Have you ever had someone start telling you a story and then some detail causes them to split off in the middle and start another story, and maybe even wander off into a 3rd before circling back to the original? That's what reading this book is like. Each chapter is ostensibly about some particular tree. But Wells will hare off about some other trees that might be related or was once thought to be related or has a similar name but is otherwise totally unrelated or has similar leaves or... You get the idea. While all seems factually correct, I found this wandering style unsatisfying. But that is purely a matter of personal taste. If you are interested in trees, you could pick worse books. ( )

Overall I really liked this book. I thought that there was a good balance, usually, between anecdotes and factual information for each of the entries. The author tried to end each entry with an emotional tug - "We are reminded that just as a new live tree can sprout from seemingly dried out willow branches, so could the souls of the two lovers rise from the ashes and fly away, free as birds." (p.342) - which I found contrived and rather annoying. The little sketches of each tree's leaves, flowers, or overall form were delightful. Basically a nice little reference book that reads better than a reference book. ( )

I enjoyed this reference book and leave it on my coffee/tea table so I can occassionally re-read about a particular tree. The book reveals more the myth and story behind various trees versus an indepth botanical study which makes it a light and fun read one can pick and put down at random. ( )