Arboretum Borealis: A Lifeline of the Planet

"A literary work with a life all its own, and without exaggeration, it is a masterpiece. . . . Far from being a simple narrative, the book discusses the incredible contribution each tree makes to the planet, where and how to plant them, and what environment they are most complementary to."
—-Monika Carless, EcoFarm & Garden

"In prose as rich as the forest itself, Diana Beresford-Kroeger sees trees for all their attributes—-as providers of clean air, clean water, food, shelter, and beauty—-and places them squarely at the center of a complex web of nature that is crucial to all species including man."
—-Roger C. Dower, President, Forest Stewardship Council–United States

Nothing on earth compares to the Boreal forest to maintain life on this planet. The vast primeval forest stretches across the northern regions of the world, from northern Canada and Alaska to northern Europe, Russia, China, and Japan. Boreal species can be found in cooler temperate climates everywhere, including Michigan and other cool areas of the United States, and some outliers are even found in the tropics. The circumpolar runoff from the Boreal enriches the seas with nutrients in the spring. The evergreens of the Boreal act as a passive ground coolant. And the needles of the evergreens and the trichomal hairs of the deciduous trees comb the air free of harmful minute particulate pollution.

Arboretum Borealis does for the northern forests of the world what Arboretum America did for the forests of North America. Diana Beresford-Kroeger further describes how each Boreal tree group relates to its natural environment and how these specific trees can be used to promote health or to counteract the effects of pollution and global warming.

Arboretum Borealis reveals the fascinating history of these trees in Native American culture, including their medicinal uses. Finally, Beresford-Kroeger offers practical design ideas and tips—-where to plant these trees, what season they look best in, and what native plants complement them.

Diana Beresford-Kroeger is a botanist; medical and agricultural researcher; lecturer; and self-defined "renegade scientist" in the fields of classical botany, medical biochemistry, organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. She is the author of Arboretum America and lives in Ontario, Canada.

Cover image by Christian H. Kroeger