Neal Layton chooses his best books on trees for young readers.
The best books on Trees For Younger Readers, recommended by Neal Layton
Award-winning author and illustrator Neal Layton is passionate about the natural world—especially trees. Among his five recommendations are trees that provide raw materials for building, food and profit; trees that are perfect for climbing; lofty enchanted trees full of adventure; and small yet perfect Christmas trees. Each has a story to tell.
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1
Ecology of a Cracker Childhood
by Janisse Ray -
2
Handbook of Nature Study
by Anna Botsford Comstock -
3
The New Sylva: A Discourse of Forest and Orchard Trees for the Twenty-First Century
by Gabriel Hemery & Sarah Simblet -
4
Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters
by David Hinton & Zhuangzi (aka Chuang Tzu) -
5
The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World
by Michael Pollan
The best books on Trees, recommended by David George Haskell
The best books on Trees, recommended by David George Haskell
‘The wood that frames our houses, holds up our furniture, and gives us paper arrives with signs of its ecological history purged.’ We’re a long way from the campfire where our relationship with trees got going. Here, David George Haskell takes us back, deep into the forest.
The best books on Plants, recommended by Jonathan Silvertown
Internationally known ecologist says plants are grievously overlooked, because no life on earth would exist without them – essential reading on plants
The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting, recommended by Kenneth Cox
The author, plantsman and rhododendron expert selects his favourite books on botanical exploration and explains his passion for plant hunting
The best books on Horticultural Inspiration, recommended by Penelope Hobhouse
Historian of garden design Penelope Hobhouse says creating a garden is not about pulling out weeds – it’s about fulfilling man’s need for organisation and security
The best books on Guerrilla Gardening, recommended by Richard Reynolds
Discussion of the lesser-known subject of guerilla gardening – the illicit cultivation of someone else’s land. A fascinating and historical topic, and eclectic book selections include a history of Google
