Tree Glee by Cheryl Rickman

Welcome to Halfman, Halfbook for my stop on the Blog Tour for Tree Glee by Cheryl Rickman and published by Welbeck.

About the Book

Written by Positive Psychology practitioner and long-time tree-lover Cheryl Rickman, Tree Glee explores how trees can become an essential tool in our wellbeing toolkit, helping us to feel better in a variety of different and fascinating ways.

Looking at the psychology behind our fascination with trees, and the science behind how they comfort, restore and revitalise us, Tree Glee examines what we can learn from the wisdom of woodlands to improve our own wellness. Alongside this, Cheryl explores the importance of trees in our leafy suburbs and urban landscapes, sharing magical stories of remarkable ancient trees across the globe and invites readers to reflect on their own personal ‘treestory’.

Featuring captivating photos and chapters on forest bathing and nature therapy, woodland wellbeing and tree mythology, creative activities and conservation initiatives, Tree Glee is part ode and love letter to trees, part practical wellbeing guide and nature-connection manual and part call to action. The book explores how by deepening our appreciation and connection to trees and by celebrating and protecting them, we can flourish together.

About the Author

Cheryl Rickman is a proud tree-hugger and advocate for the power of nature as a healer and energy-giver. She is also a Sunday Times best-selling author and a qualified positive psychology practitioner. Cheryl specializes in writing empowering, practical books to help people fret less and flourish more and is a well-being ambassador for the Network of Wellbeing. She owns a small parcel of ancient woodland in the Hampshire countryside with her partner.

My Review

There are two places that I know I will always find relaxing, being alongside water and in the middle of a woodland. I don’t know exactly why that is, it may be that the sound of water and the susurration of the wind as it passes through the leaves or something else entirely. I love the way that the light is dappled by the leaves in the summer. Even when I am in a woodland in winter, I love the structure of the trees with their starker shapes against a crisp blue sky.

Another tree and woodland enthusiast is Cheryl Rickman. In this book, she takes us on a journey through a tree-lined path. Beginning with why we need trees, especially in the digital age and why we have such a strong association with them. Even having pictures of them in a room or on a screen can have a beneficial effect on a person’s well-being. They are not just for looking at though, touching and smelling trees and leaves can have similar effects. It is thought that this is because of deep-rooted neural wiring that reminds us how they have fed, sheltered and kept us warm for thousands of years.

The second section is about how we connect again with the natural world and trees in particular. This part is more about practical things that you can do to increase this, including making time to notice the tiny details as well as games and fun things to do with small children and families. The final part of the book is talking about what we can do to help maintain and improve the environment for them, after all, we are all interlinked and our longevity depends on them.

I liked this a lot. It has got the balance right between inspirational writing, solid scientific basis and practical well-being suggestions. I know that not everyone is for me, but I have made a note of a few things to do in 2023. Her enthusiasm for her woody subjects is evident throughout the book, and I am slightly jealous of her as she even owns a little piece of ancient woodland. If, like me, you don’t own your own copse, then grab a copy of this book and head to your nearest woodland to luxuriate in the natural cathedral of trees.

Don’t forget to visit the other blogs on the blog tour