Tree Encounters

This inspiring collection of portraits and stories from South Africa pays tribute to our oldest living companions: the majestic trees that grace our wild and urban spaces, nourishing our intricate, ofter fragile ecosystems.

South Africans from a wide range of backgrounds – writers, conservationists, historians, and tree lovers of all stripes – offer intimate tales of encounters with extraordinary beings: from forest giants to shade-giving childhood companions, from urban landmarks to remote desert dwellers, from mighty baobabs to storied vines.

Tree Encounters is a moving homage to these quiet, powerful maninstays of the natural world – and a compelling plea for their protection. Each account distils the essence of a beloved tree and shows how its long life is interwoven with human culture and history

Compiled by Ruth Parker, ”each tree in this book plays a significant role in its own unique habitat, and each of the writers, in different ways, are devoted to protecting this remarkable legacy”.
And showcasing Brita Lombard’s evocative photography,”each photo tells its own story, and the fascinating accounts by knowledgeable and passionate tree people are an inspiration”.
It not only lists the scientific as well as common names of trees, but provides succinct biographies of its 44 contributors.

If you have a reverence for nature, or a passion for history or photography, this book is for you. It’s a treasure!

Look over the wide range of authors …