Of Heartwood and Woundwood
An Unlikely Arborist's Path to Courage and Joy
- Publisher: Broadleaf Books (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
A lively and moving literary memoir of trees, illness, and the fierce resilience of the human spirit. High in the crown of a chestnut oak, amid the dappled sunlight and the whisper of leaves, writer and arborist Jean Zimmerman experienced a sudden physical crisis that marked the beginning of a profound transformation--the second life-altering development she faced in a dozen years. The first: a pivot away from a successful writing career to become a professional arborist. The second: a diagnosis of ALS, received soon after unsettling symptoms arose while she was on a tree-climbing retreat. Interweaving these two life changes, Zimmerman builds a lush, poignant, and hopeful narrative that intertwines the fragility of the human body with the enduring strength of trees. With the keen eye of a seasoned writer and the heart of a devoted arborist, Zimmerman invites us into a world where trees become teachers, healers, and companions amid life's most daunting challenges. She explores the science and symbolism of heartwood, the resilient core of a tree, and woundwood, the tissue that seals and strengthens after injury, drawing powerful parallels to human resilience. Her evocative and effervescent narrative celebrates the enduring wisdom of "ladytrees," embodying feminine power and grace, and honors the women who have shaped the history and future of arboriculture. Set against vivid landscapes from New York City's urban canopy to the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, Of Heartwood and Woundwood is both a personal odyssey and a cultural history. It illuminates the vital role trees play in our environment and psyche, weaving botanical science, historical insight, and poetic meditation. For all of us who cherish nature's mysteries and the art of storytelling, this book is a luminous testament to finding courage, connection, and joy in the face of uncertainty.
Endorsements (9)
“Jean Zimmerman's Of Heartwood and Woundwood will help you vicariously discover how trees can guide you in finding the wisdom, courage, and strength needed to face the inevitable before its time. Just as its namesake does for trees, Heartwood will help you stand straight and tall, even in the face of adversity. A lighthearted yet powerful read.”
“Anything Jean Zimmerman writes is something I'd want to read. This timely book, in which Zimmerman looks both out and in, is an intelligent, important read that's sure to interest those who liked recent popular tree/science books like The Overstory or Finding the Mother Tree.”
“Fresh and brave, Of Heartwood and Woundwood is the read we need right now. Read it, share it, gift it, take it into your own heartwood and let this beautiful book remind you how trees--and fine storytelling--can heal what hurts.”
“In Of Heartwood and Woundwood, Jean Zimmerman's stunning memoir, I wasn't just taken on her fascinating journey of becoming an arborist, or her courageous management of a devastating illness; she radically changed how I saw the everyday world. I read it straight through, then read it again. This gorgeously written book is filled with such wonder, tenderness, and love for our place among the trees. Jean Zimmerman has given readers a gift. I, for one, will never walk through a city or forest the same.”
“Jean Zimmerman's writing is lively and engaging, and her work is right up my alley as an arborist and historian of tree lore. Her fresh take on the culture and language of arboriculture is incisive, and there's a wide-eyed sense of wonder to revel in.”
“With heart, vulnerability, and no small amount of poetry, Jean Zimmerman shares her own experience of the cycle of life, both as an urban arborist and as a powerful woman facing a crisis of health with resilience and a spirit of profound creativity. The life Zimmerman leads in Of Heartwood and Woundwood is extraordinary, but her voice is always relatable--and often inspiring.”
“Jean Zimmerman has written a touching and engaging story of an unexpected career change into arboriculture and urban forestry. Weaving in her love for history and literature, as well as for trees and especially the women who take care of them, she expertly guides us through urban forests in New York and elsewhere. A devastating disease becomes a source of deepened ties and passion rather than a roadblock. A must-read for professional and nonprofessional tree lovers alike.”
“This book is timely and necessary in this moment when people are more tuned into the value and importance of trees and forests than ever before. Of Heartwood and Woundwood is uniquely relevant for everyone, from tree enthusiasts to those who are seeking nature-based solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face today. Jean Zimmerman knows how to tell a compelling story!”
“Becoming familiar with trees can enrich your life--even if you have a life-threatening illness. In Of Heartwood and Woundwood Zimmerman takes readers along on her journey as she grows to understand, and then love, the arboreal world.”
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