The pocket-sized book of this title came into my hands a few weeks ago. Author Daniel Butler has cobbled together a small but mighty text that includes practical advice "How to grow a tree from a cutting," artful symbolic uses for trees, and inspirational musings. My favorite part? The detailed descriptions of various tree species include truly beautiful line-drawn illustrations. I could look at this book for hours.

    Humans have always had a close affinity with trees. Long before our ancestors began to roam the             African plains, let alone venture into a chilly Europe or North America, Homo sapiens were almost totally     reliant on trees for almost all aspects of life. By day, the forest supplied food in the form of fruit, nuts,         leaves, insects, honey, birds, and small animals. At night, the branches offered a refuge from predators.     Travel writer Bruce Chatwin (1940-1989) believed this nocturnal escape to the canopy explains why             babies are so easily lulled to sleep rocking in their mother's arms as her gentle shush echoes the wind in     the leaves.
                            ------Daniel Butler, from "How to Plant a Tree: A Simple celebration of Trees and Tree Planting                                                                                 Ceremonies"