Review: Cities and Canopies: Trees in Indian Cities

Cities and Canopies: Trees in Indian Cities by Harini Nagendra
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hooter: Know Thy Neighbour(hood Trees), Love Thy Neighbour(hood Trees)

A brave topic and an interesting attempt to explore it- learning about local trees, their cultural significance, medicinal uses, and origin stories. The book captures numerous anecdotes about trees in our neighbourhoods, making for a fun and enlightening read. That said, it occasionally veers into academic territory, and the lack of visuals leaves it feeling somewhat incomplete. Including images of trees and leaves could have made it more interactive- even turning it into an activity to engage broader audiences, which seems to have been the book’s original intent.

Having read Nature in the City, I had set my expectations higher for this one. Still, it has its moments- from banyan trees capturing the imagination of even Ancient Greeks, with Alexander the Great’s army awestruck by their sheer presence, to the iconic banyan trees in almost every Indian city today, silent witnesses to history- if only we could speak their language, or they ours.

Eucalyptus gets notable attention as an exotic alien that has made India its home over the past century. The aesthetic palm tree appears too- courtesy of Silicon Valley vibes, and little else.

Trees like peepuls, neems, jamuns, and drumsticks all make an appearance. Yet at times, the narrative feels like it’s checking boxes rather than delving into the rich background stories each of them holds. I give it a 3- for taking on such a unique and deserving topic in a world where local varieties are fast disappearing in a globalised landscape.

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