"Telephone poles, baseball bats, railroad ties. Peaches, nutmeg, and vanilla. The more you look, the more you realize: Our world depends on products made from trees. In this sweet book, forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni takes you on a worldwide journey to learn more about trees--their variety, their usefulness, their beauty, and their importance, not only to human culture, but to the entire natural world. Inspired by Nadkarni's popular podcast broadcast by Utah's public radio station KUER, TreeNotes comprises more than 45 brief essays, organized by season. Chapters roam from big questions to the particular; for instance: How Many Kinds of Trees Are There, Trees and Lightning, Tree Pollen, The Baobab Tree, Mistletoe, Conductors' Batons. Learn what wood Ringo's favorite drumsticks are made of, and how the seeds of the cacao tree become delectable chocolate. Lovely illustrations make every turn of the page a happy moment in this arboreal adventure. For lovers of nature, forest bathers, the conservation-minded, and anyone who wants to spend a few minutes meditating on the meaning of trees in our world, this is the book."-- Provided by publisher.

TreeNotes by forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni explores the many ways trees impact our world. Through over 45 short essays organized by season, the book covers topics such as the variety of trees, their uses, and their role in both human culture and the natural environment. Inspired by Nadkarni's podcast, the essays range from general questions to specific subjects, including tree types, lightning, pollen, and the Baobab tree. The book also highlights fun facts, like the type of wood used in drumsticks and how cacao seeds are transformed into chocolate. Illustrated throughout, it offers a thoughtful perspective on trees for nature enthusiasts, conservationists, and anyone curious about the importance of trees.