I really enjoyed the essays in Treenotes and even wished they were longer. It was a fascinating read and really has made me rethink my own relationships with trees in a different way. The essays truly convey the author's passion and love and I would definitely like to read more that Nadkarni publishes on the subject. Will purchase for the collection.

I truly love this book. "TreeNotes" by Nalini Nadkarni is a beautiful collection of small vignettes, each focused on a few specific types of trees. These lovely and informative reflections are grouped according to seasonal themes, and Nadkarni shares her own thoughts as well as factual information about each group of trees. Readers will come away from this book with a deeper understanding of the way trees impact our lives in big and small ways, and they will be eager to share fascinating and amusing tidbits from each vignette. There is an amazing amount of information packed into this slim volume, and it is written in such an engaging and accessible way that readers of a wide variety of ages will find much to adore here. Highly recommended for all collections, both public and private. I'll most definitely be purchasing a copy for myself, as well as recommending it far and wide.

TreeNotes is just as the title states: notes about trees. Please don't expect any in-depth research or information on trees, that's not this book. I viewed it as almost a primer for trivia nights, giving basic, simple information on what trees the wood from railroad ties or chopsticks come from. Nadkarni does slip in tidbits of bias opinion throughout the book, but keeps it neutral enough to not make it off-putting. Overall this was neat enough to pique interest and perhaps spur ambition to dive deeper into the topic of trees and their histories.

Thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for the eGalley to review!

Broken up into seasons from winter to the next winter, TreeNotes by Nalini Nadkarni is exactly what it says it is: It's a book with anecdotes, musings, and trivia about trees! And it's delightful! I knew some of the things mentioned but my eyes were opened to a whole new side of trees I didn't know, mostly about how they're used by humans. The most interesting notes to me were the ones on telephone poles, corks, vanilla, and mistletoe. There are some disheartening notes about our destructive use of trees (like the one on chopsticks), but the tone of each note remains hopeful and helpful throughout. Where there is bad news, it is immediately followed up with good news about how we as a society are taking measures to restore a balanced relationship with trees and to fix the problems we've created.

I absolutely love the inclusion of the scientific names of the trees and a "tree index" in the back for those looking for information on specific trees. Each note is spread across two pages but without the page layout, they'd easily fit on a single page. It's perfect for bite-sized reading or even for reading it all in one sitting without issue!

In fact, this is an excellent resource for trivia if you need it! It's also simply an ode to trees and how we can be more appreciative of them and the myriad ways they affect our lives--even for the most enthusiastic tree hugger! For instance, my dad is a woodworker with a decades-long appreciation for trees and their unique wood properties and I just know he's going to be even more appreciative of them after he reads this one. This is definitely one for the environmental collection!

This is a short, reflective read split into the seasons of the year. It is informative while also easy to read. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer! Great gift for a tree or nature lover. A nice book to pick up now and again for a quick reflective read.

This was a did not finish as I simply could not get into this book. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

A lovely little book reflecting on the remarkable lives of trees. These short essays were fascinating, and I wish they'd gone a little bit deeper, because I often found myself just getting into them as they were ending. But you've got to appreciate a one-sitting book!

I was skeptical about how interesting trees would be but the essays exceeded my expectations. The book was easy to read and the stories were engaging. I learned so many new things about trees that blew my mind. I know I really like a book when I can't wait to share it with other people which is exactly what I've been doing with TreeNotes. Great job!

TreeNotes is journey through short stories about trees. Each story is a perfect blend of personal anecdotes and facts about trees. The various facts range from global traditions to the creation of drumsticks. The way this book is split up is very appealing, giving you little tidbits that leave you wondering and coming back for more. It honestly was like a perfect little look into the authors mind and how they explore their knowledge of trees.

This did not affect my review, but when I downloaded the galley to my kindle, it was formatted oddly to where it made the introductions to each section look off.

Like the author, I grew up climbing trees. If you also spent hours in the crook of a tree, you’ll enjoy, TreeNotes by Nalini Nadkarni.

This is a lovely collection of micro-essays that reflect on different trees, their usage, & how we interact with them in the world. Nadkarni even muses about fake trees created to hide cell towers - masking the modern world while we enjoy the great outdoors. Each essay is filled with fun facts and may propel you down a rabbit hole to learn more. Many left me wanting more. You’ll also be left with the desire to head outside and hug a tree.

Tree Notes is a beautiful little book that I know I will revisit again and again. Nalini Nadkarni is a national geographic explorer and forest ecologist. But the real draw, she truly loves trees! And has since she was very young, her lifelong relationship with, and her love of trees, is easily recognized by any tree lover making this an educational pleasure to read! This book is the perfect balance of information and anecdotes, of knowledge and heart. And all the interesting little facts - what types of wood makes the best drumsticks for different reasons, learning about bark cloth and cork trees. This book is seasonally divided, quick and easy reading, and who could resist that cover! I received a digital copy and I know I will be ordering a hard copy just for its simple beauty. 4.5 ⭐s

Well, this was darling. TreeNotes doesnt ask much of the reader, but its a sweet little journey through some gentle botany. Its sort of like scrolling reels - each small segment introduces a new idea and gives just enough information for the reader to understand it without ever being overwhelming. Even as a biologist with a more than passing familiarity with botany, I never really felt bored. Its an interesting kind of journal to keep: pick a topic youre intimate with and record the unseen ways it integrates with humanity. Four seasonal odes to a passion.

Thank you to Netgalley and National Geographic Books for providing the advanced reader ebook in exchange for an honest review.

TreeNotes by forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni feels like it was written for me as someone who needs to be constantly surrounded by trees and enveloped in them. Her brief background includes mention of her first book written as a youngster. I love her relatable lifelong connection to trees! Thankfully, I live in a country of forests and spend time in them every moment possible. This seasonal little book is about looking for and observing the everyday in trees, peeling back the layers and really absorbing everything about them.

Though a master gardener, I did not know that spruce trees contain both tension and compressed wood or about the Janka rating or put a lot of thought into the importance of tree pollen. I had forgotten that the gingko tree drops all its leaves in a day or two. What a joy to sink my teeth into oak masting, contemplating peach hairs, reasons for branch arcs and slants and to dig into the massive Baobab tree. But that's not all. There are snippets about wood termites and acorn ants.

Of the current 73,000 tree species, it seems like many are in my area, almost an unfair advantage! Not exactly true but trees are a priority in my life. My region has published free books about trees to visit here which must be rare, old or historical historically significant. My husband and I often go on hunts for these treasures and recently saw a 900-year-old chestnut, a massive oak tree which shades an entire town square, and a 1,000 year-old gnarled olive tree.

My sincere thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating book about one of my favourite subjects, trees. Even saying the word brings a smile to my face!

The publisher notes that this book is from an esteemed National Geographic explorer and forest ecologist making her the perfect companion for these pages. Nadkarni has loved trees since childhood and, by now, has climbed trees on four continents.

Readers will enjoy dipping into this author’s essays which she says are about “celebrating everyday trees and their relationships with everyday people who encounter them.” These encounters can include even simple things like using chopsticks.

The book is organized by seasons. Entries are short, engaging and easy to read. By the end, readers will walk away with a deep appreciation for nature’s gifts and will know that it is important to preserve our natural resources.

Many thanks to NetGalley and National Geographic for this title. All opinions are my own.

You can just feel the author's passion for the subject in this book. This is an enjoyable and engaging read about trees and their reactions with humans, history, and each other. I have learned so many wonderful things from this book. Definitely recommend!

As an autistic woman with a special interest in trees and life in general, these essays astounded me. I feel connected and assured. I loved every moment of it.

What a lovely little book of lighthearted meditations on our friends the trees! This book was informative, engaging, and in perfect little devotional-like chunks. The beauty of this book is in its simplicity.

This is a surprising little book. Sectioned by our four seasons, they are literally little tree notes from an ecologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large. Each one brings a little joy to your day.

I loved learning about bark cloth, discovering the healing of willows (their scientific name, Salix, is from the Celtic word meaning “near water”), and finding out more about how we encounter (and can more sustainably use) trees like in violin bows and cork. I’ve been reading a lot about trees lately, and this fits right in as a refreshing start or end to the day.

Thank you to NegGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Glorious little book about trees! Woven through Nadkarni’s notes including personal stories, wisdom and experiences shares copious and varied facts about trees, that range from global traditions to pollen, petrified wood to drumsticks, and that’s just the first chapter.! It’s fascinating all of the tree knowledge, in a highly consumable note format, making it easy to reach for and get some tree education each day. It’s perfect unpredictability made me smile again and again— you know it all revolves around trees, but you wonder, what will I learn next? Perfect for tree lovers like me!🌲🫶🌲

The title accurately describes this book. The chapters are a little longer than factoids, but encompass notes. I wonder what this book will look like on paper. There is plenty of interesting tree-related information, but it seems a little scattered. Maybe a more fluid book might have resulted in more time spent massaging the information. Maybe that wasn't what was intended.