Planter un arbre. Ernst Zürcher. Illustrated by Caroline Attia

14 × 19 cm 64 pages 12 color illustrations softback october 2021 retail price: 10 €

A forestry manager, doctor of natural science, and professor and researcher in woodland management at several Swiss universities, Ernst Zürcher is a specialist in the timing processes of trees (chronobiology). He is the author of numerous scientific articles and the very well-received Les Arbres, entre visible et invisible (Actes Sud, 2016).

A renowned illustrator and animator, Caroline Attia has illustrated over 25 books for young children since 2017 and created numerous animations since 2005 for both the French and English-speaking worlds. Planter un arbre is her first collaboration with Actes Sud.

PLANTING A TREE

Ernst Zürcher Illustrations by Caroline Attia

In these times of climate change and erosion of biodiversity where we are increasingly aware of our deconnection from the natural world, there is a simple means of re-establishing our bond with the rest of the living world around us: planting a tree, or indeed many trees to nurture a forest. This ostensibly simple action can bring numerous benefits at virtually no cost: constraining temperature rises, counteracting the artificial treatment of soil and the degradation of biodiversity, and creating a bond with a nature that is indispensable to our physical and mental health. Ernst Zürcher, a celebrated Swiss forestry manager, encourages us to put trees back where they belong at the centre of our lives. Planting a tree is not just about the act itself – it is a long-term emotional commitment that can ultimately bring about a subtle revolution in our lives. The author accompanies us each step of the way and teaches us in a simple, direct and inspirational way how to look after ourselves by looking after the Earth, from our initial choice of seeds to taking care of the tree as it grows. We learn the workings of a tree as a living organism and, better still, we come to realise how the association of several trees can give birth to a super-organism rich in species, ecological functions and incalculable benefits: namely, a forest. And by following the example of Ernst Zürcher, we can all follow in the footsteps of Elzéard Bouffier, the hero of Jean Giono’s globally successful short story L’Homme qui plantait des arbres. Life can once again become abundant…