Garrett Rossi Knox, a new and upcoming author from Manvel, held a book signing event on November 2 for his new book, Big Trees of Manvel, A Field Guide to Manvel’s Oldest and Largest Trees. The event took place at his family’s home in rural Manvel.
The 140 acres of woods served as the ideal location for the event that was being held. At the same time as a string duet was playing in the background, guests were mingling amid the ancient trees and enjoying picnic lunches consisting of barbecue sandwiches.
Under a gazebo that was shrouded in dense vines and other forms of vegetation, Knox met and greeted guests and autographed books.
On the land that has been in his family since the early 1900s, Knox, who is now 21 years old, was born and reared with his family.
During the early stages of Manvel’s growth, his family took up residence on the land that is now occupied by him, making him the fourth generation to live there. It was his grandfather, Sam Rossi Jr., who instilled in him a deep appreciation for trees.
Knox described how he and his grandfather would frequently go for walks together around the enormous area that was home to thousands of trees.
In the course of their stroll, his grandfather imparted knowledge to him regarding the trees and the significance of taking care of them.
Rossi, who was in his early twenties at the time, was the one who planted the trees on the property. He was very careful to explain their history and provide his grandson with instructions on how to care for them.
Knox’s grandfather passed away in 2022, and it was at this time that he came to the realization that he had a responsibility to continue to care for the trees and educate others about the role that trees play in the scheme of things for humans.
He stated that large trees are important and have to be conserved. The advantages of old trees include advantages that are not available with fresh trees. When people tear down trees and plant new ones, they do not take into account the amount of history that an ancient tree can provide.
The point he is trying to make is that trees should be treasured and cared for rather than being cut down for the purpose of developing property, which is something that frequently occurs in land development.
Throughout the book, he makes the statement that “These trees are much more than a backyard shade tree.” We will carry them forward. “They are a part of our history, our present, and, if we are fortunate, they will also be a part of our future.”
About a year ago, Knox started working on the book by reaching out to residents of Manvel who had enormous trees that were of significant significance on their property. His visits to the proprietors of the trees resulted in the recording of their stories.
It was he who took photographs of each tree after measuring it. It was his intention to convey the stories of the trees, as well as the owners’ feelings of pride and care for them.
The narratives in this book are all about trees, and they are presented in a succession. It includes anecdotes about the origins of the trees and the fond memories that they have offered for the families that are responsible for their care and maintenance respectively.
There are vivid photographs on each page, as well as information about the dimensions and ages of the enormous trees.
Not only does Knox intend to document the histories and aesthetic qualities of the trees, but he also intends to educate people in the hope that they will be preserved for future generations.
“Trees are the lifeblood of our planet, a link to our past, and the anchor of our community,” he says in his book. “Trails are the anchor of our community.”
The young author takes regular strolls through the 100-acre forests that are located on his property. During these walks, he contemplates the magnificence of the trees and his responsibility to protect them.
The preservation of trees in regions that are undergoing commercial development is part of his purpose, which includes reaching out to the city and its residents.
As Knox puts it, “We need to encourage developers to go around the 200-year-old oaks rather than cutting them down rather than cutting them down.” Because we are a town, it is still our responsibility to remember what came before us.
Because Knox has such a strong conviction in his work, he decided to self-publish the book and use his own money to conduct research and produce the project. Big Trees of Alvin is the name of his upcoming book, which is now in the process of being written.
Live Oak Publishing Texas is the website where you can find additional information as well as the option to purchase books. The words of Knox are as follows: “It is not about me, it is about the trees.”