Venerable Trees: History, Biology, and Conservation in the Bluegrass

When the first settlers arrived in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, they found an astonishing landscape of open woodland grazed by vast herds of bison. Farmers quickly replaced the bison with cattle, sheep, and horses, but left many of the trees to shade their pastures. Today, central Kentucky and central Tennessee still boast one of the largest populations of presettlement trees in the nation, found in both rural and urban areas. In Venerable Trees: History, Biology, and Conservation in the Bluegrass, Tom Kimmerer showcases the beauty, age, size, and splendor of these ancient trees and the remaining woodland pastures. Documenting the distinctive settlement history that allowed for their preservation, Kimmerer explains the biology of Bluegrass trees and explores the reasons why they are now in danger. He also reveals the dedication and creativity of those fighting to conserve these remarkable three-hundred- to five-hundred-year-old plants -- from innovative, conscientious developers who build around them rather than clearing the land to farmers who use lightning rods to protect them from natural disasters. Featuring more than one hundred color photographs, this beautifully illustrated book offers guidelines for conserving ancient trees worldwide while educating readers about their life cycle. Venerable Trees is an informative call to understand the challenges faced by the companions so deeply rooted in the region's heritage and a passionate plea for their preservation.

About the Author :
Tom Kimmerer is chief scientist at Venerable Trees, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of woodland pastures and ancient trees in the Bluegrass. Trained as a tree physiologist and forest scientist, he has been a researcher and teacher in the United States, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Review :
" Venerable Trees: History, Biology and Conservation in the Bluegrass by Tom Kimmerer tells the story of the ancient trees -- the chinkapins, bur oaks and blue ashes -- that dot Kentucky landscapes. Kimmerer...has meticulously researched and photographed the giants that have somehow survived in both rural and urban settings." -- Louisville Courier-Journal "Kimmerer does a fabulous job of presenting complex matters in simple, readable prose. The stories of particular trees both in the Inner Bluegrass Basin and in the Nashville Basin are told alongside an understanding of how different species of trees reproduce, how that reproduction is aided by the natural environment, and with an emphasis on the importance of these significant natural monuments. All with a good collection of both black and white and color photographs. Venerable Trees is highly recommended for the arborist, the history buff, the preservationist, and those who love Kentucky's natural beauty." -- Kaintuckeean "From the intricate descriptions of large grassy areas ringed by venerable trees to examples of dedication of enthusiastic preservationists of Bluegrass Kentucky, we learn of efforts to venerate, to protect, and to replenish the tree canopy of the Bluegrass. Providing us with more than 100 color photographs and the use of historical documents, this book is a critical volume for public and university libraries." -- The Southeastern Librarian "With Venerable Trees: History, Biology, and Conservation in the Bluegrass, Tom Kimmerer takes us on a remarkable journey that is at once cultural and personal, wide-ranging and intimate, challenging and inspirational." -- Plant Science Bulletin "While deeply grounded in science, this book is written with a general audience in mind. It is easy to understand and filled with interesting information and stories, plus useful maps, illustrations and dozens of Kimmerer's beautiful photographs of the trees.... Venerable Trees will likely become a classic among books about Kentucky's natural history and environment, because it covers so much new information in such an accessible way.... [T]his book will give you a greater appreciation of Kentucky's oldest living residents." -- Lexington Herald-Leader " Venerable Trees will fill a valuable niche as Lexington and the surrounding region make decisions about the future of our urban forest. I don't know of another book like it." -- Andy Mead, reporter at the Lexington Herald-Leader for 34 years "[Kimmerer's] respect for [the trees] and the need to take care of them is almost religious. Even if you are not a tree hugger, you will be glad if you own and read this book." -- Voice-Tribune "Kimmerer's use of historical documents helps the reader to see the significant changes that have occurred since the advent of European descendants into Central Kentucky. His work calls attention to the significance of these trees and the need for greater sensitivity in preserving them." -- John Tierney, retired naturalist for the Kentucky State Parks "The venerable trees that Kimmerer describes are vital to the history, landscape, and ecosystem of both the Kentucky Bluegrass and Nashville Basin regions. In addition to exploring their history and biology, Kimmerer also suggests ways to protect the magnificent trees, including detailed guidelines to aid in managing them and proven strategies to promote their growth and natural regeneration. The Bluegrass boasts a unique and picturesque landscape found nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere. Without these venerable trees, the very face of the region would be irrevocably altered." -- Broadway World "This beautifully illustrated book offers guidelines for conserving ancient trees worldwide while educating readers about their life cycle. [It] is an informative call to understand the challenges faced by the companions so deeply rooted in the region's heritage and a passionate plea for their preservation." -- Greater Louisville Sierra Club "This is a fascinating book about a unique landscape in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. Trees with stout stems and enormous crowns create scenic woodland pastures grazed by horses and cattle. This book examines the origin and management of this landscape. What part was played by the huge herds of bison that roamed and grazed there before Europeans settled the Bluegrass? After settlement, the bison vanished, along with their favored foods, giant cane and native grasses, but the trees remain. Fire was not the architect of this landscape. The striking similarity of the Bluegrass woodland pastures to those of Europe suggests that both habitats were created by large grazing animals. Experience with the European woodland pastures may help answer the questions raised in this wonderful book." -- Frans Vera, author of Grazing Ecology and Forest History