It is done
-Frodo Baggins, soon after casting the ring into the fires of Mt Doom
Well, I suppose that’s a bit dramatic, but dang it, it sure feels apt: I turned in my manuscript! Just under two weeks ago it was due, and I made the deadline with a classic cram week just before, and boy does it feel good.
It feels good to have a finished product to look at and wonder, 'Did I really do all that?’ 94,000 words covering 336 different species of tree in just about the same number of pages in my final Word document. Who knew I could talk so much about trees? (…said no one ever because we all know the real surprise is that the word count isn’t double that)
I can’t express how excited I am about this project, and how useful I think it will be. I know it’s natural for someone to think their work will be useful and interesting to others, but I’m convinced this truly will change the game. I am proud to say there’s nothing quite like it out there, certainly not focused on the Pacific Northwest, and certainly not as comprehensive.
For better or worse, I left no species uninspected. I learned multiple times (once in the 11th hour!) that what I’ve always known as a single species, is in fact two or three. I learned the differences between trees that before I simply lumped together, like lindens, elms, and cherries, and I did not simply copy their identifying traits from some other resource. Each tree is described and contrasted with those around it, and they’re ordered by similar traits. What makes each different and how can you tell? What’s the one thing that sets it apart and what should you look for? What trees grow where?
Which trees have corky bark? Which have blue fruit? Which one has yellow blooms in late spring? White ones in early summer? Pink in late winter? Which have twigs that cover the buds? Which have weird spikey balls that annoy the hell out of me and my neighbors? How many species of birch are there outside Anchorage and which one is sneaking into my yard? Are there two species of true cedars or are there four? I see this is a larch, but which one is it and how can I tell without being a botanical specialist? Is that black walnut a paradox or is it royalty?
Like I said, for better or worse, all the questions you didn’t know you had to ask, I’ve endeavored greatly to answer and distil into a cohesive, palatable, assessable guide, and it’s finally done. I think you’re going to like it.
But now I’m refocusing on old and new projects alike. We’re about to enter an exciting new phase of planning and brainstorming for Completely Arbortrary with the objective of putting together a few more live events before the year is out. I’m back to doing tree walks with several lined up this summer (see below). I am also able to get some home projects done that I’ve been putting off, like cleaning my cone jars (!) and learning to sharpen my knives. I am going to build some shelves and do yard work for my grandma, and I’m thinking about rebuilding the platform in the back of my truck to really gussy it up, so keep your eyes open for those non-tree posts.
I am also looking to start collaborating on a few new projects that I’m excited to have the opportunity to focus on. A new book opportunity right on the heels of this one has come our way, and I’m planning to pitch a few more ideas over the next year, including another art book that when I get it ready, you’ll wonder why it took me so long to do it. There’s about to be a flood of new things coming from ol’ Casey.
Anyway, I’ll wrap it up and end by letting you know of some cool stuff that you can seek out if you just can’t get enough.
Tree: Exploring the Arboreal World is a new book from Phaidon publishing that I worked on and it’s finally in pre-order! This is a beautiful book of art relating to trees that spans the continents and time, and I was so thrilled to be asked to work on it. I helped choose and review the art and wrote several of the blurbs for different entries, and I simply can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Go pre-order Tree: Exploring the Arboreal World today and tell them Casey sent you.
Under the Ancient Yew is a multi-media magazine exploring the folklore, anthropology, and ecology of trees, and I was pleased to be invited to contribute a piece. It’s up for pre-order now, as well, so go grab a copy. It’s filled with art, poetry, prose, and lore, and will be a fabulous addition to your catalog.
Tree Walks are back in full swing! I’ve got several great walks lined up this summer, from Lonesome Trees and Unique Broadleaf Trees at Hoyt Arboretum, to casual walks around town with a happy hour option to follow, there’s bound to be a tree walk for everyone this summer. Walks at Hoyt frequently sell out, so sign up for those quick.
I am also planning a few great tree identification walks that will focus on how to identify certain trees (say, common conifers, or the common maples, things like that). These should be great fun, and I’m always taking requests, so if there’s a walk that you just would love to see, lemme know.
Check out my website’s Goings On page for more.
Now that you’ve made it this far, here are some tree photos for your pleasure.
Hi Casey! You have the Unique Broadleaf tour listed as 3-5pm on August 17th, but Hoyt has it listed as 5:30-7:30pm. Can you tell me which is correct? Thanks!