Branching Out
by Joan Marie Galat

I love spending time in forest habitat. The air is fresh, animals signs are everywhere, and the world feels like a quieter place. My interest in these giants of the plant world led me to write a book for ages 8-12 that explores how people and animals depend on trees. Branching Out: How Trees are Part of Our World (Owlkids) is full of surprising facts about trees, but it is just as much a book about the animals (even fish!) who use them for food and shelter.

India’s national tree—the banyan (Ficus benghalensis)—is one of eleven featured species. This tree is an evergreen with roots that grow in the air toward the ground, where they eventually anchor. They look beautiful but are also deadly. The new trunks will one day strangle the original tree.

A banyan's aerial roots may be used to make rope, tent poles, and cart yokes. Its leaves can serve as handy plates and its twigs make good toothpicks! People also harvest banyan wood and bark to create paper and the tree's sap to make rubber.  

A banyan tree will produce figs throughout the year. This species often serves as a meeting place, thanks to the shade it produces. One of my favorite things about banyan trees is that their many leaves help reduce air and noise pollution. 

Watch the Branching Out book trailer to discover more about how trees are part of our world!

 

Joan reading in a spruce tree.

Upper right: banyan tree