Keepers of the Trees

A Guide to Re-Greening North America: True Stories of a Tree Doctor, a Big Tree Hunter, an L.A. Tree Planter, a Plant Amnesty Pruner, and a Ninety-Eight-Year-Old Logger

Uplifting stories of fourteen people who have dedicated their lives to trees—beautifully illustrated with one hundred color photographs of tree keepers in action.
 
Across North America, writer and naturalist Ann Linnea found a diverse group of people with one thing in common: their love of trees. Featured in this book are a tree doctor, big tree hunter Will Blozan, PlantAmnesty’s pruner, and ninety-four-year-old logger Merve Wilkinson. Also interviewed are Vietnam veteran Bud Pearson, a victim of post-traumatic stress disorder, who found healing and acceptance as a wood carver in the wilds of Montana, as well as TreePeople founder, Andy Lipkis, who has spent thirty-five years ripping up concrete in Los Angeles to plant over two million trees in an effort to combat flooding and reduce air pollution. Each tree keeper reveals the motivation and organization behind their advocacy with detailed explanations and touching stories of how their lives have come to be shaped by the forests they are fighting to preserve.
 
These are inspirational stories of conservation, healing, passion, and advocacy for any classroom, conservationist, activist, and nature lover.
 
“A bright and breezy writer, Linnea adroitly evokes the infectious enthusiasm felt by each stalwart ‘tree hugger,’ enriching each vibrant profile with keen respect for her subjects’ altruistic stewardship.” —Booklist