An astonishingly illustrated adventure into the familiar communities shared by local trees with animals, insects, fungi, and microorganisms. You can learn a lot about a tree from the company it keeps. James Nardi guides you through the hidden, unseen world that trees share with a wonderful variety of creatures.

Through complex immune responses, trees enlist an army of allies as predators and pests to defend themselves against unwanted attacks from organisms that eat leaves, sap the sticky juice, and drill into the wood. Microbial life thrives in the hidden spaces of leaf scales, branches, and bark, while birds, mammals, and insects benefit from the more visible resources trees provide. Conversely, animals assist in pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient recycling.

The Hidden Company That Trees Keep combines delightful storytelling with beautiful illustrations and the latest scientific discoveries, revealing how the lives of trees are interconnected with those of their diverse companions.

• Includes rich material of detailed diagrams accompanied by stunning images of microscopic landscapes on leaf surfaces, bark, and roots.

• Contains informational boxes with facts.

• Presents new discoveries in biology and natural history.

• Written by one of the world's leading naturalists.