The best books on the amazing world of trees

A gorgeously illustrated book detailing how trees changed our world. It is a book exactly to my liking as it perfectly blends scientific information with fascinating stories and insights, making it highly interesting for both the laymen and the professional. It takes pride in being placed on my coffee table where I keep on randomly opening it several times a week, discovering something new every time. This way I am still joyfully reading it, although I have already acquired it months ago. 

The book that started it all. Much of the current global interest in everything trees was actually inspired by Peter Wohlleben's amazing book. After millennia of both religiously and scientifically defining trees as mere things, his was the first non-fiction book that I have read – no devoured – that finally grants trees the status of a living entity. They are much more like us than we have been led to believe. I am certain that after reading it you will never look at trees the same way again. Can’t recommend it highly enough!

A visionary book that sees trees and humankind working together for mutual benefit. Steering clear of both the romanticized image of untouched nature as well as greedy exploitation of natural resources it impressively demonstrates how humans and forests have always thrived from each other. It was this highly positive concept of coexistence with nature that really inspires me to this day.

This series of books really needs no introduction. If I had to name one book that sparked my fascination for everything trees and forests like no other it would be this one. Having read it almost religiously every summer holiday J. R. R. Tolkien’s writings about Fangorn forest and its shepherds, the treelike Ents, are still my favorite portrayal of trees. Much like in the book I steadfastly believe that they fight on our side and that only by truly uniting with them will we ever be able to tackle the monumental environmental challenges ahead.

A brilliantly written, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about humans, their relationship to trees, and the natural environment. Focusing on several characters whose lives were, sometimes tragically, sometimes heartwarmingly changed by trees they eventually unite to fight against ruthless logging companies. It is definitely not an easy read, but oh so worth it.