author
Donald Culross Peattie
1898–1964
A gifted American naturalist who helped generations of readers see trees and wild landscapes with fresh eyes, he blended botanical knowledge with warm, vivid writing. In his day, he was widely admired as one of the most popular nature writers in the United States.
1 Audiobook
Trees You Want to Know
by Donald Culross Peattie
About the author
Born in Chicago in 1898, Donald Culross Peattie became an American botanist, naturalist, and author whose work brought the living world closer to general readers. He studied at Harvard, graduating in 1922, and went on to combine field knowledge with a graceful, approachable literary style.
Peattie wrote extensively about plants, trees, and the American landscape, and his books helped make natural history feel personal rather than remote. He was also known for writing a nature column for the Washington Star during the 1920s and 1930s, building a broad readership beyond academic circles.
He died in 1964, but his reputation has lasted through enduring works on North American trees and the natural world. His writing is still remembered for its mix of observation, affection, and the sense that paying attention to nature can deepen everyday life.