Some trees have stood beyond their botanical existence as emblems of profound human experience and milestones. Amongst them, an apple tree inspired Isaac Newton to formulate his theory of gravity and a peepal tree helped Gautama Buddha attain enlightenment. These iconic trees continue to stand as a living testimony to pivotal moments in history.All trees stand at the juncture of science and spirituality, and ecology and eternity. Who else would know it better than Peepal Baba, who got a popular identity for his relentless campaign in planting and nurturing millions of trees over the past five decades. Ghosts on Peepal Trees is the memoir of Swami Prem Parivartan, alias Peepal Baba, which offers an absorbing tutorial on every aspect of trees, from seed to shade.Scattered notesDrawn from handwritten notes and scattered observations written over years, the author pools together the stories of his intense engagement with a wide diversity of trees in his journey across the country’s 21 States and 226 districts. Under the aegis of Give Me Trees, a movement was generated as an act of eco-philosophy — ‘we inhale what the trees exhale, and humans live because trees exist’. Trees have existed long before humans and may do so till all lifeform persists.At a time when the development juggernaut is destroying trees to erect concrete jungles, planting and nurturing trees can be a humble vocation that can be pursued by right-minded people. It is not just a hobby but a vocation that connects science with spirituality. Ghosts on Peepal Tree is more than a memoir, it is a transformative narrative that connects and inspires. It educates the reader that a tree is a living piece of ecological infrastructure, that offers free climate regulation and biodiverse services.Science of treesWhile the peepal as a tree is revered, the awe for the species is based on scientific facts. It is perhaps the only tree species that emits oxygen during night. Unlike other trees, the peepal doesn’t rest. A special adaptation measure called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism helps absorb carbon dioxide during night. As the sun rises the next day, this stored carbon dioxide is used for photosynthesis. This makes peepal scientifically extraordinary, a keystone species in the tropical ecosystem.In addition, it absorbs as much as 20 kg of carbon dioxide during the year and releases no less than 300 litres of oxygen daily. Not only that, this tree is distinct for its ability in combining three types of rooting systems that makes it a living cathedral of wood and wisdom, sustaining under diverse situations.Influenced by the teachings of Osho, the author dismantles many myths around trees with logically argued facts. The book celebrates trees as natural creativity. The myth about ghosts on peepal were actually lessons in how faith protects forests. It further proves how simple acts of care protect trees, even in the absence of formal mechanisms or structures. These messages reach out to millions through the author’s social media platforms.Ghosts on Peepal Trees is a veritable treatise on trees, that cultivates empathy and sensitivity towards trees. Walking under the canopy of trees, little does one realise that one is walking under a cathedral of oxygen. Each story in the book reads like a research paper. It connects with the virtues of trees, and inspires the reader into the act of nurturing trees. It is experiential writing at its best, educating and inspiring. It is more than a book of stories.The stories in the book are symbols of our existence, woven through our culture, scriptures, myths and memories. The book helps us fall in love with biodiversity, and to take small steps that generate greenery. In the author’s words: ‘It is a memoir of exploration, of ghosts and angels, of trees and teachers, and of the quiet miracle of existence’.The reviewer is an independent writer, researcher and academicPublished on July 19, 2026