There’s so much more to trees than meets the eye, and much that is special to us about them lies where science, culture and folklore meet. From their sofa, Tracy Chevalier and Jonathan Drori explore the world of trees together through their different lenses and read a little from their work. How does a novelist capture trees’ essence and use them as observers and characters in her stories? And how can non-fiction create a meaningful emotional, as well as intellectual link to these amazing organisms. Our relationships with trees range from sacred to profane, and from practical to downright bizarre. But what can their secret lives tell us about the wider world and our place in it? Jon and Tracy would be delighted to (try to!) answer questions towards the end of this session.

About Tracy and Jonathan

Tracy Chevalier FRSL is the author of ten novels, including Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has been translated into 43 languages, sold over 5 million copies worldwide, and made into a film. Several of her books prominently feature trees and for the Woodland Trust she edited Why Willows Weep, a collection of fables about the UK’s native trees, written by some of our most loved authors. Tracy grew up in Washington DC and in 1984 moved to London, where she lives with her husband, Jonathan Drori.

Jonathan Drori CBE is author of Around the World in 80 Trees, an acclaimed and much-loved bestseller, now in 14 languages. He is Trustee of The Eden Project and Cambridge University Botanic Garden and an Ambassador for the WWF. He spent nine years as Trustee of the Woodland Trust and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and was previously, among many other things a documentary film-maker with the BBC.