In 1953 the French author Jean Giono published his classic “The man who planted trees”, a fictional account of a shepherd Elzéard Bouffier, who, by the simple act of planting trees, transforms an entire landscape in his native Provence from parched waste into thriving countryside. The book has been translated into numerous languages and has inspired many thousands of people around the world regarding the benefits of planting trees.
Yet the book had never appeared in the Welsh language. As part of the Tree for All campaign, however, the Woodland Trust has published a Welsh language version, in partnership with the publisher Gwasg Carreg Gwalch. Translated directly from the original French, and illustrated with beautiful engravings by Michael McCurdy, the book will also help support the Tree for All campaign, as 50p will be donated to the Woodland Trust for every copy of the book which is sold.
'I hope this book will be in the hand of every forester, big or small, as they plant!' says the poet Twm Morys, who contributed the foreword to the Welsh edition. Copies are available from Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 12 Iard yr Orsaf, Llanrwst, Dyffryn Conwy LL26 0EH for £6, which includes postage and packing. Cheques should be made payable to Gwasg Carreg Gwalch.
