An enjoyable and well formatted book with lots of good information. It's always neat to see different interpretations of the languages of trees and flowers and other living things. Really enjoyed!

This is a lovely, lovely book. Can I say that again? A lovely book.
I enjoyed leafing through the pages, with a feast of trees and shrubs and facts. There is only one illustration per tree, and not all have one in my e-ARC. So use a tree guide to identify a new tree. The pages are laid out by Latin names, which keeps the citrus together and birch together, etc. but doesn't follow families of trees otherwise.
The interesting part is where facts and folklore are presented together. It may be a fact that hawthorn was considered lucky for brides, and otherwise unlucky to pick, but saying that hawthorn is influenced by such an element or brings good fortune is folklore, and it's left to the reader to distinguish. The ash was the Yggdrasil tree of the Norse. Some trees have the location given, but some do not. I thought an indicator of general origin would be helpful on all.
A small icon above each tree indicates if it is toxic, edible (sometimes both) or what other uses are made of it. We also learn if the tree is long-lived.
I think it's charming to give the folk beliefs associated with the tree, because these might die out otherwise, and may be the reason the tree still survives.

I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

After seeing the title of this book, I was extremely excited to read it, but unfortunately, this book really fell flat for me. Based on the title, I was expecting to read an in-depth history of trees and explanations of humanity's spiritual connection to different trees throughout history. Instead, there were just a few words written about each tree's symbolism and brief bits about their related folklore. It really needs to contain more factual information, at least where each tree's native habitat can be found.

If you are looking for something a little different for your coffee table, The Complete Language of Trees will certainly do the job.
There are a wide variety of trees covered, organised alphabetically and a number of different reference indexes. For each tree, you get some practical information - the maximum height it will grow to, Latin and popular names etc. However, you'll also get some information that is a little more unique - the symbolism associated with the tree, as well as the folklore that is attached to it. I don't really buy into the "possible powers" sections for each tree but if I did, I might find that section a little too vague to be useful - exactly how do I use the African Pine Tree for immortality and enlightenment then?! I also wish there had been an illustration for each tree featured.
It's a bit of a unusual book - if you want to identify a tree or plan a garden renovation, it's not the book for you. However, I can see it being used as a great research tool for authors. For example, if you want to add layers to your plot using the symbolism and folklore of a particular tree in a fantasy novel, or information about poisons for your thriller. Despite it's flaws and not knowing entirely how I would use this book, I still want it on my shelf.

Thank you for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Complete Language of Trees - Pocket Edition by S. Theresa Dietz

Rating: 3 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the Pocket Edition of The Complete Language of Trees by S. Theresa Dietz, and I have to say, this book would make a delightful companion for anyone who shares a passion for nature and trees.

The book serves as a comprehensive encyclopedia that dives into the meanings, powers, and folklore associated with over 400 types of trees. Each entry is not only filled with detailed descriptions, including both scientific and common names, but also features beautiful illustrations that make it a treat for the eyes. I loved how Dietz has woven together history, mythology, and facts to create a rich tapestry of information that enhances our understanding of these magnificent beings.

What I found particularly intriguing is how Dietz encourages readers to develop a spiritual connection with trees. She suggests that by learning about a tree's significance and properties, we can improve our own mental and physical wellness. It's an inspiring notion that emphasizes the importance of nature in our lives, reminding us that there’s so much more to trees than just their physical presence.

What really stood out to me was the clever organization of the book. With two indexes—one for common names and another organized by meaning—it's incredibly user-friendly. This makes it easy for anyone, whether you're a gardener, an environmentalist, or just a curious nature lover, to find what they’re looking for quickly.

Now, I want to emphasize that my review specifically pertains to the pocket edition of this book. This version follows the same engaging format as Dietz's previous works in the "Complete Language of..." series, like The Complete Language of Herbs and The Complete Language of Flowers. It’s packed full of information and stunning illustrations that make it a useful tool to take along on any outdoor adventure. I can easily see myself flipping through its pages while sitting under a tree or hiking through a forest.

Overall, while I thoroughly enjoyed The Complete Language of Trees, I did feel that with so much information packed into a pocket-sized book, it can occasionally feel overwhelming. However, that doesn’t take away from its quality or usefulness. Thus, I’m giving it a solid three stars out of five. If you’re someone who cherishes nature or wants to deepen your understanding of trees, I highly recommend adding this beautifully crafted resource to your collection!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

It is a large informative encyclopedia on trees focusing on the different meanings of each tree such as possible powers and symbolic meanings as well as more, with both common and scientific names and illustrations for each entry.

The book is divided alphabetically but also includes an index at the back for those looking for a specific name or property, such as height or common meanings.

This book is great for people who like trees, nature and folklore and facts, it is a lengthy book and more of a reference guide than a solid sit-down read.

Just like the "Complete Language of Birds", this book was a joy to read. The artwork displayed was beautiful and the content educational. I love, that it is not limited to scientific facts such as toxicity or possible medicinal / culinary uses, but goes more into the symbolism associated with the various trees. Be their symbolic or colour meaninings or the trees corresponding folklore.
The only aspect I'd criticise is, that many of the small pictures of the trees were extremely pixilated. Before release I'd recommend to clean up those images, so that the quality of the whole book is on the same level.

Although there is a significant variety of trees covered in this book, it is hard to get a sense of its purpose. It is scarcely descriptive and so has little use as an aid to identification in the wild or as an occasional reference source. It has insufficient detail to prove an interesting study of various trees. And, although it is not entirely devoid of sprinklings of interest through some of the “Folklore and facts” sections, it lacks a hook or compelling reason to read the book from cover to cover.

In sum: occasional interesting nuggets of information, but this is a book in need of a reason to exist in its current form.

I'm honestly not really sure what the purpose of this book is. It's very limited and doesn't really provide much, it definitely could have been expanded on

The folklore idea piqued my interest and I tried to give this book a go. A little disappointing to see the quality of illustrations. Some trees don't have any either. In order to be useful to anyone, we should have some identifying characteristics of the trees mentioned in the book itself but there is none.

Symbolic meanings and powers could have really been improvised. Expanded into how people used them for the actual symbolic powers instead of just mentioning, "Fire element" and "dreams". They just seem like a bunch of nonsensical words. It just needed... more. The few mentions of the spiritual uses in folklore and facts were negligible.

Folklore and facts were okay. Very limited information on benefits or purpose of the trees mentioned so I'm not sure how this book could be used.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

This is a comprehensive resource and covers a rich range of trees, and facts and perspectives about them.
The design and illustrations 3
The scope 5
I was personally more interested in the scientific facts, folklore and meanings than other components.

"The Complete Language of Trees - Pocket Edition" by S. Theresa Dietz is a thorough encyclopedia detailing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore of over 400 types of trees. Perfectly sized for on-the-go reference, each entry includes the tree’s scientific and common name, characteristics, and historical properties. Readers can explore intriguing details, such as the Hackberry Tree's encouragement to do one's best and the Manchineel Tree's toxic dangers. This pocket edition beautifully continues the tradition of floriographies, offering a unique blend of botanical knowledge and spiritual connection with nature.