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Author Headshot of Matthew Fleming with Book Cover The Tree Book and Smithsonian Institute Logo

The Stories, Science, and History of Trees - A Virtual Chat

With Smithsonian Gardens Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming

2025-04-08 14:00:00 2025-04-08 15:00:00 America/New_York The Stories, Science, and History of Trees - A Virtual Chat Join us for a virtual chat with Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, into the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world. Reading Public Library -

Tuesday, April 08
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-04-08 14:00:00 2025-04-08 15:00:00 America/New_York The Stories, Science, and History of Trees - A Virtual Chat Join us for a virtual chat with Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, into the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world. Reading Public Library -

Join us for a virtual chat with Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, into the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world.

Join us as Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world—The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees.

Register to attend and ask the presenter questions!

Trees occur naturally throughout the world and have been a part of human history for almost as long as humans have existed. Used for shelter, tools, fuel, and food, they also help supply the atmosphere with oxygen and form astonishingly diverse ecosystems, as well as some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Now the intricate world of leafy woodlands and abundant rainforests is revealed in this extensive visual guide to trees, exploring their key scientific traits and their ecological importance, as well as their enduring significance in human history and culture. From ancient oaks and great redwoods to lush banyans and imposing kapoks, The Tree Book reveals the anatomy, behaviors, and beauty of these incredible plants and habitats in detail. 

Combining natural history and a scientific overview with a wider look at the history, uses, symbolism, and mythology of trees, this book is a new kind of guide to these fascinating organisms. Register today to learn more about the beautiful world of trees!

About the Presenter:

Matthew Fleming has been a horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Facility in Suitland, Maryland since 2010. In addition to serving as a supervisory horticulturist, he manages three greenhouses with nearly a thousand tropical specimens that are displayed throughout the many Smithsonian gardens and landscapes along the National Mall during the warmer months. He has given talks on a wide variety of plant-related topics at the Smithsonian ranging from indoor pests to overwintering tropical plants.  Prior to coming to the Smithsonian, Matt was a purchasing agent and garden center assistant manager for a full-service landscaping firm.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences where he studied Horticulture and Landscape Contracting. 

This program is brought to you through the generosity of the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!

Check out more upcoming virtual author talks and enjoy recordings from past events by exploring our Friends Speaker Series page.

Reading Public Library

rdg@noblenet.org
Phone: 781-944-0840

Hours
We're closed Sunday July 20 due to Closed on Sundays during the summer
Mon, Jul 14 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jul 15 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jul 16 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jul 17 1:00PM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jul 18 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jul 19 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 20 Closed
(Closed on Sundays during the summer)


About the Library

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To ask questions about accessibility or request accommodations, please contact the library at rdgadmin@noblenet.org.

If the Reading Public schools are closed due to snow, all Children's programming will be canceled.

Upcoming Events

Wed, Jul 16, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Jul 16, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Reading Public Library - Library Lawn

Thu, Jul 17, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
This event is full

Fri, Jul 18, 10:00am - 11:00am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Fri, Jul 18, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Teen Space

Cancelled
Sat, Jul 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library

Mon, Jul 21, 10:00am - 11:30am
Reading Public Library - Studio

Mon, Jul 21, 10:00am - 10:45am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Jul 21, 11:15am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Tue, Jul 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Local History Room
This event is full

Tue, Jul 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Jul 23, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Jul 23, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B),Conference Room,Library Lawn

Wed, Jul 23, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Thu, Jul 24, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Thu, Jul 24, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Fri, Jul 25, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Outdoor Patio

Cancelled
Sat, Jul 26, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library

Sat, Jul 26, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Teen Space

Mon, Jul 28, 10:00am - 11:30am
Reading Public Library - Studio

Mon, Jul 28, 10:00am - 10:45am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Jul 28, 11:15am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Jul 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Tue, Jul 29, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Children's Room

Tue, Jul 29, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Tue, Jul 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Wed, Jul 30, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Thu, Jul 31, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B),Library Lawn

Fri, Aug 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
Reading Public Library - Local History Room
Please contact the library to register for this event.

Fri, Aug 01, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B),Library Lawn

Cancelled
Sat, Aug 02, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library

Sat, Aug 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Mon, Aug 04, 10:00am - 11:30am
Reading Public Library - Studio

Cancelled
Mon, Aug 04, 10:00am - 10:45am
Reading Public Library

Cancelled
Mon, Aug 04, 11:15am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library

Tue, Aug 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Local History Room
This event is full

Tue, Aug 05, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Thu, Aug 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Thu, Aug 07, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)
Registration opens Friday, July 18 2025 at 9:00am

Sat, Aug 09, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B),Conference Room,Library Lawn

Mon, Aug 11, 10:00am - 11:30am
Reading Public Library - Studio

Mon, Aug 11, 10:00am - 10:45am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Aug 11, 11:15am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Aug 11, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Tue, Aug 12, 7:30am - 9:00am
Reading Public Library - Library Parking Lot

Tue, Aug 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Aug 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Local History Room
This event is full

Thu, Aug 14, 10:00am - 11:00am
Reading Public Library - Library Parking Lot

Thu, Aug 14, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)
This event is full

Fri, Aug 15, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Fri, Aug 15, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Outdoor Patio
Registration opens Friday, August 1 2025 at 3:30pm