Heartwood: The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit
by Rowan Reid
Publisher: Melbourne Books. Heavy-duty hardcover (over 1kg), 300 pages, colour throughout, 300 colour photos and figures. 180 x 225mm, $49.95.
The 15 chapters focus on different species that Rowan grows on his Bambra Agroforestry Farm. These include the local Australian Blackwood and Mountain Ash, low rainfall native timber species like Red Ironbark and Spotted Gum, sub-tropical natives such as Sydney Blue Gum, Silky Oak, River Sheoak and Australian Red Cedar, and exotics including Coast Redwood, Black Walnut, English Oak and Poplar.
Rowan uses these species to explore the fundamentals of tree growing and timber production making the book relevant to farmers, foresters and conservationists around the world. Examples from Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Europe, North America and SE Asia demonstrate how growing and cutting a tree for timber can be an act of conservation.
Naturally, the book covers the technical aspects of tree planting, pruning and thinning, harvesting and timber processing and the science behind tree growth and wood quality. But, Rowan also reflects on the what it means to be a tree grower and how governments, industry and farmer groups can encourage landholders to plant and manage trees for both conservation and profit.
Get a signed copy from the author: LINK
International buyers:
About the Author:
Most importantly, Rowan is also a farmer and tree grower in his own right, with a family farm in the Otway Ranges of southern Victoria where he helped establish one of Australia's most successful Landcare groups, the Otway Agroforestry Network. More than 10,000 visitors have toured his Bambra Agroforestry Farm, which is set up as a 42-hectare outdoor classroom for farmers, scientists, students and tree lovers, and a living laboratory for his own learning.
Sample Pages:
Praise for Heartwood from readers:
I couldn't believe what I was reading when I first opened your wonderful book. Your book is inspirational. It is so well written and easy to read” (retired carpenter, timber lover and surfer, Qld.
I am half way through the third chapter and enjoying the read enormously. I think your mix of valuable and practical technical information and personal life stories and experiences makes the book a wonderful text.
I'm loving Heartwood - very inspiring and a beautiful example of book production. We have planted 1000s of trees over the years for shade, shelter and now firewood but never for timber, so this might be the boost I need.
Well done on a monument to trees, farms and timber.
I think the book is very good. I'm 2/3 of the way through and enjoying every chapter. It will be a reference book for the future.
I love the book. Such a nice experience to sit in front of the fire with it!
The book is excellent, thank you. Its great getting a personal and philosophical perspective on tree growing, revegetation and landscape repair and enhancement combined with your wealth of experience in the more technical aspects of tree growing and species selection and uses.
I do genuinely enjoy the read!
I am more than half way through - and very impressed with content thus far. It's clearly more of a personal story for you vs a technical manual which is great and makes the read that much more engaging. I feel like I know you already ;)
The book arrived only on Friday, and I LOVE it!
I am up to page 175 and learned a lot and enjoyed the life stories
Loving the book, its beautiful, accessible and embracing of my nascent desire to grow trees in the ways you're describing.
Well done on a book that is hard to put down. ("But, well worth the effort!", Rowan)
There is a great mix of philosophy and family involvement which is the interesting stuff for me. There is also enough tech stuff to keep the pure Foresters happy.
Love its layout. Bit size chapters with hidden knowledge.
Inspirational and I am going to dedicate much of farm and crop production to include trees. For logs and future beauty or leave cut decision to my child.
I was so impressed
Your book is amazing. A perfect mix of enthusiasm and science. Your authenticity shines through while sharing your knowledge in a very accessible way. You should be proud of your efforts. A true accomplishment.
It is a fantastic book! - beautiful to look at and a really nice feel to it.
I love this beautifully written book about life, love, family... and trees of course.
Book is excellent. Haven't been able to put it down yet.
I read it in one sitting yesterday and absolutely loved it. Your book really helped me picture the journey I may take and brings my imagination to life when I look at photos on Domain etc.
Get a signed copy from the author: LINK