Being an Oak

The international bestseller The enchanting biography of an ancient tree. For more than two centuries, as rulers have risen and fallen and wars have raged, one majestic oak has quietly lived out an extraordinary life. From its germination in 1780 to its adaptation to a changing climate, its story has unfolded far from human eyes--until the day a young man named Laurent Tillon discovered it and formed a lifelong bond. In this captivating work, biodiversity expert Laurent Tillon tells the story of the tree he calls Quercus. With lyrical insight, he reveals the intricate web of life surrounding it--from symbiotic relationships between plants and animals to hidden struggles among insects, birds, and fungi. A work of ecology unlike any other, Being an Oak invites readers to see the world through the eyes of a tree--and to rediscover the wonder of the living connections that sustain our planet. Translated by award-winning translator Jessica Moore. Praise for Being an Oak: "A wonderful book." --Tristan Gooley, author of How to Read a Tree "Unique and thrilling." --Ben Rawlance, author of The Treeline "A celebration of the oak as nature's masterpiece." --Daniel Lewis, author of Twelve Trees "A glorious, revelatory tale of a tree that enlarges our world." --Patrick Barkham, author of The Butterfly Isles