Inside the pages of If Trees Could Talk, Allison gives readers aged 7 to 12 fascinating stories that introduce them to noteworthy trees, both past and present, across Wisconsin. From Kenosha's buried forest on the shores of Lake Michigan to the Wyalusing maple that saw the last of the passenger pigeons; from Aldo Leopold's "good oak" to the disappeared elms of State Street in Madison, these stories open up a fascinating ecological and social history of Wisconsin to young readers. Other stories showcase the state's history: readers will encounter Chief Black Hawk hiding in a hickory, Civil War soldiers enlisting for battle under "sign-up" trees, and trees used to hang criminals without a trial. They will also learn of large and unusual trees like the Columbus Cottonwood, which was over 26 feet around or, in the words of the author, so large that "it would take you and eight of your friends with your arms outstretched to reach all the way around it!"

 

Told in a compelling narrative style and supplemented with historic photographs and illustrations, these stories instill a sense of place and understanding of the rich heritage of our trees and forests. The book also carries an environmental message encouraging children to appreciate and manage natural resources wisely and respectfully. The highly accessible format includes a map of historic trees locations, a glossary of tree terms, a tree identification chart, and a list of suggested books and websites for further reading.

R. Bruce Allison is an arborist in Madison, Wisconsin. He holds a masters of science in forestry and a PhD in land resources from the Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison. He has served as the president of the Wisconsin Arborist Association and as chairman of the Dane County Tree Board and Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council. Allison is the author of several books and articles about trees, the most recent being a revision of Wisconsin's Champion Trees: A Tree Hunter's Guide and Every Root an Anchor: Wisconsin's Famous and Historic Trees. This is his first book for children.

"Trees are living things, and some trees are far older than many humans could ever dream of being. If Trees Could Talk tells the story of these elders of nature, in particular several that have made their own impact on the world and society. Trees that gain second chances, iconic city trees, trees that mark history, and more, all are discussed within. For any nature or arboreal lover, If Trees Could Talk is a fine piece of nature reading for young adults and adults alike." (James A. Cox, editor-in-chief, and Diane C. Donovan, editor, The Midwest Book Review)

2009 Bronze in the Environmental Issues Category from Moonbeam Children's Book Awards
2009 Finalist in the Juvenile Non-fiction Category from ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Award
2010 Finalist in the Children's Non-fiction Category from USA National Best Book Awards
2010 Winner in the Child/Young Adult Non-fiction Category from Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Awards