Tree: Exploring the Arboreal World is a gorgeous showstopper of a book celebrating the humble tree in its many forms. More than 300 images of tree-inspired art grace the pages of this oversized coffee-table tome. These full-color images showcase an astonishing range, including tapestries, Aboriginal taphoglyphs, and National Park Service posters. Each is buttressed by a few paragraphs of text explaining and contextualizing the image. For instance, artist Shota Suzuki's sculpture Heaven and Earth is described as "a reflection on the Japanese concept of Mono no aware, or the transitory nature of life." Process is also detailed for many of the included pieces; with a photograph of a Tiffany laburnum table lamp, readers will learn that Louis Comfort Tiffany, along with Englishman Arthur Nash, "developed a technique whereby he blended different colours of pigment together while the glass was still molten." An intro by horticulturalist Tony Kirkham, plus an overall timeline of trees (starting 470 million years ago!), glossary, artist bios and suggested further reading all deepen the enjoyability of the book. --Nina Semczuk, writer, editor, and illustrator