Around the world in 80 trees

Trees are among the most constant but most varied companions of man. From the sacred banyan of India to the fragrant cedar of Lebanon, they offer refuge and inspiration, as well as the raw materials to make everything from aspirin to space capsules. In Around the World in 80 Trees, Jonathan Drori travels through time and across cultures using the latest botany to show the role trees play in every part of human life.

Tales range from romantic to unfortunate details, illuminating historical relationships between people and seemingly familiar species, such as elm and beech, while others emphasize the exotic and the extraordinary, such as the explosive dynamite tree or the unique Polynesian plant that collects metal.