The Overstory Book: Cultivating Connections with Trees, 2nd Edition

by Craig R. Elevitch (Editor)

Whether in a small backyard or a larger farm or forest, trees are vital to the web of life. Protecting and planting trees can restore wildlife habitat, heal degraded land, conserve soil, protect watersheds, diversify farm or garden products, beautify landscapes, and enhance the economic and ecological viability of land use systems. Careful planning and sound information is needed to reach these goals. The Overstory Book distills essential information about working with trees into 134 short, easy-to-read, single-subject chapters. Each chapter shares key concepts and useful information, so readers can get back to planting and protecting more trees, gardens, and forests, more effectively. * Discover time-tested agricultural and conservation techniques from indigenous and traditional peoples * Work with beneficial microorganisms, from mycorrhizal fungi to nitrogen-fixing bacteria and more * Create abundance with fruit trees, timber trees, vine crops, vegetables, mushrooms, and more * Form alliances with animals, from wildlife, birds, and insects to integrated, free-range livestock * Design effective tree-based windbreaks, noise barriers, live fences, and erosion buffers * Understand how to grow or obtain the highest quality seeds, seedlings, and plant materials * Restore fertility, productivity, and biodiversity with trees * Work with multipurpose plants including trees, palms, bamboos, and more * Market products effectively to improve economic returns sustainably * Locate helpful internet sites, organizations, people, and publications * And much more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Book Club, Ecology, Sustainability

548 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

Reviews

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read “The Secret Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben two summers ago. The Overstory is for me a refresher and reminder of the awe we owe life - and trees, told through the lives of people connected to them, as we are; every one of us.
This book is magnificent, truly.

[Anne Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! One of my favorites! While it appears thick and long, the chapters are 4-5 pages long and stand alone. There are nine people from a first generation Chinese, an artist, a professor, to a hippie college student who are followed throughout their lives. They all have had a tree, woods, forest, or natural environment have a positive impact in their lives. I highly recommend.

[Matt Fetherstonhaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favourite book of the year, reshaped my appreciation of trees and opened my eyes to their true beauty

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

No idea how this made it onto my reading list and, at first, I was a bit confused about why I'd want to listen to this book. It seemed scientific and boring and all about trees. I enjoy nature, but a whole book on trees is not me. I went back and read the synopsis on Goodreads and decided to continue. Some of the reviews I read said it was in short chapters about different people and how their lives were affected by trees; the stories were short and it was a fast read. While there were different characters in the book, they were interwoven throughout and with each other, with one exception. The stories intertwined like the branches of a tree and I thought it was beautifully crafted and written. The love of these amazing plants is also intertwined into every word and I finished the book with a new appreciation for the towering giants all around us.

[Leonie McLinden]

I’m noticing trees I’ve never seen before!

[Amelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoying this beautiful, amazing, overarching, surprising, fascinating book. It brings you closer to the world of trees, forests, the inter-twindedness of life. It’s breathtaking, full of facts that leave you gasping. Favourite story so far is that of Patty.. a loner who has a connection to trees and their world that she devotes her life to exploring. I identify with her feelings of ‘otherness’ to the human race. What a confusing species we are.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Unique. Wonderful writing. Important messages

[Dan Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated, as it was published in 2004 and consists mostly of papers from the 90s.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so beautiful - I feel like it split my heart open then healed me, all at the same time.

[Rigatoni Baloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERS. I loved this book until the last section- Seeds. I got whiplash jumping from scene to scene, present to alternate future, so much that what happened in those words got lost. Maybe it was too much foreshadowing. Felt unnecessary. I gave a copy to my sister and she finished before me; I swear if she hadn't told me that the character who died in the protest fire was supposed to be Ray and Dot's daughter in an alternate universe, or that Dr. Patricia Westwood commits suicide on stage at the convention, with Neelay on stage as well, I'd never know. I didn't get that at all.

It didn't totally detract from the whole of the story and the writing is incredible. I'm already a nature lover and can name many plants, trees, etc. Something that stuck with me is if you're going to cut down a tree, what you make with the wood should be at least as valuable as the tree. I don't know how to measure an objects value compared to the wealth of benefits trees provide for humanity, but I'll certainly think about it. Like a cedar shoe wrack? I have one, from Target, and I feel awful now. I thought the enemy was mass produced plastic from China, but now I think irresponsible wood based production is just as bad.

[David Firstshallblast · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever connected with a tree, felt the life force within this book is for you. If you haven't had such an experience please read this book and imagine just how precious trees and forests are.