Nature Spirits of the Trees

A very unusual book, the fruit of Verena's ability to communicate with nature spirits and to translate their elemental language into human terms. The format is one of dialogue with the spirits of different kinds of tree. If this sounds outlandish, the results are coherent and timely, adding a different voice to concerns over environmental degradation. Trees are highly rhythmical, and the book makes clear that we have disturbed many of their rhythms and therefore compromised their immune systems, rendering them more susceptible to disease. Chestnut trees communicate exactly this point, claiming that they can no longer defend themselves against the chestnut leaf miner - this is apparent in some of our own horse chestnut trees, two of which have died in the last two years. The text indicates that it is good for these trees if there are people who feel responsible for them, as this 'helps them to stay rhythmic.' Sweet cherry trees state that they are unable to ripen sufficiently with wet springs and excessively dry summers 'so we cannot form fruits properly any more and creatures don't enjoy eating us so much.' A curious but rather disturbing thought as one thinks of the lusciousness of the cherry. One of my high points (literally) was a memorable, even timeless afternoon I spent in France in July 1970 picking and eating cherries right up in a tree.