Jim Robbins’ book The Man Who Planted Trees, A Story of Lost Groves, The Science of Trees, And A Plan to Save the Planet is a story about superheroes.

Dave Milarch arm wrestled his way “from Key West with shrimp fishermen all the way to San Francisco, across the country, wrestling cowboys and loggers and all” (72). So who better to conspire a plan to save the world from complete climate disaster than this Michigan farmer and nurseryman, who started The Champion Tree Project, which later became known as the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive.

Archangel seeks out the largest trees of each species in the world in order to clone, preserve, and propagate  those genetics in actual living tree archives. Although many times throughout the project’s evolution it has sometimes been met with some opposition either scientifically or financially, the organization has prospered and has clones of epic trees planted throughout the world.

Milarch’s challenging goal is reforestation on a global level.

“When you have a project and you find yourself in a crunch situation and you absolutely have to get it done and it’s overwhelming, and you have half enough help and half enough money, your best bet is to find a farmer…” (84).

This book is also a spiritual journey into the deepest parts of life, and beyond. You see, one of the main reason’s for Milarch starting the project was a near-death experience which he came out of with the troublesome vision of a tree-deprived world and an overwhelming desire to change that horrid landscape.

From the giant Redwoods of California to the ancient Oaks of Ireland, the Bristlecone Pine, the mystical, magical, poisonous yews of Europe, Milarch and his family have traveled far and wide to clip cuttings in order to reproduce the largest and oldest trees on the planet. Those superior genetics, Milarch argues, will be best suited for the ever growing challenges the future environment will present.

Milarch has been shot down by politicians and corporate entities alike, he has been received with open arms by some scientists and conservationists on the front lines of tree biology, mysticism and spirituality. This book is a fantastic wild ride learning about Dave Milarch’s life and his life work, and it is a story of perseverance. It’s a story about an underdog who’s never out of the fight. Hell, he bartered honey and firewood with the doctor who delivered his sons, so if anyone can find a way to make things work, its Dave. And just like the big trees he works with, survival is his specialty (101).

The world’s forests are disappearing. The global climate is warming, and modern people are faced with a catastrophic predicament to save the natural world in which they live. Trees aid the natural processes of everything they are connected to, from moths and butterflies to phytoplankton, another massive oxygen source for the world. Trees reduce crime, clean water, scrub the air; and scientifically we haven’t even scratched the surface of understanding of how trees and forests interact with the living world. They are every bit superheroes in their own right.

Dave Milarch saw the light, he passed from one world into another and back again, and he accepted the earthly and intergalactic task of saving planet earth. Believe me, if there’s one person you want fighting to save the planet, bare knuckles and all, it’s Dave Milarch.

In his own, unwavering words, “the impossible just takes a little longer.”

https://www.ancienttreearchive.org