Best Trees in Biological Sciences Books of 2025

How to Read a Tree by Tristan Gooley is an essential guidebook for anyone who wants to learn the secret language of trees. Gooley reveals how to interpret the clues hidden in plain sight, from a tree's branches and leaves to its bark, buds, and flowers. The book is a fascinating read, packed with information that will undoubtedly leave you with a deeper appreciation of trees. Gooley leads us into their language, how to spot their natural tendencies, and individual foibles, and to recognize their responses to stress and ingenious strategies to survive. This book is a must-read for nature lovers and tree enthusiasts.

The Hidden Life of Trees is an eye-opening account of the science behind how trees communicate, feel, and live in social networks. Author Peter Wohlleben draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families, supporting each other as they grow, sharing nutrients, and even warning each other of impending dangers. This book is an engrossing primer on trees, brimming with facts and an unashamed awe for nature. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a better appreciation of the natural world around us.

The Language of Trees: A Rewilding of Literature and Landscape by Katie Holten is an inspiring and beautifully illustrated collection of writings that celebrates the magic of trees. Through her tree alphabet, Holten invites readers to discover a new language to read and write the natural world around us. With contributions from over fifty writers, including Ursula K. Le Guin and Zadie Smith, the book considers our relationship with literature and landscape. It is a masterpiece that fuses storytelling and art, and a delightful celebration of trees through the ages. Unmissable for anyone who cares about the environment.

The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region is an indispensable resource for nature lovers, covering nearly 700 species of trees in the eastern region of North America. With full-color photographs of leaf shape, bark, flowers, fruit, and fall leaves, and informative text, this guidebook is perfect for both beginner and advanced tree enthusiasts. The book's organization allows readers to easily narrow down tree species based on visible characteristics and learn about their physical characteristics, habitat, and range. Overall, this book is an excellent companion for any nature lover's day pack or home library.

The Architecture of Trees is a must-have for any landscape architect or nature enthusiast. The book features over 550 stunning illustrations of 212 tree species, drawn to scale with and without foliage. It also includes tables of seasonal color variation and projections of shadows cast by the trees during the hours of daylight and season by season. The book is a legendary botanical masterpiece, considered a standard in many landscape architecture firms. Anyone interested in nature and trees will be captivated by the stunning illustrations. This book is a beautiful and informative addition to any coffee table or bookshelf.

The Hidden Life of Trees: The Illustrated Edition is an awe-inspiring book that combines breathtaking photos of forests with compelling text from the bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees. Peter Wohlleben’s writing highlights the interconnectedness of forest ecosystems, including the fungal communication highway known as the “wood wide web,” and the natural cleanup crews that recycle dying trees. The stunning images of trees from around the world provide the perfect complement to Wohlleben’s words, making this book a must-read for anyone who loves nature. This edition, published in partnership with the David Suzuki Institute, is a beautiful and timeless addition to any book collection.

The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees is an extensive visual guide to trees that explores their scientific traits, ecological importance, and cultural significance. From ancient oaks to imposing kapoks, the book reveals the anatomy, behaviors, and beauty of these incredible plants and habitats in detail. Combining natural history with a wider look at the history, uses, symbolism, and mythology of trees, this book is a new kind of guide to these fascinating organisms. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in ecology and the natural world.

Wise Trees is an awe-inspiring collection of photographs that showcases over 50 historical trees from around the world. Diane Cook and Len Jenshel, two highly acclaimed landscape photographers, spent two years traveling to 59 sites across five continents to capture these magnificent trees. From the Coastal Redwood in California to the Bodhi Tree in India, the book features trees that have shaped human civilizations, cultures, and spiritual beliefs. The book also highlights survivor trees, including the 9/11 Survivor Tree. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves nature and wants to learn more about the significant role trees play in our lives.

The Sibley Guide to Trees is a comprehensive field guide to over 600 tree species native to North America, as well as many introduced species. Written by David Allen Sibley, the book condenses a large amount of information into an accessible and easy-to-use format. The guide features over 4,100 detailed paintings that highlight the subtle similarities and distinctions between different tree species. The layout is arranged taxonomically, making it easy to browse through the images and pinpoint specific information. The Sibley Guide to Trees is a must-have for anyone interested in tree identification and conservation.

A Year of Forest School: Outdoor Play and Skill-building Fun for Every Season is a must-have book for parents and educators looking for ways to get kids outdoors, come rain or shine. The book is packed with a variety of crafts, games, and activities that are seasonally appropriate and designed to help children develop new skills while exploring the natural world. The authors share their Forest School ethos, which is based on nature-based play and learning, and encourage children to build lasting connections with the environment. The extended session ideas and stories from the authors' own Forest School classes make this book unique. Overall, this book is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to encourage children's access to nature and promote their well-being.