Thursday, May 31, 2007

The Wild Trees

Thanks for all the anniversary wishes folks! We had a great trip, and we're glad to be back. I have tales and photos to share, hopefully later today.

I'm just popping in to tell you about a book I'm reading, called "The Wild Trees" by Richard Preston. It's about the crazy ecosystems that exist in the canopies of redwood forests, and about the even crazier people who climb these trees and wander around hundreds of feet above the ground. I saw the author on both The Daily Show and the Colbert Report, then I saw the copy come into our library.

Anyway, it's a very compelling read. AND, it turns out these crazy tree climber / scientists are also Tolkien Dorks. One of the tallest trees they've discovered so far they named Laurelin, and the section I'm about to start reading is called "The Fall of Telperion." Go Tolkien Dorks!

2 comments:

Goodyear said...

There are even places where us semi-normal folks, at least those not afraid of hights, can be hauled up and spend the night in the upper canopies. There is one here in Oregon, and a couple down in Amazonia. But a hammock at 200 feet up isn't for me; maybe in my misspent youth, but not now, thank you.

M. D. Vaden of Oregon said...

If you ever get around to reading The Wild Trees again (I've heard of people reading it thrice), this redwood page may come in handy.

Largest Coast Redwood Trees

Some tree names should sound familiar.

Cheers,

MDV
Oregon