The Man Who Made Things Out Of Trees

Product Description

The story of how one man cut down a single tree to see how many things could be made from it.

Out of all the trees in the world, the ash is most closely bound up with who we are: the tree we have made the greatest and most varied use of over the course of human history. One frigid winter morning, Robert Penn lovingly selected an ash tree and cut it down. He wanted to see how many beautiful, handmade objects could be made from it.

Thus begins an adventure of craftsmanship and discovery. Penn visits the shops of modern-day woodworkers―whose expertise has been handed down through generations―and finds that ancient woodworking techniques are far from dead. He introduces artisans who create a flawless axe handle, a rugged and true wagon wheel, a deadly bow and arrow, an Olympic-grade toboggan, and many other handmade objects using their knowledge of ash’s unique properties. Penn connects our daily lives back to the natural woodlands that once dominated our landscapes.

Throughout his travels―from his home in Wales, across Europe, and America―Penn makes a case for the continued and better use of the ash tree as a sustainable resource and reveals some of the dire threats to our ash trees. The emerald ash borer, a voracious and destructive beetle, has killed tens of millions of ash trees across North America since 2002. Unless we are prepared to act now and better value our trees, Penn argues, the ash tree and its many magnificent contributions to mankind will become a thing of the past. This exuberant tale of nature, human ingenuity, and the pleasure of making things by hand chronicles how the urge to understand and appreciate trees still runs through us all like grain through wood.

8 pages of illustrations

Top Reviews

letting none go to waste. His journey takes him to a number of ...
by Scott Rath (4 out of 5 stars)
October 2, 2016

This book is a story of a man who cuts down and ash tree and makes as many things as possible with the wood, letting none go to waste. His journey takes him to a number of craftsman in a wide variety of traits. Some of them the last of their kind, more artist than artisan. From wheel wrights, to tool makers, baseball bats, bowels, arrows shafts and anything else you'd use ash for. The narrative of their stories are some of the best parts of the book.

Interesting project with items made to last a lifetime. It's a good book and a quick read.
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and some of them will live for centuries reminding us of our love of wood
by Amazon Customer (5 out of 5 stars)
September 16, 2016

I envision myself sitting on the stump of a tree I just cut down, a life no longer. Then I look to the future, and all of the products which can be made from the wood, and some of them will live for centuries reminding us of our love of wood. Penn wrote of the ash tree, which I cherish, but am disheartened to know that the destroying Emerald Ash Borer has now been found in 40 of the 72 counties in our state. A delightful book for anyone with an appreciation for the finer qualities of wood. And well researched, organized, and written.
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he was most happy with the book
by Dawn Rupert (5 out of 5 stars)
November 1, 2016

Gave this to my husband for his birthday on Saturday, and he finished it this morning. Being a woodworker himself, he was most happy with the book. Thought I might enjoy it, too.
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Swept Away Instantly, and It Got Better From There
by B. Ruhl (5 out of 5 stars)
July 26, 2016

I pre-ordered this book, downloaded it to kindle at 8 this morning and was half way done by noon. I have to put it down and get to work and i'm not happy about that.

Devour this book, you won't regret it.
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still good though.
by Austin Saflarske (4 out of 5 stars)
August 11, 2017

I did think that this was a book about woodworking, but its really a story about a guy doing woodworking, still good though.
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Practical
by Holly Wilson (4 out of 5 stars)
December 7, 2018

Cover was slightly damaged. However, I think it will be a great gift for my dad.
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Many uses of ash
by jpuett (4 out of 5 stars)
September 11, 2018

Good story, entertaining, informative.
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Text was fascinating, especially for someone living on the ...
by Paul J. Langford (4 out of 5 stars)
May 1, 2017

Text was fascinating, especially for someone living on the southern coastal plain growing longleaf pines. A few photos of finished things would have made it even more interesting.
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I loved this book
by Amazon Customer (5 out of 5 stars)
September 14, 2017

I loved this book. As a hobbyist wood turner it gave me additional inspiration to make things out of the Ash trees from my woods that have died from the emerald ash borer.
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Five Stars
by Terry Schmidt (5 out of 5 stars)
February 10, 2018

Really great read.

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