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The Man Who Planted Trees is the inspiring story of David Milarch's quest to clone the biggest trees on the planet in order to save our forests and ecosystem—as well as a hopeful lesson about how each of us has the ability to make a difference. /> "When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. The second best time? Today."—Chinese proverb
Twenty years ago, David Milarch, a northern Michigan nurseryman with a penchant for hard living, had a vision: angels came to tell him that the earth was in trouble. Its trees were dying, and without them, human life was in jeopardy. The solution, they told him, was to clone the champion trees of the world—the largest, the hardiest, the ones that had survived millennia and were most resilient to climate change—and create a kind of Noah's ark of tree genetics. Without knowing if the message had any basis in science, or why he'd been chosen for this task, Milarch began his mission of cloning the world's great trees. Many scientists and tree experts told him it couldn't be done, but, twenty years later, his team has successfully cloned some of the world's oldest trees—among them giant redwoods and sequoias. They have also grown seedlings from the oldest tree in the world, the bristlecone pine Methuselah.
When New York Times journalist Jim Robbins came upon Milarch's story, he was fascinated but had his doubts. Yet over several years, listening to Milarch and talking to scientists, he came to realize that there is so much we do not yet know about trees: how they die, how they communicate, the myriad crucial ways they filter water and air and otherwise support life on Earth. It became clear that as the planet changes, trees and forest are essential to assuring its survival. Praise for The Man Who Planted Trees
"This is a story of miracles and obsession and love and survival. Told with Jim Robbins's signature clarity and eye for telling detail, The Man Who Planted Trees is also the most hopeful book I've read in years. I kept thinking of the end of Saint Francis's wonderful prayer, 'And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.' "—Alexandra Fuller, author of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight "Absorbing, eloquent, and loving . . . While Robbins's tone is urgent, it doesn't compromise his crystal-clear science. . . . Even the smallest details here are fascinating."—Dominique Browning, The New York Times Book Review "The great poet W. S. Merwin once wrote, 'On the last day of the world I would want to plant a tree.' It's good to see, in this lovely volume, that some folks are getting a head start!"—Bill McKibben, author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet "Inspiring . . . Robbins lucidly summarizes the importance and value of trees to planet Earth and all humanity."—The Ecologist
" 'Imagine a world without trees,' writes journalist Jim Robbins. It's nearly impossible after reading The Man Who Planted Trees, in which Robbins weaves science and spirituality as he explores the bounty these plants offer the planet."—Audubon
I really enjoyed most of this book, learned some, enjoyed the stories of the tree research and cloning experiences. I'm a little uncomfortable with the spiritual experiences, but who knows... ( )
I love trees, a good near-death experience story, and mystery. Jim Robbins crafted a marvelous book that switches back and forth between the story of David Milarch, who was told after a near-death experience to save the world's champion trees (the instructions came from Beings of Light), the history and science of trees, and the surprisingly large amount we still don't know about them.
Along the way, we meet a fascinating cast of characters, made up of both people and trees. We're in dire straits due to climate change and deforestation, but fortunately, there are still things we can do. Robbins helps us understand the plight we are in, giving a sense of urgency to the task. But he also helps us see forests and trees as fellow beings that we can't afford to ignore. Through a combination of facts and stories, he invokes a sense of wonder and a sense of purpose in the reader.
David Milarch has an ambitious plan. He is on a mission to clone all of the champion trees of the world – the largest, healthiest trees that have proven to be resistant to disease caused by changes in climate.
His team has already surprised many experts by cloning some of the world’s oldest trees, including redwoods and sequoias. His goal is to help save the planet from the trouble caused in part by massive deforestation.
What is so unique about Milarch’s story is how he was inspired to start this project. After a near death experience, he claims that angels told him that he still had work to accomplish on Earth. Not long after, he was given details of his plan by an angel.
The author of this book, Jim Robbins, is a science journalist who writes for the New York Times. Robbins does an excellent job balancing the science of trees with the spiritual aspect. He has interviewed many experts and shares newer research into how trees communicate and filter our air and water. I have a new found respect for the intricacy of trees and how they support all life on earth. At the same time, he objectively covers both Milarch’s supernatural journey and the spiritual views of different cultures on trees.
What comes to my mind after reading this book is Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
David Milarch cares a whole awful lot. His story gives hope that each one of us can make a real difference. ( )
I found David Milarch's Champion Tree project an interesting concept, and like reading about how it transitioned from an archival project to an effort at improving the psychological and physical health of communities. By the end I felt the project was an absolutely worthwhile effort, although I think it's an extreme exaggeration to suggest it will save the planet. It's always nice to think about the positive changes that we can make by planting trees, but I feel this optimistic thinking often blinds us from the more important task of ending currently existing clearcutting practices, and KO'ing the industrial economy.
Going back to naming some positives, I appreciated the author's openmindedness around newer science and around events and abilities that many people would thoughtlessly reject as superstition. ( )
A nice book about one man's mission to clone the greatest tree of each speices. David Milarch is a bit different from most environmentalists, but his story is quite interesting. The book tells his story and also describes in good detail many of the types of trees he is trying to preserve. An overall good book with an important message summed up in the final chapter in a Chinese proverb, "When is the best time to plant a tree? twenty years ago. When is the second best time? today." ( )
A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees. --William Blake
Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven. --Rabindranath Tagore, Fireflies<, 1928
Dedication
First words
Preface
In 1933, my wife Chere and I bought fifteen acres of land on the outskirts of Helena, Montana.
Chapter 1 The first book titled The Man Who Planted Trees is a slim volume, just four thousand words; in fact, it was first published as a story in Vogue magazine in 1954.
Quotations
We need to come to an understanding and appreciation for trees and forests and the vital roles that they play, for they are among our best allies in the uncertain future that is unfolding.
Planting trees may be the single most important ecotechnology that we have to put the broken pieces of our planet back together.
Last words
It may not be the best time to plant a tree, but there is no better time.
The Man Who Planted Trees is the inspiring story of David Milarch's quest to clone the biggest trees on the planet in order to save our forests and ecosystem—as well as a hopeful lesson about how each of us has the ability to make a difference. "When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. The second best time? Today."—Chinese proverb
Twenty years ago, David Milarch, a northern Michigan nurseryman with a penchant for hard living, had a vision: angels came to tell him that the earth was in trouble. Its trees were dying, and without them, human life was in jeopardy. The solution, they told him, was to clone the champion trees of the world—the largest, the hardiest, the ones that had survived millennia and were most resilient to climate change—and create a kind of Noah's ark of tree genetics. Without knowing if the message had any basis in science, or why he'd been chosen for this task, Milarch began his mission of cloning the world's great trees. Many scientists and tree experts told him it couldn't be done, but, twenty years later, his team has successfully cloned some of the world's oldest trees—among them giant redwoods and sequoias. They have also grown seedlings from the oldest tree in the world, the bristlecone pine Methuselah.
When New York Times journalist Jim Robbins came upon Milarch's story, he was fascinated but had his doubts. Yet over several years, listening to Milarch and talking to scientists, he came to realize that there is so much we do not yet know about trees: how they die, how they communicate, the myriad crucial ways they filter water and air and otherwise support life on Earth. It became clear that as the planet changes, trees and forest are essential to assuring its survival. Praise for The Man Who Planted Trees
"This is a story of miracles and obsession and love and survival. Told with Jim Robbins's signature clarity and eye for telling detail, The Man Who Planted Trees is also the most hopeful book I've read in years. I kept thinking of the end of Saint Francis's wonderful prayer, 'And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.' "—Alexandra Fuller, author of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight "Absorbing, eloquent, and loving . . . While Robbins's tone is urgent, it doesn't compromise his crystal-clear science. . . . Even the smallest details here are fascinating."—Dominique Browning, The New York Times Book Review "The great poet W. S. Merwin once wrote, 'On the last day of the world I would want to plant a tree.' It's good to see, in this lovely volume, that some folks are getting a head start!"—Bill McKibben, author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet "Inspiring . . . Robbins lucidly summarizes the importance and value of trees to planet Earth and all humanity."—The Ecologist
" 'Imagine a world without trees,' writes journalist Jim Robbins. It's nearly impossible after reading The Man Who Planted Trees, in which Robbins weaves science and spirituality as he explores the bounty these plants offer the planet."—Audubon
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