08/05/2026
I remember well my visit to Rowan’s farm almost a decade ago; I left informed and inspired! Even then, agroforestry was much talked about in the UK but here it was in practice and as a viable business and not simply a hobby. For all those interested in this subject, wherever home is, Heartwood is a compelling read.
— Geraint Richards, Head Forester to the Duchy of Cornwall and His Majesty The King
Rowan Reid’s Heartwood might be centred on an Australian family tree farm, but it has meaning for family forest owners around the world. Rowan’s passion for planting, tending, harvesting and utilizing trees has driven a life of research and hands-on management. His experience makes the case that conservation and harvesting for profit are not mutually exclusive, but in fact reinforce each other. A highly readable, personal biography of a family tree farm.
— Dr. John Bliss, Emeritus Starker Chair in Private and Family Forestry, Oregon State University, USA
In Call of the Reed Warbler, I described Rowan Reid has having had a greater impact than almost any other individual on envisioning, catalysing, and laying down a practical path for regenerative agroforestry in Australia. Heartwood clearly shows how his work as a scientist, educator, community leader, practitioner, and author has effectively re-defined the disciplines of agroforestry and farm forestry, cementing their place in the emerging realm of regenerative agriculture.
— Charles Massy, author of Call of the Reed Warbler
Rowan’s farm is the future - more resilient, more productive, more rewarding and more beautiful. And that’s what shines through in Heartwood. On the surface, it’s a solid how-to guide to growing trees on farms. But below it, it’s a book that grew in a rich soil - the soil of Rowan’s love for what he does.
— Patrick Worms, Science Policy Advisor, CIFOR-ICRAF, former President, International Union of Agroforestry
I first met Rowan in 1983 when he worked with our agroforestry research team at the Forest Research Institute in Rotorua. I later visited his farm in 1991 and have followed his work ever since. There are very few forest growers in the world who, like Rowan, have so passionately and successfully dedicated their working life to establishing an array of tree species then managing them right through to the finished product, as so wonderfully documented in Heartwood.
— Jeff Tombleson, Former research scientist, now forest owner, New Zealand
Rowan has a rare gift for making the complex world of forestry and the technical properties of wood feel clear, accessible, and genuinely engaging. His farming heritage, scientific training, and handson experience in tree growing and wood processing shine through on every page. He writes with clarity, practicality, and deep respect for the land. If you own property, grow trees, work with wood, or simply want to understand them all better, this book is not just a great read it’s an essential reference.
— Rob de Fegely AM, Forest Scientist
I don’t get much time to read however this book, a gift from a wonderful friend, is one of the most informative books I’ve read in years. If you work with Australian Timbers, or simply love trees, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the process of growing trees for use in furniture or joinery.
— Christian Cole, Christian Cole Furniture, Melbourne
Rowan has this wonderful way of combining the science, theory and practice of tree growing on farms so that it is relevant to farmers. I have watched how he, and his trees, have both inspired and challenged farmers of all types, from all around the world.
— Andrew Stewart, Farmer, Bob Hawke Landcare Award winner 2020, Otway Ranges.
Thank you to Geraint Richards (UK), Charles Massy (Aus), Jeff Tombleson (NZ), Patrick Worms (Belgium), John Bliss (USA), Christian COle (Aus), Rob de Fegely (Aus) and my great friend Andrew Stewart from the next valley for their support for the new paperback edition of Heartwood. (Their comments are printed in the book).
I like to think our own farm experience here in Australia, my dive into the science of growing trees and stories from my travels around Australia and the world working with farmers will be of interest to farmers, tree-growers and foresters around the globe.
See comments for links to purchase Heartwood or attend a tour of our Bambra Agroforestry Farm
Rowan Reid
