Structure

The book opens with a Prologue in which Jahren challenges the reader to become a scientist by considering a leaf and asking questions about it. She directly addresses the reader in that section by saying, “Humor me for a minute, and look out your window” (Page 2 of the Prologue). The Kindle version of the book also includes an Epilogue in which she addresses the reader again, challenging readers to plant a tree and even encouraging them to carve Bill's name on the trunk. Other than these two sections, she does not depend on the direct address.

The book is divided into three sections. The first is titled, “Part One: Roots and Leaves.” There are 11 chapters in this section. Each is titled by number only. The next section is titled, “Part Two: Wood and Knots.” There are 12 chapters in this section. They are titled, “Chapter 1” through “Chapter 12,” rather...