The best 17 Plants & Trees books

Trees are engaged in countless complex cycles and they constantly struggle for water, light and their own survival. This struggle has led to some astonishing abilities: trees communicate with one another, give each other assistance, collaborate with fungi and other creatures, have memories and have even developed their own version of the internet!

• Anyone who’d like to experience the woods in a very new way
• Students of biology and ecosystems
• People who work in farming or forestry, or who have their own garden

A Walk in the Woods (1997) is author Bill Bryson’s personal account of walking the Appalachian Trail – one of the longest hiking trails in the US – which stretches from Georgia in the South to Maine in the North. Partially a memoir recalling his attempt to follow its route, the book is also a tribute to the ecology, wildlife, geological history and natural environment of North America. What’s more, Bryson’s old school friend, Stephen Katz, also comes along for the ride.

• Hikers and travelers
• Lovers of nature and the great outdoors
• Anyone who likes a good adventure story

Losing Eden (2020) explores how modern alienation from the natural world is causing a global mental health crisis – and how we can reintroduce nature to our lives. Author Lucy Jones embarks on a fascinating journey through new scientific research that shows why forging a bond with nature is critical for our health and wellness, while also raising awareness about the alarming effects of its absence.

• Nature lovers who are worried about the future of the planet
• Anyone interested in boosting their mental health 
• People concerned with socioeconomic inequality

The Incredible Journey of Plants (2020) tells the fascinating story of how plants came to inhabit every corner of the globe. Pairing natural history with the latest insights from the life sciences, this biological biography shows how plants are much more dynamic than they seem.

• Plant-lovers eager to learn more about their gardens
• Herbivores curious about the history of their food 
• Anyone interested in deeper insights into the natural world

The Eight Master Lessons of Nature (2019) is a reflective treatise on what nature can teach us about living well. Carefully observing many forms of life, from forest mushrooms to mighty elephants, the guide reveals valuable lessons they may hold for us. In doing so, it invites us to look again at the wild world around us with a renewed sense of awe and wonder.

• City slickers seeking a greener life
• Nature lovers looking for a deeper connection
• Those searching for a more mellow approach to living

Grand Transitions (2020) offers a sweeping overview of global transitions, from population growth to environmental changes. It examines the ways that we’ve shaped the world, for better or worse, and looks at the challenges facing humanity in the decades to come.

• People who want to understand world history, and how we got where we are today
• Environmentalists, and anyone interested in the state of the planet
• Realists looking for a future forecast based on facts

For thousands of years, we humans have been struggling against nature. Under a White Sky (2021) explores the problems that come about when we win that fight –⁠ and how scientists, engineers, and others are trying to fix them. From the quaint to the grandiose, from the quirky to the terrifying, it’s our responsibility to explore all available remedies for the deep damage we’ve wrought.

• Anyone concerned about the state of the natural world
• Plant and animal lovers
• Futurists curious about global changes

Forest Bathing (2018) is a guide to the Japanese practice of forest bathing. It explores the beliefs, culture, and traditions behind forest bathing, as well as various studies on its health benefits. It also lays out easy-to-follow steps for practicing forest bathing in any environment.

• People interested in nature’s effect on human health
• Nature lovers
• Japanese culture enthusiasts

The Comfort Crisis (2021) offers a cure for the physical and mental health problems of modern-day life. It’s all about getting comfortable with discomfort, which can mean anything from roughing it in the wilderness to contemplating death.

• People feeling disillusioned with modern life
• Restless spirits craving an Into the Wild experience
• Anyone interested in improving their physical or mental health

The Secret World of Weather (2021) teaches you how to speak the forgotten language of local climates. Clouds, winds, plants, and other features of our environment all give us clues about the weather as we actually experience it versus what we’ve heard on the daily forecast. With just a little practice, you’ll find it easy to tune into their secret messages and start making your own weather forecasts.

• Hikers, bikers, and wandering spirits
• City dwellers looking to reconnect with nature
• Anyone who doesn’t quite trust their weather app!

This Is Your Mind on Plants (2021) is a vivid, intricate probe into the history, chemistry, and effects of three plant-derived drugs: opium, caffeine, and mescaline. These substances – a sedative, a stimulant, and a hallucinogen – represent a large part of the human experience with drugs. It’s time to shed new light on how they’ve shaped our histories, cultures, and minds.

• Psychonauts and introspective thinkers
• Botanists, plant lovers, and science geeks
• Anyone interested in the history of the US war on drugs and its effects

The Emerald Planet (2007) looks at the central role plants have played in shaping the planet and its environment. New research makes use of plants, both fossilized and living, to explain how the planet got where it is, and where it might go in the future. The Emerald Planet inspired a three-part BBC series called How to Grow a Planet.

• Anyone interested in plant biology and paleobotany
• People who want to learn more about ancient mass extinctions
• Evolutionary science enthusiasts

Finding the Mother Tree (2021) is a vivid blend of science and memoir that describes the breathtaking personal and professional journey of renowned ecologist Suzanne Simard. It unearths the strange and surprising secrets buried deep in the forests of British Columbia –⁠ and, in the process, forever alters our understanding of the natural world. 

• Lovers of the natural world
• Fans of memoir and biography
• Anyone yearning to escape the city for the wilderness

The Light Eaters (2024) explores the astonishing capabilities of plants, examining how plants communicate, recognize kin, adapt their form, and respond to stimulus. By highlighting current research and debates in botany, it challenges our understanding of plants and their roles in the ecosystem, urging us to reconsider humanity’s relationship with the natural world. 

• Curious people interested in biology, ecology, or questions on the nature of intelligence
• The eco-conscious who need a break from bad news
• Anyone obsessed with their house plants or garden

Every Living Thing (2024) explores the bitter rivalry between Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon to catalog every living thing, a competition that gave birth to modern biological science while also planting the seeds of scientific racism. It reveals how historical accidents and political forces ensured that the wrong man’s ideas triumphed, leaving us with Linnaeus’s rigid classification system even though Buffon was right about evolution, extinction, and the interconnected nature of life.

• Science fans who enjoy discovering how scientific knowledge developed through human rivalry and error
• History buffs who appreciate colorful characters and surprising connections to modern issues
• Anyone curious about how political forces shape the scientific ideas that survive

Evergreen (2025) explores the history of a Christmas ritual – putting up a tree. Reflecting on humanity’s long-running relationship with evergreens, it raises questions of belief, tradition, and environmental responsibility.

• Tree lovers
• People interested in history
• Anyone who wants to make more environmentally friendly choices

Gathering is a memoir by Diane Ott Whealy that chronicles her journey to preserve heirloom seeds and the stories behind them. Through her personal experiences and family history, Whealy explores the importance of preserving biodiversity and the cultural significance of these seeds. This book is a celebration of the connections between people, plants, and the earth.

• Individuals interested in organic gardening and sustainable farming
• People curious about the history and origins of heirloom plants
• Gardeners looking for practical tips and advice on seed saving and biodiversity