Knowing the Trees: Discover the Forest from Seed to Snag

From the Pacific coast's ancient redwoods to the iconic fall foliage of New England, see the forest and the trees from a fresh perspective with award-winning naturalist and outdoor educated Ken Keffer as your guide.

This book examines on of North America's greatest biomes from seed to snag, sharing essential scientific discoveries, forest ecology, and fascinating anecdotes, accompanied by lively illustrations from artist Emily Walker.

Following the life cycle of a tree, Keffer showcases the natural wonders of a forest—how seeds disperse, vast underground networks of interconnected roots, inner workings of tree trunks, phtosynthesis in the treetop canopy, and even the afterlife of trees. Discover the connections between woodland flora and fauna, the diversity of life in the understory, and how stands of Saguaro cactus and Joshua trees serve as forests without actual trees. Seeds of Knowledge sidebars offer deeper insight into how forests function.

Experience the wonders of the forest—from familiar urban woods to groves of ancient giants—with a renewed understanding of this integral part of our planet.