Eyewitness Trees form one of the most impressive and beautiful parts of the natural landscape, reflecting the changing seasons in their growth. Yet because of their height, many parts of these giants of the plant world are rarely seen in close-up. This dazzling collection of specially commissioned photographs reveals all the beauty and variety of tree leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, and bark.Starting with a look at the different parts of a tree, and examining the characteristics of broadleafed, coniferous and tropical trees, Tree goes on to explore how trees grow, how they develop, what animals, insects and plants live on and beneath them, why trees die, and how they are cut for timber. This book provides a compelling introduction to the life of a tree as it develops from a tiny seed into a mature specimen.Produced in association with the Natural History Museum, London, Tree is an exceptionally beautiful and informative visual guide to the natural history of trees from around the world.- Here is an original and exciting new look at the fascinating world of trees- Stunning, real-life photographs of bark, leaves, flowers, cones and seedlings offer a unique "eyewitness" view of trees, from their leafy boughs to their roots beneath the soil- See a seed grow into a sapling; the tiny insects that live in the rotting leaves on the forest floor; the changing colours of autumn leaves; exotic seeds and nuts from the tropics; buds bursting into leaf- Learn why deciduous tress lose their leaves in autumn; how a tree breathes; how to identify trees in winter; how squirrels help seeds to germinate; how acid rain can kill whole forests; how bark defends trees from attack by animals- Discover why coniferous tress produce cones; how the wind pollinates catkins; how rubber is tapped from tree trunks; why leaves are different shapes