Trees Archives

Garden Writer Alice Lounsberry: A Life Devoted to Flowers and Friendship

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 6, 1868 On this day, the botanist and garden writer Alice Lounsberry was born in New York City. From a young age, Alice developed a deep love for the natural world, exploring…

The Sibley Guide to Trees by David Allen Sibley

As Heard on The Daily Gardener Podcast: The Sibley Guide to Trees by David Allen Sibley Although this book was published in 2009, it is one of the best tree-reference books available. This book has over 500 five-star reviews on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why—it’s laid out in such an accessible way that…

October 12, 2021 Top Trees For Fall Color, Berthe Hoola van Nooten, George Washington Cable, Cecil Frances Alexander, Terri Irwin, Carving Out a Living on the Land by Emmet Van Driesche, and Beatrix Potter

Today in botanical history, we celebrate a Dutch botanical illustrator, a writer from New Orleans, and a hymn writer – who wrote over 400 hymns. We’ll hear an excerpt from Terri Irwin – just fabulous – wife of the late great Steve Irwin. We Grow That Garden Library™ with a book about Living on the…

The Tree Book by Michael A. Dirr and Keith S. Warren

As Heard on The Daily Gardener Podcast: The Tree Book by Michael Dirr and Keith Warren This book came out in 2019, and the subtitle is Superior Selections for Landscapes, Streetscapes, and Gardens. Ah, trees! Those majestic, leafy sentinels that grace our landscapes with their verdant presence. But have you ever found yourself standing beneath a…

To Speak for the Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger

As Heard on The Daily Gardener Podcast: To Speak for the Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger This book came out in 2019, and the subtitle is My Life’s Journey from Ancient Celtic Wisdom to a Healing Vision of the Forest. A Canadian botanist, biochemist, and visionary, Diana won the 2019 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award for…

September 20, 2021 Sydney’s Spring Walk, Lorenz Scholz von Rosenau, Mary Sophie Young, Stevie Smith, Patricia Rezai, To Speak for the Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger, and Edgar Albert Guest

Today we celebrate a German botanist, an American botanist, an explorer, and an English poet and novelist. We hear an excerpt about the change in seasons. We Grow That Garden Library™ with a book that challenges us to see trees in a new way – with profound understanding, respect, and intelligence. And then we’ll wrap…

An Ode to Nature: The Legacy of Donald Culross Peattie

Donald Culross Peattie with Flowering Earth Bookcover in the Background.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. June 21, 1898: The American botanist, naturalist, and author Donald Culross Peattie. Donald would become one of America’s most beloved nature writers. With lyrical prose that captivated readers of all ages, Donald Peattie…

June 21, 2021 Jay Sifford’s Garden, Leonhard Rauwolf, Donald Culross Peattie, Susan Wiggs, Small Garden Design by Paul Bangay and Ian McEwan

Today we celebrate an old account of Tripoli gardens. We’ll remember a botanist, naturalist, and author who believed in the power of walking. We hear an excerpt from a book by author Susan Wiggs. We Grow That Garden Library™ with a wonderful book about small garden design. And then we’ll wrap things up with a…

Rachel Summers, Owner of Curious Wilds Forest, Lifts Neighborhood Spirits by Identifying Trees with Sidewalk Chalk

“The first image showed a label for a London Plane tree on the sidewalk, which read: My favorite! Takes pollution out of the air.” April 9, 2020 Last year, in the early days of the worldwide lockdown due to COVID-19, an English arborist started adding a charming touch to her neighborhood by labeling local trees…

Celebrating Friedrich Welwitsch and the Surreal-Looking Tree: Welwitschia mirabilis

In 1862, Joseph Dalton Hooker described the plant as “the ugliest yet [most] botanically magnificent plant in the world.” February 5, 1806 Today is the birthday of the Austrian botanist and explorer Friedrich Welwitsch. Friedrich found a second home in Portugal, where he served as the Botanic Gardens director in Lisbon. Friedrich had some…

Welcome February with The Language of the Trees by Scottish Poet Charles MacKay

“This little obscure poem from the Scottish poet Charles MacKay seems an excellent way to usher in February.” We’re in the grips of winter now, and the trees dominate the landscape. I thought I’d close today’s show with a little poem about trees that I stumbled upon while doing tree research. We’re learning more and…

February 1, 2021 Why Deadwood Should Be Removed, Langston Hughes, Ben Hur Lampman, How to Start a Garden, Botanicum by Kathy Willis, and the Language of Trees

Today we celebrate a Harlem poet who loved children and flowers. We’ll also learn about a newspaperman who wrote a fantastic essay about a harbinger of spring: the skunk cabbage. We’ll hear some thoughts on how to start a garden. We Grow That Garden Library™ with an extraordinary book that takes us on a tour of brilliantly curated plant…

Expert Lee Reich Shares How to Identify Trees in Winter

Lee suggests using expert books that guide you through tree identification steps, such as Fruit Key & Twig Key to Trees and Shrubs by William Harlow or Winter Tree Finder by May Theilgaard and Tom Watts. Both of these books are excellent. January 6, 1996 On this day, The News and Observer out of Raleigh,…

Trees, Shrubs & Hedges for Your Home by Editors of Creative Homeowner

As Heard on The Daily Gardener Podcast: Trees, Shrubs & Hedges for Your Home by Editors of Creative Homeowner This book came out in 2010, and the subtitle is Secrets for Selection and Care (Creative Homeowner) Over 1,000 Plant Descriptions and 550 Photos to Help You Design Your Landscape and Enhance Your Outdoor Space. As…