Every tree tells a story. From the mighty Kauri in New Zealand to the Japanese Lacquer tree, whose sap was used by a sect of monks to mummify themselves. Trees are important to almost every aspect of human life. We build our homes with them.
We explored the world in ships crafted from wood. Jonathan Drori is a longtime BBC producer and trustee of the Eden Project, a British eco-tourism site. He explores our relationship with trees in a new book called Around the World in 80 Trees.
Jonathan Drori Photo: supplied
We asked listeners to send in stories about their favourite trees - here are just few of them:
When I was 10 we moved up from Waiheke Island to live with my granny who lived in waterview in her back yard along with lots of fruit trees was a huge, beautiful oak tree which my father had planted as a boy I used to climb up as far as I could and I could just see the sea in the distance, it wasn't much of a 'water view' compared to our view on Waiheke but it was a lovely place to be. My gran died when I was 20 and her house sold, and they cross leased the section and leveled all the trees including the oak tree which I will never forget.
The pear tree in my grandfathers garden. Huge to an under 10yr old but accessible delish fruit. Granddad was scary though!
The last ancient cabbage tree on Dicksons Hill on the Otago Peninsula. It keeps me company during long, lonely vigils whilst waiting for the Aurora Australis to appear.
The Blue Diamond Plum tree in our backyard in ChCh in the 50s. Plums as big as eggs.
I'm sure many listeners who studied in Wellington share a fondness for a particular tree in the Botanical Gardens near the top of the Cable Car. Colloquially known as "The Trippy Tree" it is truly a magnificent example of topiary and enormous. We used to climb it and recline in it's dense growth with the best view in the city...although last time I saw it it looked slightly worse for wear - presumably because of this exact practice!
Persimmon trees are not supposed to grow in Christchurch but I had to try, our tree now over 10 years, leaves turn wonderful colours in autumn from gold to deep burgundy and we compete with the silvereyes who squabble for the sweet fruit. It is my favourite tree in our garden.
Last summer I visited the world's largest northern rātā - the Karapoti Rātā in Akatarawa Forest north of Wellington, and largest tōtara - Poakani in the Waikato. Their physical stature is impressive but their age is mind-blowing! These are trees who lived half their lives before seeing a human, with huia feeding from their branches and moa browsing below.
For me it's Kowhai, every house I've lived in I've planted many Kowhai. Unfortunately I've moved several times before I was able to see the trees at their best. I've done it again in this house & probably will in the next. My second is a Vanilla Tree, which will always remind me of my mother.
The Pohutakawa on top of the sandhills at Oreti Beach Waihau Bay East Cape. Every Christmas we worried if we would be first to arrive & be able to camp in the best spot in the bay. My dad would make pretend saddles on its huge drooping brakes & my sisters & I would pretend to ride horses. As a child it's ancient bark was a wonder & nearly 60 years later I am still in wonder.
