If Trees Could Speak

“The ancient, the young,

those teetering on the brink of death,
the tallest, the endangered -

they all have stories they could tell.”

The subtitle of this book is, “Stories of Australia’s Greatest Trees”, and this repository of knowledge about our most significant trees is a true gem. It was written by Bob Beale, a science and environment journalist with an impressive list of awards and credits attached to his name. Bob takes us on a journey across this beautiful continent, finding trees that act as memorials to significant events, or ones that are noteworthy for their own accomplishments in size or age.

Some trees are revered simply because they provided shelter and building materials for the earliest European settlers, while others inspired poets and artists, but all are indelibly linked to our heritage. Some of the historical trees that are mentioned in this book include The Tree of Knowledge (political site, Barcaldine, Qld), The Old Gum Tree (Proclamation site, Glenelg, SA), and The Dig Tree (Burke and Wills expedition, Qld). The world’s oldest, the tallest, the widest - descriptions and locations of these record holders are also lovingly detailed and photographed in this book.

Bob Beale’s environmentalist background reveals itself throughout this book, and is particularly evident in passages such as, “We should be more conscious that chainsaws, bulldozers and herbicides have given us a greater life-and-death power over our trees than at any previous time in history. They can do without us; we cannot live without them.”

His scientific nature is shown in the chapter on the Wollemi pine, where he gleefully recounts the tale behind the 1994 discovery of this species of conifer, which was thought to have become extinct millions of years ago. His infectious enthusiasm runs even more rampant when describing King’s Holly in Tasmania, the world’s oldest living tree, which is at least 43,000 years old! Some scientists suggest that it may even be 130,000 years of age, which means that it has survived the last ice age, and countless floods, fires and droughts.

The spiritual aspect of trees is also referenced in many chapters. This includes aboriginal lore that sees trees as heroes, demons, or watchful spirit figures. Aboriginal myths about the origins of certain trees are also told. In one chapter, trees that marked initiation sites are noted for their carvings of animal totems, the sun and the moon. Other trees are seen as pathways that were used by the sky-heroes to visit Earth during cultural ceremonies. Unlike many writers and anthropologists, Bob Beale observes this with reverence, emphasising the sacredness of such rites.

The relatively modern times of the 1800s have also seen some magical customs associated with Australian trees. In Sydney there was a Wishing Tree, at which young ladies were “performing certain rites to summon up the mystical spirits” that dwelt in the tree. Girls made a wish and circled around it “three times forwards then three times backwards.” At this site, there is now a statue of a female figure, which bears a plaque that reads, “I wish”, and visitors still place flowers there.

In the 1930s, in Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens, a tree was given special status as a Fairy Tree. In the stump of a tree, artist Ola Cohn carved and painted an assortment of native animals, surrounded by fey folk. Among the sculpted bats, kookaburras, lizards, spiders and kangaroos, are various fairies, pixies and elves. A hollowed area in the trunk has been filled with gifts of flowers. Letters to the fairies have also been left there by kids (big and small) detailing their wishes. Cohn said that this tree was, “for the fairies and those who believe in them, for they will understand how necessary it is to have a fairy sanctuary - a place that is sacred and safe...”

If you have an affinity for majestic trees, and a liking for quirky details, you’ll love this book. It’s exceptionally well-researched, skilfully written, and beautifully presented. It’s a pity that a better quality paper wasn’t used though. The photographs would have been stunning if they had been reproduced faithfully on glossy paper. As it is, this is well laid out and has a nicely designed feel to it, making it a lovely reference book, but it could easily have been a glorious coffee table book that you would have been proud to leave on display.

This is a brilliant book that links Australian trees to our history and spirituality. It will definitely change the way that you look at the trees in your own neighbourhood. If trees could speak, they’d say “Thank you Bob Beale, for listening to us, and for telling our stories.”

Author: Bob Beale
Published by: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781741142761
Size: 19 x 25 cm, 245 pages
Price: AUD $39.95