Have you read Richard Power's stupefyingly beautiful (like you) novel "Overstory"? It might answer some of the questions you have about trees.
That article about Clingstone is fantastic!
Would-be renters, Mr. Wood said, “must be able to swim, understand hurricanes, strong tides and outboards.”
and Clingstone eats women. I want to go for the work weekend! Maybe I would leave holding someone's hand.

And look what I found just yesterday in a box that has sat unopened in my basement for 20 years:

It's ALWAYS a pleasure to visit you.