The Song of Trees by David Haskell

Summary (Amazon): David Haskell has won acclaim for eloquent writing and deep engagement with the natural world. Now, he brings his powers of observation to the biological networks that surround all species, including humans. Haskell repeatedly visits a dozen trees, exploring  connections with people, microbes, fungi, and other plants and animals. He takes us to  trees in cities (from Manhattan to Jerusalem), forests (Amazonian, North American, and boreal) and areas on the front lines of environmental change (eroding coastlines, burned mountainsides, and war zones.)  In each place he shows how human history, ecology, and well-being are intimately intertwined with the lives of trees.
 
Scientific, lyrical, and contemplative, Haskell reveals the biological connections that underpin all life.  In a world beset by barriers, he reminds us that life’s substance and beauty emerge from relationship and interdependence.

Reviews:

Videos:

1. Listening to Trees: Alex Metcalf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AtcQL7bIHc

2. TED Talk: Trees, People and Interconnection: We're All Made from Relationships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ILCendITgM

3. Stories Happen in the Forest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4bpKHfWhAk

4. Nature Moments: The Song of Trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e28IYTONXdY

5. National Geographic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kHZ0a_6TxY

6. BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWOqeyPIVRo

(Ceibo, Ecuador)

Reviews:

1. The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/04/trees-have-their-own-songs/521742/

2. The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jul/07/songs-of-trees-david-george-haskell-review

(wikipedia - Red-bellied Woodpecker)

Interviews: 

1. NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/04/04/522011396/the-key-to-life-is-the-network

2. Outside Magazine: https://www.outsideonline.com/2167116/david-haskell-speaks-trees

3. 360 Yale: https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-listening-to-trees-can-help-reveal-natures-connections

Author's Site: https://dghaskell.com/

(Sabal palms on Catherine Island from Author)

Discussion Questions: (This will include last month's book, Buzz, Sting, Bite and also Haskell's book for our discussion due to the pandemic and change of format. We will be meeting via Zoom - if you are interested in participating, please make a comment below for an invitation to join in. If you are a member, you should have received an invitation via email.)

After reading Buzz, Sting, Bite, which facts and stories surprised you and how did they change your perspective about insects?

As described in both books, humans are having major impacts on every aspect of life on earth. Discuss how these changes affect both insects as well as trees including, excess light, insecticides, climate change, plastics, salt, etc.

Haskell emphasizes that life is about relationships and a living network, but that there are tensions that exist between them. Discuss the human relationship with “nature” as well as reflecting on your own concept of what nature means to you. (See pp. viii, 179, 186)

In the Songs of Trees, which stories resonated with you and why?

We read The Forest Unseen by Haskell previously, and this is the second “Haskell” reading for our group. Discuss his style and organization of this book. Are there any excerpts that you especially liked or not? Which book did you like more?

Which aspects of the world are you attuned to and tickle your senses? (see page 191-)

(mnn.com)