Eyewitness - Tree [VHS]
A fascinating and delightful documentary, donned with state-of-the-art special effects and stunning graphics,Treeis both an entertaining and educational exposition on these silent sentinels that make this world livable for so many life forms including ourselves. With the lovely voice of Martin Sheen narrating, this documentary is split into several sections, starting with how trees are found in mythologies from all cultures, and then going on to describe the three main types of trees: conifers, palm and broadleaf. Sheen gives a brief definition of what defines a tree from the sequoia to a bonsai before describing where trees are found on the planet, and why they don't grow at high altitudes or in the icy wastes of the Arctic poles. Learn about the many different resources trees provide, from life-saving medicines to timber for housing. Then learn about the life cycle and physiology of the tree. Detailed examples, such as the African acacia, which only flowers for one day once a year (at tea time), are chock-full of information. Above all, from this video you will gain a huge appreciation and respect for these stoic yet vulnerable creatures. Based on the revolutionary Eyewitness book series, Eyewitness videos are wonderful guides to natural history. There's also a five-minute "Making of" trailer that reveals the wizardry of producing theTreedocumentary.--Samantha Allen Storey