Wild Trees Final Book Review

There lies a secret garden hidden within the uncharted rain forest valleys of Northern California. Far away from the threats of civilization an ecosystem blooms. Filled with hanging ferns, mosses, lichens and various small critters a small paradise is complete within the canopy of the redwood trees. The ancient redwoods are the largest and tallest organisms in the world. And they can reach the height of 379.1 feet and live for thousands of years.

The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston is a book about the wonders that come with climbing the giants redwoods of California. Preston takes you through a journey through the eyes of Steve Sillett, Marie Antoine, and the tiny group of botanists and amateur naturalists. These characters take on the challenge of exploring, mapping and are essentially on a quest to find the tallest tree on Earth.

Richard Preston introduces his characters in a fishtail manner. Where every chapter is a different character with no connection to the last but as the story progress all the characters intertwine together. At the beginning the story does not makes sense due to the rapid change of stories but as the story develops so does the character development. Another great thing Preston does in his writing is simulating the same feelings within his reader.

            During the time Richard Preston was writing Wild Trees he was mastering the art of climbing the massive giants. Preston has visited and climbed the giant redwoods of California. By doing this Preston is able to give a surreal account of what it is like to be surround by 300 feet tall trees. Along with the mental state of climbers making their way to the canopy. Richard Preston is able to talk about the mechanics of climbing a redwood along with the thoughts that come when you make a mistake at that height. He is able to create a sense of enlightenment, falling and joyfulness though his writings. Preston is able to talk about the personal details of each character's life.

            The story of Steve Sillet is a story of adventure. Steve Sillet along with his brother ventures to the canopy of a redwood and finds a new ecosystem hidden in the crown of the tree. Within the crown lie ferns, mosses, lichens and animals not seen on the ground. Wild Trees is not just a story of Steve Sillet but also a story of his findings. Steve Sillet along with his group of botanist has named and classified each tree in a section of Northern California. Within that one patch of trees Richard Preston talks about the variety of plants and animals. For example, hidden in the upper canopy lives a salamander that does not have lungs or gills. The only way that salamander can live is by absorbing water through the pores on its back. A creature like this would never be able to survive on the floor of a forest.

            Richard Preston has also talks about the personal life of every character. Preston’s in depth interview with every character has allowed him to build a story filled with emotion. Preston has included the personal account and life of every character. He is able to go through each character's life chronologically, talking about their achievements and failures. For example, Marie Antoine is a young child climbing the trees near her house, but as the story develops she gets married and lives a life mapping the redwoods.

Wild Trees is an expertly crafted story about the mysteries of the redwood forest. If you love nature and the hidden beauty of an unknown world you will not be disappointed with the book. Wild Trees shows the progression of what the public thinks of redwoods. At one point the redwoods of Northern California was being cut down into extinction but through the efforts of countless people 5% of the worlds redwoods are being preserved in a small state park.