The Tree

A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why They Matter

By: Colin Tudge

Narrated by: Enn Reitel

A blend of history, science, philosophy, and environmentalism, The Tree is an engaging and elegant look at the life of the tree and what modern research tells us about their future.

There are redwoods in California that were ancient by the time Columbus first landed, and pines still alive that germinated around the time humans invented writing. There are Douglas firs as tall as skyscrapers, and a banyan tree in Calcutta as big as a football field.

From the tallest to the smallest, trees inspire wonder in all of us, and in The Tree, Colin Tudge travels around the world—throughout the United States, the Costa Rican rain forest, Panama and Brazil, India, New Zealand, China, and most of Europe—bringing to life stories and facts about the trees around us: how they grow old, how they eat and reproduce, how they talk to one another (and they do), and why they came to exist in the first place. He considers the pitfalls of being tall; the things that trees produce, from nuts and rubber to wood; and even the complicated debt that we as humans owe them.

Tudge takes us to the Amazon in flood, when the water is deep enough to submerge the forest entirely and fish feed on fruit while river dolphins race through the canopy. He explains the “memory” of a tree: how those that have been shaken by wind grow thicker and sturdier, while those attacked by pests grow smaller leaves the following year; and reveals how it is that the same trees found in the United States are also native to China (but not Europe).

From tiny saplings to centuries-old redwoods and desert palms, from the backyards of the American heartland to the rain forests of the Amazon and the bamboo forests, Colin Tudge takes the reader on a journey through history and illuminates our ever-present but often ignored companions.

Great information, a bit long

There's great information in here, but a lot of which is not necessary or great in audiobook format. There is a lot in the middle about taxonomy, which is hard to follow via audio, and a simple graphic or two would convey the information in a fraction of the time.

Can’t see the forest for the Christianity

Only posting this as a warning to others because this book has a marketing issue. Lots of good content, but the “philosophy” mentioned in the description is code for Christian content and discussion of Christianity and evolution. If you’re Christian and love trees, this is the book for you! Sadly it was not the book for me.

not for everybody

This was a very deep dive into trees and the forest. I enjoyed the reading and the information was good. However, I think it may be a little too in-depth for most. I felt like this was a 20 hour review of my forestry degree. This is for intense dendrophiliacs only...

Better than expected

People think I listen to/read boring books. This may be true. This book was entertaining and even humorous. There are books that I couldn’t put down, this was not one of them. It was though, well worth my time.

Not the book described in the Audible summary

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Based on the publisher's summary, and a fascinating opening chapter, I was disappointed that much of the book is a tedious taxonomy. Much attention is paid to Latin names and cataloging; the really interesting facts about trees are buried in all of that.

What aspect of Enn Reitel’s performance would you have changed?

The narrator has a style that's somehow sing-song and monotonous at the same time.

Was The Tree worth the listening time?

I only made it halfway through the book before returning it. I'm sure readers who are interested in the minutiae of class, order, family, etc. will enjoy it.