Thisbook just might save the planet.

Whatwould happen if you unplugged the filter of your aquarium? One week later,would the water be clear or would it be murky? And the fish-would they still bealive? According to David Milarch, the charismatic tree planter at the centerof The Man Who Planted Trees, trees are the earth's filter. Withoutthem-and without a systematic effort to find the most resilient trees and plantthem where they are needed most-the fate of our planet could be in jeopardy.

InThe Man Who Planted Trees, New York Times science writer JimRobbins follows the ten-year odyssey of David Milarch, a Michigan nurserymanwho survived a near-death experience, had an otherworldly visitation, and hastaken upon himself the mission of saving the trees of the earth-and the earthitself. It is a mission that many once-skeptical scientists now say is lookingsmarter every day.

JimRobbins is a frequent contributor to the sciencesection of The New York Times. He has written for Smithsonian,Audubon, Vanity Fair, The Sunday Times, Scientific American, The New York TimesMagazine, Discover, Psychology Today, Gourmet, and Condé Nast Traveler andhas appeared on ABC's Nightline, NPR's All Things Considered andMorning Edition, and the Today show.