"Doug Tallamy has established himself as one of the conservation movement's most respected and important advocates, showing us how we can make a difference in the future of the planet and all its inhabitants from our own backyards. In 'The Nature of Oaks,' Tallamy pays homage to a giant of the plant kingdom--the mighty oak tree. Oaks sustain a crucial and complex web of wildlife above ground but are just as impressive inderground, producing enormous root systems that make them champions of carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, and watershed management. The cyclical seasons of life, death, and reveal are highlighted here to beautifully frame the unique interaction between the trees and the life forms that depend on them. Tallamy's signature how-to advice includes practical tips on how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area. Whether you have or want oaks in your yard, or just appreciate their irreplaceable role in the health of our environment, this fascinating book will ensure you never look at a 'common' oak tree the same way ever again." --

"From 'New York Times' best-selling auther Doug Tallamy, a revealing look at one of the most essential members of the plant kingdom. Oaks support more life forms and interactions than any other tree genus in North America, sustaining everything from acorn-collection woodpeckers to caterpillars that dazzle like jewels. Tallamy uncovers the busy hub of life in an oak tree trough the seasons, and once again turns the nature that surrounds us into a source of wonder and discovery." --