Conifers have an image problem because they are seen as dull and even as trouble makers in the eyes of the general public. They seem to be only green without colourful flowers, they create intrusive hedges and are even used to destroy nature by their plantations covering the heaths and moors. After intensive study involving 25 years and many trips around the world I know better, but of course the challenge is to get my message across. This lecture and the book with the same title are both attempts to achieve that goal.

Conifers are one of the most amazing groups of plants in the world! Their diversity is disproportionally great for only 630 species and they occur almost everywhere, including in the hot tropics. I hope that the lecture will open eyes and if you are then not yet convinced, the book will probably do it because it is full of amazing facts and exiting stories and the publisher Timber Press have done a very nice job to make it as attractive as possible.