Tree Stories: How trees plant our world and connect our lives

Trees have played countless roles in human history - by turns hopeful symbols of freedom, pioneering space travellers, keepers of ancient history and accessories to murder. From art to politics, science to crime, these are the stories of the trees that have shaped life on Earth.

Neurobiologist and philosopher Stefano Mancuso brings his signature charm and eye for unforgettable detail to tell eight stories of trees that have rooted themselves in human history - from the red spruces that were made into Stradivarius' violins to the wooden ladder that solved 'The Crime of the Century'.

Combining scientific vigour with his inimitable voice, Mancuso reveals the amazing ways that the world's green-print has shaped the course of our lives, issuing a passionate rallying cry for greater care and attention towards the plants that have helped us survive and thrive.

Stefano Mancuso is a leading authority in plant neurobiology, which explores signalling and communication at all levels of biological organisation. He teaches at the University of Florence and has been ranked a 'world changer' by the New Yorker. His works, including The Revolutionary Genius of Plants, The Incredible Journey of Plants and The Nation of Plants, are international bestsellers and have been widely translated all over the world.