tree life story tree life story tree biography australia canadian non fiction book written illustrated book profiles life douglas fir tree seed maturity death story provides ecological context describing interactions forest historical context parallels world events occur tree years life biographical narrative scattered book provide background related topics history inspired write biography tree noticed douglas fir curve trunk speculated caused grow shape studied topic help research assistant help write book vancouver publishers released book september canadian market peaked number non fiction best seller lists nominated awards february published australia premise writing received critics reviewers found authors succeeded accessible language found technical background inspiration book came douglas fir tree curve trunk sitting tree home near vancouver realized family played years know old curve developed science writer broadcaster zoologist speculated soil slid tree young plant blocked sunlight thought tree endured life connection biographies people story tree life reminded idea children book life especially plants research assistant studied topic started write draft busy schedule interfered sought collaborator science writer editor agreed participate provided research framework original writing writing ontario vancouver went drafts wildlife artist brought project social connections wives creating book intention illustrate complexity ecosystem focusing tree role time synopsis book consists chapters birth taking root growth maturity death book opens introduction closes selected references index introduction describes tree home series ideas events led writing book narrative tree life book includes related topics history animal life forest tree written book specific generic chapter birth begins lightning starting forest fire heat douglas fir scales spread release winged seeds rain water transports seed area drained soil food destroyed fire eat survived underground leave containing nitrogen fixing bacteria soil following dormant winter stage seed begins second chapter taking root root emerges small opening seed coat cell division aided plant grows downward water nutrients enter root transported relationship develops roots roots extra uses energy assist roots water nutrients excess nutrients gathered root stem similar root surrounded thin grayish bark grows upwards reserves exhausted begins tree anchors deep web roots begin grow roots develop relationships near red nitrogen lack storage capacity douglas fir offer early april year new layer grows bark wood new layer takes transportation tree year layer cells die form ring wood years tree begins develop fertile form accumulate new remain july continue develop fall winter year open mid exposing new set cone lower end tree burst open april releasing mist tree open scales wind borne enter cone seed released september quantity quality seed production varies year year particularly effective crop produced years seeds survive douglas dark eyed seed eating animals centuries tree grows thicker taller successive rings develop trunk new grow branches tree old growth forest shaded damp trees shrubs canopy mat dead accumulate wide upper branches exposed light air rain mat insects fungus new plants opening final chapter death tree years old stands meters feet tall weight snow accumulating canopy mat branch breaks stresses long winter dry summer weaken tree immune system exposed area branch broke infected insects fungus insect larvae eat fungus spreads middle tree roots tissue system compromised tree nutrients resulting turning orange abandoned branches death takes years occur successive parts slowly nutrients home succession animals like bats eventually roots blows fungi grow followed colonies ants help remaining wood genre style tree popular science book intended profile life single tree terminology targeted general audience narrative provides ecological context describing animals plants interact tree historical context parallels tree age historical events like tree taking root science taking root europe life 13th century philosopher book commonly described marketed biography reviewer grouped book golden spruce new genre book written person style writing characteristic rhetoric create writing accessible tone described breezy reader according making book accessible required telling story human perspective including biological processes publication book published imprint based vancouver nature travel sports topics published hardcover version tree september book small measuring inches pages promoted media interviews book signing events canada february published australia tree biography recording released audio book april published trade paperback february reception canadian market hardcover edition peaked number non fiction best seller lists magazine published excerpt january february edition nominated general annual award best general interest book french translation nominated governor general awards best english french translation premise biography tree received writing called engaging lyrical compelling wrote tree science writing finest sweeping focused aware big picture concepts complex writing accessible scientific matters explained terms text reviewers found language technical montreal gazette wrote scientific language feeling concern tree information black white illustrations skilled said add little narrative
Tree: A Life Story