Trees have always played a very important role in my life, ever since I learned to love all the diversity of tropical trees in East Africa.  Baobabs, flame trees, jacarandas, grevilleas, mvule or African teak, thorn trees, and on and on.  I was taught that all these trees were absolutely vital, for habitat, to help prevent erosion, promote moisture retention, enrich the soil and generally to enhance the world for allother species!  In other words, trees are worthy of deep respect and merit great care. Artists have been some of the greatest admirers of trees. From early times, artists have drawn them, as portraits or in preparatory studies for paintings.