Forestry and silviculture Books

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Book SynopsisIndustries are developing radical, new biotechnology processes to expand and develop their range of products that originate from the world''s forests. As a result of the growing understanding of the process involved, biotechnology is also helping reduce any adverse impact on the environment.; This book presents a review of specialist research directed towards efficient and environmentally sensitive use of forests. An introductory chapter explaining the structure and anatomy of wood is followed by a chapter-by-chapter review of the most current developments on individual topics associated with a wide range of forest products such as timber, trees, pulp and paper, drugs and valuable chemicals. In addition, chapters focus on the ways of resolving some of the environmental problems faced by these industries.Table of ContentsWood as material; biotechnology in the study of brown and white rot decay; biopulping; enzymes in pulp bleaching; anaerobic treatment of pulp mill effluents; bioremediation of soils contaminated with organic wood preservatives; bioremediation of wood treated with preservatives by using white rot fungi; biotechnology production of wood composites; special (secondary) metabolites from wood; wood/bark extracts as adhesive and preservatives; ethanol production and forest products' wastes; production of mushrooms from wood waste substrates; drugs from plants; the role of biological metal chelators in wood degradation and xenobiotic degradation; biological control of wood decay; biological control of forests pests - a biological perspective; transgenic trees; the use of molecular methods for the detecting and identification of wood decay fungi.

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Book SynopsisRevised and fully updated, this textbook provides a detailed yet accessible introduction to the key aspects of ecosystem services. Ecosystem services is one of the most powerful guiding principles for ecology, biodiversity conservation and the management of natural resources. It provides the basis of assessing the multiple values and services that ecosystems can provide to humankind, including diverse issues such as carbon sequestration, flood control, crop pollination and aesthetic and cultural services. The second edition of Ecosystem Services: Key Issues has been fully revised and updated to address policy and scientific developments, as well as new and emerging issues, such as nature-based solutions, zoonotic diseases and environmental justice. It includes new and updated case studies from across the world and each chapter contains further reading, learning objectives and discussion questions to aid student learning. The book details the historical roots of ecosystem services in the second half of the twentieth century, through initiatives such as the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, The Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It shows how ecosystem goods and services can be categorised and valued in economic as well as non-monetary terms, while also highlighting some of the difficulties and limitations of valuation techniques. The author describes how themes such as systems thinking, social-ecological resilience and natural capital relate to ecosystem services, and how these can contribute to more sustainable and equitable development. This book will be essential reading for students and scholars of ecosystem services, ecology, environmental science, biodiversity conservation, environmental economics, natural resource management and sustainable development. It will also be of use to professionals and policymakers who are looking to integrate ecosystems and their services into their decision making processes.Table of Contents1. Introduction to ecosystem services 2. Origins and evolution of the concept and practice of ecosystem services 3. Conservation of ecosystems and their services 4. Understanding systems 5. Ethical considerations 6. Valuing ecosystem services 7. International initiatives to embed ecosystem services 8. Putting ecosystem services into practice 9. The economics of ecosystem services 10. Rebuilding the Earth 11. Ecosystem services and the pursuit of a sustainable future

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Book SynopsisForestland investment has surged in the past few decades as a result of land ownership change in the forestry industry. Timberland investment and management organizations and real estate investment trusts have bought up land and resources that were divested by vertically integrated forest products companies. This book provides a seminal coverage of this seismic shift in the industry, exploring the philosophy, driving factors, valuation, theory, research, implementation, practice, and effects of forestland investment. Across 15 chapters the book reviews the history of forestland investment; discusses the optimal forest rotation; explains timberland appraisal; examines the return drivers of forestland; analyzes timberland index construction methods and results; prices timberland assets; reviews financial and real options; investigates real option values in forestland management; evaluates timber harvest contracts; examines new opportunities in the emerging woody bioenergy market; and Table of Contents1. Introduction to Forestland Investment 2. Optimal Forest Rotation 3. Timberland Appraisals 4. Return Drivers of Timberland Investment 5. Property and Income Tax of Timberland 6. Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing Models 7. Timberland Index Construction Methods and Result 8. Financial Analysis of Timberland 9. Financial and Real Options 10. Managerial Options in Timberland Investment 11. Valuing Timber Harvest Contracts 12. Benefit and Cost Analysis of Forest Carbon 13. Emerging Woody Biomass Markets 14. Case Study: Weyerhaeuser & Plum Creek Merger 15. Concluding Remarks

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive Handbook serves as a unique synthesis and resource for understanding how analytical frameworks developed within the literature assist in understanding the nature and management of commons resources. Such frameworks include those related to Institutional Analysis and Development, Social-Ecological Systems, and Polycentricity, among others. The book aggregates and analyses these frameworks to lay a foundation for exploring how they apply according to scholars across a wide range of disciplines. It includes an exploration of the unique problems arising in different disciplines of commons study, including natural resources (forests, oceans, water, energy, ecosystems, etc), economics, law, governance, the humanities, and intellectual property. It shows how the analytical frameworks discussed early in the book facilitate interdisciplinarity within commons scholarship. This interdisciplinary approach within the context of analytical frameworks helps facilitate a more comTrade Review"The Routledge Handbook of the Commons is an extraordinary collection of essays exploring self-governance from many viewpoints. The volume first present alternative frameworks for analyzing commons and then continues with empirical sections that explore traditional natural resource commons as well as governance of resources in the knowledge economy, including genomic and other medical data, urban commons, climate and global commons. The volume is an important contribution to the study of economic systems." - Thráinn Eggertsson, University of Iceland and Hertie School of Governance, GermanyTable of Contents1. Introduction: Commons Analytical Frameworks and Case Studies Part I: theoretical frameworks and alternative lenses for analyzing commons 2. Bridging Analytical Frameworks and Disciplines to Which They Apply 3. Using the Ostrom Workshop Frameworks to Study the Commons 4. Polycentricity 5. Connecting Commons and the IAD Framework 6. Anticommons Theory 7. Knowledge Commons 8. Commons Storytelling: Tragedies, Comedies, and Tragicomedies 9. Common-pool Resource Appropriation and Conservation: Lessons from Experimental Economics 10. Humanistic Rational Choice: Understanding the Fundamental Motivations that Drive Self-Organization and Cooperation in Commons Dilemmas Part II: commons interdisciplinary case Studies 11. The US Public Lands as Commons 12. Water Commons: A Critical Appreciation and Revisionist View 13. Commons Analysis and Ocean Fisheries 14. Coastal Commons as Social-ecological Systems 15. Climate as a Commons 16. Governing Wildlife Commons: Wild Boars, Wolves, and Red Kites 17. Ecosystem Services as Commons? 18. Urban commons of the Global South: Using multiple frames to illuminate complexity 19. Ostrom in the City: Design Principles and Practices for the Urban Commons 20. Infrastructure and its Governance: The British Broadcasting Corporation Case Study 21. Medical Information Commons 22. Ethical Standards for Unconsented Data Access to Build Genomic and Other Medical Information Commons 23. Technology Dependent Commons 24. From Historical Institution to pars pro toto: the Commons and Their Revival in Historical Perspective 25. Customary Authority and Commons Governance 26. The Role of Pseudo-Commons in Post-Socialist Countries 27. Facilitated Self-Governance of the Commons: On the Roles of Civil Society Organizations in the Governance of Shared Resource Systems 28. Commons, Indigenous Rights, and Governance 29. Globalization, Local Commons, and the Multiscale Ecosystem Framework (MEF) Part III: A global context 30. Bigger Issues in a Smaller World: The Future of the Commons 31. Protecting the Global Commons: The Politics of Planetary Boundaries

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Book SynopsisThe concept of Green Exercise has now been widely adopted and implies a synergistic health benefit of being active in the presence of nature. This book provides a balanced overview and synthesis text on all aspects of Green Exercise and integrates evidence from many different disciplines including physiology, ecology, psychology, sociology and the environmental sciences, and across a wide range of countries.  It describes the impact of Green Exercise on human health and well-being through all stages of the lifecourse and covers a wide spectrum from cellular processes such as immune function through to facilitating human behavioural change. It demonstrates the value of Green Exercise for activity and education purposes in both schools and the workplace, as well as its therapeutic properties. Green Exercise is an effective intervention for vulnerable groups and promoting healthy ageing, with activities including wilderness therapy, therapeutic horticulture and the use of fTrade Review"Physical activity promotes health. Nature contact promotes health. This wonderful book explores the intersection of the two, providing both theory and evidence, across cultures, on the benefits of green exercise. It’s timely, thorough, and readable – the definitive source on green exercise. Highly recommended." – Howard Frumkin, School of Public Health, University of Washington, USA. "Green Exercise provides an antidote for much of what ails modern society. This book will help both to protect the natural world and to enhance public health. Evidence presented in this book – regarding beneficial effects of green exercise on myriad outcomes including physical activity, obesity, attention, mental health, and immune function – can be leveraged in support of policies to protect woodlands, programs to facilitate active engagement with the natural environment, interventions to reduce health disparities, and to inspire each of us to be active outdoors." – Nancy M. Wells, Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University, USA.Table of Contents1. The Seven Heresies of Asclepius: Behaviours that Affect Well-being Jules Pretty and David Pencheon 2. Nature in Buildings and Health Design Stephen Kellert 3. Green Exercise, Health and a Dose of Nature Jo Barton, Carly Wood, Jules Pretty and Mike Rogerson 4. How to get more out of the Green Exercise Experience: Insights from Attention Restoration Theory Jason Duvall and William C. Sullivan 5. Children’s Connections to Nature and Green Exercise Carly Wood, Rachel Bragg and Jules Pretty 6. Learning on the Move: Green Exercise for Children and Young People Liz O’Brien, Bianca Ambrose-Oji, Sue Waite, Jennie Aronsson and Maria Clark 7. The Benefits of Blue Exercise Mathew White, Sarah Bell, Lewis Elliott, Rebecca Jenkin, Benedict Wheeler and Michael Depledge 8. Forest Bathing in Japan Qing Li 9. Healthy Parks, Healthy People: Evidence from Australia Mardie Townsend and Claire Henderson-Wilson 10. Green Care: Nature-based Interventions for Vulnerable People Joe Sempik and Rachel Bragg 11. Care Farming and Probation Helen Elsey, Jenni Murray and Rochelle Gold 12. Green Care Interventions for Youth at Risk Jo Roberts, Jo Barton and Carly Wood 13. Green Exercise in the Workplace Valerie Gladwell and Dan Brown 14. Green Exercise and Dementia Neil Mapes 15. The Benefits of Greener and Healthier Economies Jules Pretty and Jo Barton

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Book SynopsisThe first of two volumes documenting the latest findings on forest biodiversity, this book presents original, new contributions by some three hundred scientists from over forty countries. Researchers from the massive Smithsonian/MAB Biological Diversity Program cover the feasibility of using long-term inventory plots as a framework for monitoring multi-layer vegetation, socioeconomic applications of research results, and promotion of multidisciplinary research and training. The book is in five main sections covering first the methodology for forest monitoring and modeling and then the results of research from Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia/Pacific.Trade Review"The publication of this book is timely in that it adds substantially to the existing knowledge on biodiversity and addresses important subject areas that require additional research…" -- Agroforestry Sytems, 1998Table of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. Contributors. Section I: Foret monitoring framework. Section II: Monitoring and modeling forest biodiversity. Section III: Europe. Section IV: Africa and Australia. Section V: Asia/Pacific. Conclusion. Index.

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Book SynopsisForest Health: An Integrated Perspective is the first book to define an ecologically rational, conceptual framework that unifies and integrates the many sub-disciplines that comprise the science of forest health and protection. This new global approach applies to boreal, temperate, tropical, natural, managed, even-aged, uneven-aged and urban forests, as well as plantations. Readers of the text can use real datasets to assess the sustainability of four forests around the world. Datasets for the case studies are at www.cambridge.org/9780521766692, and the text provides stepwise instructions for performing the calculations in Microsoft Excel. Readers can follow along as the editors perform the same calculations and interpret the results. Elevating forest health from a fuzzy concept to an ecologically sound paradigm, this is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students and professionals interested in forest health, protection, entomology, pathology and ecology.Trade Review'… a terrific new contribution to forest health science … It is loaded with great information and well referenced … the assembly of authors takes a broad perspective and seeks to educate the reader by providing significant detail to reinforce the concepts in a global perspective.' EcologyTable of ContentsPreface; Part I. Forest Health and Mortality: 1. The past as key to the future: a new perspective on forest health S. A. Teale and J. D. Castello; 2. Mortality: the essence of a healthy forest L. Zhang, B. D. Rubin and P. D. Manion; 3. How do we do it, and what does it mean?: forest health case studies J. D. Castello, S. A. Teale and J. A. Cale; Part II. Forest Health and its Ecological Components: 4. Regulators and terminators: the importance of biotic factors to a healthy forest S. A. Teale and J. D. Castello; 5. Alien invasions: the effects of introduced species on forest structure and function D. Parry and S. A. Teale; 6. Out of sight, underground: forest health, edaphic factors, and mycorrhizae R. D. Briggs and T. R. Horton; 7. Earth, wind, and fire: abiotic factors and the impacts of global environmental change on forest health J. E. Lundquist, A. E. Camp, M. L. Tyrrell, S. J. Seybold, P. Cannon and D. J. Lodge; Part III. Forest Health and the Human Dimension: 8. Silviculture, forest management, and forest health: an axe does not a forester make C. A. Nowak, R. H. Germain and A. P. Drew; 9. Biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable timber harvest: can we have it all? S. P. Campbell, D. A. Patrick and J. P. Gibbs; 10. Seeing the forest for the trees: forest health monitoring M. Fierke, D. Nowak and R. Hofstetter; 11. What did we learn, and where does it leave us?: concluding thoughts J. D. Castello and S. A. Teale; Appendix A. Microsoft Excel instructions for Chapter 2; Appendix B. Microsoft Excel instructions for Chapter 3; Appendix C. Glossary of terms; Index.

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Book SynopsisHandbook of Major Palm Pests: Biology and Management contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the red palm weevil and the palm borer moth, two newly emergent invasive palm pests which are adversely affecting palm trees around the world. It provides state-of-the-art scientific information on the ecology, biology, and management of palm pests from a global group of experts in the field.An essential compendium for anyone working with or studying palms, it is dedicated to the detection, eradication, and containment of these invasive species, which threaten the health and very existence of global palm crops.Table of ContentsContributors xiii Nomenclature xvii Introduction xxi 1 Some Representative Palm Pests: Ecological and Practical Data 1Laurence Beaudoin-Ollivier, Nunzio Isidoro, Josep A. Jaques, Paola Riolo, Mohamed Kamal and Didier Rochat 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 General Features About Palms and their Pests 2 1.3 Crown and Stem Borers 5 1.4 Defoliators of Fronds (= Leaves) 11 1.5 Sap and Frond (= Leaves) Feeders? 17 1.6 Inflorescence and Fruit Borers 20 1.7 Roots 27 1.8 Conclusion 28 References 29 2 Morphology and Physiology of Palm Trees as Related to Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon Infestation and Management 39Yuval Cohen 2.1 Introduction 39 2.2 Palms in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin 39 2.3 Palm Morphology and Anatomy 41 2.4 The Palm Crown 42 2.5 The Structure of the Palm Stem 46 2.6 Conclusion 51 References 51 3 Economic and Social Impacts of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon on Palms 54Alan MacLeod and Mohamud Hussein 3.1 Introduction 54 3.2 Ecosystem Services Provided by Palms 55 3.3 Impacts and Costs of Mitigation 61 3.4 Conclusion 63 References 64 4 Rhynchophorus ferrugineus: Taxonomy, Distribution, Biology, and Life Cycle 69Didier Rochat, Oscar Dembilio, Josep A. Jaques, Pompeo Suma, Alessandra La Pergola, Rachid Hamidi, Dimitris Kontodimas and Victoria Soroker 4.1 Introduction 69 4.2 Taxonomy and Distribution 70 4.3 Biology and Host Plants 73 4.4 Life Cycle and Adaptation to the Temperate and Desert Areas 85 4.5 Conclusion 96 References 97 5 Rhynchophorus ferrugineus: Behavior, Ecology, and Communication 105Ezio Peri, Didier Rochat, Gregor Beluši¡c, Marko Ili´c, Victoria Soroker, Shay Barkan, Salvatore Guarino, Paolo Lo Bue and Stefano Colazza 5.1 Introduction 105 5.2 Main Behaviors Involved in Species Dynamics 106 5.3 Chemical Cues 111 5.4 Vision and Visual Cues 119 5.5 Conclusion 124 References 125 6 Paysandisia archon: Taxonomy, Distribution, Biology, and Life Cycle 131Nunzio Isidoro, Paola Riolo, Elisa Verdolini, Ezio Peri and Laurence Beaudoin-Ollivier 6.1 Introduction 131 6.2 Taxonomy of the Castniidae 131 6.3 Distribution of P. archon 133 6.4 Morphology of P. archon Stages 135 6.5 Biology 137 6.6 Conclusion 145 References 145 7 Paysandisia archon: Behavior, Ecology, and Communication 150Brigitte Frérot, Rachid Hamidi, Nunzio Isidoro, Paola Riolo, Sara Ruschioni, Ezio Peri, Roberto Romani, Gregor Beluši¡c and Primož Pirih 7.1 Introduction 150 7.2 P. archon Reproductive Behavior 151 7.3 Host-Finding and Chemical Cues 155 7.4 Visual Cues: Their Roles in Mate and Host Location 160 References 167 8 Natural Enemies of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon 171Lola Ortega-García, Elisabeth Tabone, Laurence Beaudoin-Ollivier, Dana Ment, Maurane Buradino, Josep A. Jaques, Inmaculada Garrido-Jurado, Oscar Dembilio and Enrique Quesada Moraga 8.1 Introduction 171 8.2 Natural Enemies 172 8.3 Perspectives on Biological Control of R. ferrugineus and P. archon 180 References 181 9 Visual Identification and Characterization of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon Infestation 187Dimitris Kontodimas, Victoria Soroker, Costas Pontikakos, Pompeo Suma, Laurence Beaudoin-Ollivier, Filitsa Karamaouna and Paola Riolo 9.1 Introduction 187 9.2 Non-Pathognomonic Symptoms 188 9.3 Pathognomonic Symptoms 191 9.4 Identification of RPWInfestation 201 9.5 Identification of PBM Infestation 202 9.6 Simultaneous Infestation of Both Pests and Co-Occurrence with Other Pests or Diseases 204 9.7 Conclusion 207 References 207 10 Surveillance Techniques and Detection Methods for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon 209Victoria Soroker, Pompeo Suma, Alessandra La Pergola, Vicente Navarro Llopis, Sandra Vacas, Yafit Cohen, Yuval Cohen, Victor Alchanatis, PanosMilonas, Ofri Golomb, Eitan Goldshtein, Abd El Moneam El Banna and Amots Hetzroni 10.1 Introduction 209 10.2 Acoustic Detection 210 10.3 Chemical Detection 214 10.4 Thermal Detection 218 10.5 Detection of Pest Distribution by Monitoring Traps 220 10.6 Conclusion 226 References 228 11 CPLAS Information Systemas a Monitoring Tool for Integrated Management of Palm Pests 233Costas Pontikakos, Filitsa Karamaouna, Amots Hetzroni, Dimitris Kontodimas, Victoria Soroker, Frosa Samiou, Yuval Cohen, Stella Giorgoudelli, OuraniaMelita, Stavros Papageorgiou, Paul Benjamin and Eitan Goldshtein 11.1 Introduction 233 11.2 CPLAS Architecture and Functions 234 11.3 Web-mapping Service of CPLAS 251 11.4 Conclusion 252 References 254 12 Control Measures Against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon 255Josep A. Jaques, Paola Riolo, Neil Audsley, Joan Manel Barroso, Oscar Dembilio, Nunzio Isidoro, Roxana LuisaMinuz, Sandro Nardi, Vicente Navarro Llopis, Laurence Beaudoin-Ollivier and Enrique Quesada Moraga 12.1 Why Control of R. ferrugineus and P. archon is so Difficult: Reasons to Deal with Both of these Pests Together 255 12.2 Current Control Methods 256 12.3 Future Needs and Trends 270 References 271 13 Action Programs for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon 280Pompeo Suma, Ezio Peri, Alessandra La Pergola, Victoria Soroker, Oscar Dembilio, Paola Riolo and Sandro Nardi 13.1 Introduction 280 13.2 General Measures against all IAS 281 13.3 Threats and Risks presented by IAS:The case of RPWand PBM 282 13.4 The Action Plan as Part of a Global Strategy for the Containment of RPW and PBM Infestations 283 13.5 Analysis of Pest Status and Distribution of RPWand PBM as a Strategy for Detecting Change and Emerging Impacts 283 13.6 Establishing Effective Systems to Assess Risk and Prioritize Management 285 13.7 Definition of an EarlyWarning and Monitoring System 286 13.8 Citizen Involvement in Undertaking Voluntary Measures to Counteract the Spread of RPWand PBM 286 13.9 Setup of an RPWand PBM Portal Online 287 13.10 Development of Funding Mechanisms to Manage RPWand PBM Infestations 287 13.11 Case Studies 288 13.12 Action Programs for Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Areas 294 13.13 Conclusion and Future Outlook 296 References 296 Index 300

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Book SynopsisForest trees and shrubs play vital ecological roles, reducing the carbon load from the atmosphere by using carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and by the storage of carbon in biomass and wood as a source of energy. Autoecology deals with all aspects of woody plants; the dynamism of populations, physiological traits of trees, light requirements, life history patterns, and physiological and morphological characters. Ecophysiology is defined by various plant growth parameters such as leaf traits, xylem water potential, plant height, basal diameter, and crown architecture which are, in turn, influenced by physiological traits and environmental conditions in the forest ecosystem. In short, this book details research advances in various aspects of woody plants to help forest scientists and foresters manage and protect forest trees and plan their future research. Autoecology and Ecophysiology of Woody Shrubs and Trees is intended to be a guide for students of woody plant autoecoTable of ContentsPreface, vii List of contributors, ix 1 Background, 1 Part I: 2 Autoecology, 15 3 Vegetation and biodiversity, 25 4 Case study: A trip to regions of biodiversity and rainforest in Riviera Maya, 31 5 Plant traits, 42 6 Leaf traits, 74 7 Wood characteristics, 83 8 Phenology, 111 9 Phenology, morphology and variability in pollen viability of four woody species (Cordia boissieri, Parkinsonia texana, P. aculeata and Leucophyllum frutescens) exposed to environmental temperature, north-eastern Mexico, 124 10 Pollen biology and plant productivity: A review, 133 11 Seed characteristics, 158 12 Tree mortality, 162 13 Plant traits related to the productivity of trees, 168 Part II: 14 Ecophysiology, 181 15 Research advances in plant ecophysiology, 190 16 Carbon capture, carbon sequestration and carbon fixation, 199 17 Plant nutrients, 220 18 Litterfall and forest productivity, 238 19 Nutrient cycling, 244 20 Plant water relations and forest productivity, 248 21 Cold tolerance of trees, 261 22 Heat stress tolerance of trees, 266 23 Seed characteristics, seed dormancy, germination and plant propagation, 270 24 Root growth, 278 25 Features of boreal forest in Russia: A special study, 285 26 Case study: Autoecology, biodiversity and adaptive characteristics of Prosopis in the Arizona region, 312 Appendix 1: Leaf Morphology, 325 Index, 333

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Book Synopsis"A thorough and generous guide to shaping your world not only to your own happiness, but the world’s as well.”—John Hodgman, host of Judge John Hodgman; author of Vacationland Carving Out a Living on the Land tells the story of how author Emmet Van Driesche navigated changing life circumstances, took advantage of unexpected opportunities, and leveraged new and old skills to piece together an economically viable living on marginal farmland, while at the same time respecting the land’s complex ecological relationships. Van Driesche’s adventure began when he recognized that he could do much more with his land than simply tend rows of perfectly sheared Christmas trees. From spoon carving to scything, coppicing to wreath-making, Carving Out a Living on the Land proves that you don’t need acres of expensive bottomland to start your land-based venture, but rather the creativity and vision to see what might be done with that rocky section or ditch or patch of trees too small to log. You can lease instead of buy; build flexible, temporary structures rather than sink money into permanent ones; and take over an existing operation rather than start from scratch. What matters are your unique circumstances, talents, and interests, which when combined with what the land is capable of producing, can create a fulfilling and meaningful farming life.Trade Review"The lessons here, cleanly told, serve the aspiring farmer, small business owner, and demonstrate not just how to run a farm, but how to build a sustainable and deeply satisfying life with the skills you have, and the ones you can learn."—Boston GlobePublishers Weekly, Starred Review— "Van Driesche’s charmingly pragmatic account of running a Christmas tree farm in Western Massachusetts with his wife, Cecilia, resembles a mini-MBA for farmers in its breadth and depth of insight. . . Filled with a practical and open-minded approach to problem-solving that agrarians and urbanites alike will find refreshing, [this] book provides an invigorating paean to seizing opportunities, finding one’s strengths, and working hard."“In this no-nonsense resource for novice Christmas Tree farmers (and all farmers), Van Driesche shares his sustainable success story in pragmatic and engaging detail.”—Forrest Pritchard, farmer; New York Times best-selling author of Gaining Ground“A couple of years ago I bought a Christmas tree from Emmet Van Driesche’s little family in the woods. I immediately wanted to move in with them. They radiated the kind of peaceful contentment that comes with doing work that makes sense to you and that you are good at. But since moving in with them would be creepy, I am glad to have this book, a thorough and generous guide to shaping your world not only to your own happiness, but the world’s as well.”—John Hodgman, host of Judge John Hodgman; author of Vacationland“Carving Out a Living on the Land describes the joy of living a simpler life in tune with nature, without skipping on the nitty gritty of hard work and paying the bills. Along the way, Emmet shows that spoon carving is not just a wonderful pastime but can be part of a thriving modern business, filling one’s time between the hustle and bustle of childcare and tree cutting with calm, spoon-y industriousness.”—Barn the Spoon, founder, Spoon Club and The Green Wood Guild; author of Spoon

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