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Author Talk: Matthew Fleming

Stories, Science, and History of Trees

2025-04-08 14:00:00 2025-04-08 15:00:00 America/New_York Author Talk: Matthew Fleming Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world. Virtual: Library Speakers Consortium -

Tuesday, April 08
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-04-08 14:00:00 2025-04-08 15:00:00 America/New_York Author Talk: Matthew Fleming Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world. Virtual: Library Speakers Consortium -

Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world.

Join us as Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world—The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees.

Trees occur naturally throughout the world and have been a part of human history for almost as long as humans have existed. Used for shelter, tools, fuel, and food, they also help supply the atmosphere with oxygen and form astonishingly diverse ecosystems, as well as some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Now the intricate world of leafy woodlands and abundant rainforests is revealed in this extensive visual guide to trees, exploring their key scientific traits and their ecological importance, as well as their enduring significance in human history and culture. From ancient oaks and great redwoods to lush banyans and imposing kapoks, The Tree Book reveals the anatomy, behaviors, and beauty of these incredible plants and habitats in detail. 

Combining natural history and a scientific overview with a wider look at the history, uses, symbolism, and mythology of trees, this book is a new kind of guide to these fascinating organisms. Register today to learn more about the beautiful world of trees!

About the Presenter: Matthew Fleming has been a horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Facility in Suitland, Maryland since 2010. In addition to serving as a supervisory horticulturist, he manages three greenhouses with nearly a thousand tropical specimens that are displayed throughout the many Smithsonian gardens and landscapes along the National Mall during the warmer months. He has given talks on a wide variety of plant-related topics at the Smithsonian ranging from indoor pests to overwintering tropical plants.  Prior to coming to the Smithsonian, Matt was a purchasing agent and garden center assistant manager for a full-service landscaping firm.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences where he studied Horticulture and Landscape Contracting. 

 
 

 

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Orange County Library System.

AGE GROUP: | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Authors - Books - Writing |

TAGS: | meettheauthor | epd | bb-meet-the-author |

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Virtual: Peel Back the Pages Instagram Book Club
Tue, Mar 31, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us as we discuss the book Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh.
Online: Unreal Engine 5 Blueprint Fundamentals - 4 Parts Blueprints Programming Class Series
Tue, Mar 31, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Join us and create a third-person character while learning the UE5 editor interface, Blueprint basics, third-person character setup, and the Enhanced Input System.
Spanish from Zero - Basics with Ms. Brenda
Tue, Mar 31, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish A1-A2) Come and learn basic Spanish with Ms. Brenda.
Online: Audio Studio Orientation
Tue, Mar 31, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Take the first step towards audio recording. Tour the Audio Studio and explore the training options available. Learn the studio workflow, procedures and best practices.
This event is full
Spanish from Zero - Intermediate with Brenda
Tue, Mar 31, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish B1) Come and learn Spanish grammar with Ms. Brenda.
Spanish From Zero for Beginners with Ms. Brenda
Tue, Mar 31, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish A0) Learn and use Spanish for the first time with Ms. Brenda.
Cancelled
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Training - Presented by Victim Service Center of Central Florida
Tue, Mar 31, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Join Victim Service Center of Central Florida for this training on how to understand, recognize, and prevent sexual assault. Registration required. 
Online Class: Crochet Illusion Heart Square (4 Parts) - Intermediate
Wed, Apr 01, 10:00am - 11:30am
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Use mosaic techniques to create this illusion square: from one direction it's stripes, and from another, it's a heart! Join us for this guided series to expand your crochet skills.
Virtual: Writing Clearly Advanced
Wed, Apr 01, 10:30am - 11:30am
Virtual ESL Room 2
Join us on ZOOM to practice academic style writing along with more complex vocabulary.
Discover America: South Dakota! - Find your ancestors AND their records!
Wed, Apr 01, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual Room - West Oaks
Join us on a virtual road trip! We will explore the history, the culture and the genealogical resources that are unique to each state! Recommended for Adults. Registration required.
Virtual Event: Knit and Crochet Meetup with Raegan
Wed, Apr 01, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Have a great time mingling with other Central Florida fiber artists while working on your craft. Be sure to bring your work in progress, yarn and tools. All levels are welcome.
Virtual Event: Practica Spanish for Seniors and Beyond
Wed, Apr 01, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
Practica tu español! Develop your Spanish language skills through conversation. Conversational topics and themed vocabulary will be provided. Recommended for seniors and adults.
Online: Unreal Engine 5 Blueprint Fundamentals - 4 Parts Blueprints Programming Class Series
Wed, Apr 01, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Join us and create a third-person character while learning the UE5 editor interface, Blueprint basics, third-person character setup, and the Enhanced Input System.
Online: Intro to Adobe Illustrator
Wed, Apr 01, 5:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn what this powerful vector application is capable of.
All-Levels Yoga
Wed, Apr 01, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual Room - EPD
Get moving with this energizing and relaxing yoga sequence for all-levels. Tap into the strength, balance, flexibility and relaxation that your body can provide you.
Online: Adobe Acrobat 101: Create and Edit PDFs
Thu, Apr 02, 10:00am - 10:45am
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn the fundamentals of Adobe Acrobat, the differences between Pro and DC versions, and their many features.
Hand Sewing Sashiko Patterns: Usagi Rabbit (3-Part) - Confident Beginner Level
Thu, Apr 02, 10:15am - 11:15am
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Learn to stitch using Sashiko hand sewing techniques. This Japanese hand sewing technique uses the simple running stitch to form geometric patterns.
This event is full
Virtual: English Conversation Hour
Thu, Apr 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
Join us to practice your English speaking skills with us on a virtual English Conversation Hour. Each session will have specific topics for discussion. Register today!
Online: Fundamentals of Sound for Audio Engineering
Thu, Apr 02, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Explore the fundamentals of sound theory. Discuss how the physics of sound affects recordings. Learn key digital audio concepts, including sample rate, bit depth and file types. (tic101)
Author Talk: Valerie Neal - On a Mission: The History of US Women Astronauts
Thu, Apr 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Join us for an exhilarating journey through the history of US women astronauts with Valerie Neal, emerita curator from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and expert on human spaceflight.Register
Online: Unreal Engine 5 Blueprint Fundamentals - 4 Parts Blueprints Programming Class Series
Thu, Apr 02, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Join us and create a third-person character while learning the UE5 editor interface, Blueprint basics, third-person character setup, and the Enhanced Input System.
High School Advisory Board Meeting - Teen Volunteering
Thu, Apr 02, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual Room - Youth Services 1
Earn community service by collaborating with your peers to test out new programs, brainstorm new library services, and more! Recommended for students in grades 9-12.
Online Class: Adobe Photoshop - Black & White Effects
Thu, Apr 02, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Make photos pop with black and white effects. Learn multiple ways to convert photos to black and white, apply adjustment layers and create enhancing effects.
Virtual: Writing Clearly Beginner
Thu, Apr 02, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
Join us for a virtual meeting using ZOOM where we will focus on the parts of speech, the organization of sentences, and vocabulary building.
Online Class: Adobe Photoshop - Layer Blending Modes
Thu, Apr 02, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Apply blending modes to image layers to quickly fix problems with exposure, shadows and highlights. Learn to use blending modes to generate artistic and creative effects on photos.
Virtual: Intermediate Adult French
Fri, Apr 03, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual Room - Windermere
This class is structured for people who have had previous exposure to or instruction in French but are not, at the present time, fully fluent. Recommended for adults.
Online: Unity - Visual Scripting
Fri, Apr 03, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Program a first-person player character to move, rotate, look around and jump using Unity’s visual scripting tools.
Online Class: Embroidery: Stumpwork Dragonfly (2 Days) - Confident Beginner Level
Fri, Apr 03, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Learn to use wire to make your embroidery jump off the hoop while stitching a beautiful dragonfly.
Writing Workshop: Emotional Description
Fri, Apr 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual Room - EPD
Author and Editor Lorin Oberweger will take you through techniques to help you create a rich emotional experience for your reader.
This event is full
WikiTree: Turning Your Research into Shared History
Sat, Apr 04, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual Room - West Oaks
Special guest speaker Taneya Koonce leads our WikiTree seminar, showing genealogists how to document, connect & strengthen their research using the world’s largest collaborative family tree.
Writing a Short Film
Sat, Apr 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual Room - EPD
Short films are a great project for first-time filmmakers or someone who wants a bite-sized side project. Telly award-winning filmmaker Jennie Jarvis will give an introduction to writing a short film.
Cancelled
Sunday Bunch Brunch!
Sun, Apr 05, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Your ancestors are calling—just before lunch. Join us from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to swap stories, solve genealogy puzzles, and share research tips with fellow family history enthusiasts.
Speaking Clearly Advanced
Mon, Apr 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Virtual ESL Room 2
Improve your English speaking and pronunciation skills. Intended for advanced English language learners. Recommended ages 18 & up.
Knitting: Leaf Coasters (2-Part) - Confident Beginner Level
Mon, Apr 06, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Knit leaf coasters are a quick way to use up scrap yarn and practice knitting in the round with double-pointed needles.
Registration is now closed
Preschool Storytime: Virtual Let's Learn Letters and Numbers
Mon, Apr 06, 11:00am - 11:40am
Virtual Room - Alafaya
Preschoolers will delight in interactive stories, songs, and rhymes that inspire a love of reading and build early literacy skills. Recommended for ages 3–5.
Speaking Clearly Beginners
Mon, Apr 06, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
Speaking Clearly is a pronunciation class for beginners designed to introduce learners to the basics of the sounds of English for pronunciation.
Knitting - Level 1
Mon, Apr 06, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Start knitting today! Learn basic techniques while creating your first project, a bookmark for your favorite read. Techniques include casting on, the knit stitch and binding off.
Online: Creative Skills Bootcamp
Mon, Apr 06, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
This jam-packed, 90-minute session is designed to empower you with the resources and knowledge to meet your basic creative needs (graphic design, video, etc.), followed by an open-ended Q&A.
English for Social Interactions
Mon, Apr 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
This class will cover a wide array of topics from accepting and rejecting an invitation to engaging in small talk with strangers. Recommended for those with a basic understanding of English.
Virtual Event: Knit and Crochet Meetup with Alafaya
Mon, Apr 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual Room - Alafaya
Have a great time mingling with other Central Florida fiber artists while working on your craft. Be sure to bring your work in progress, yarn and tools. All levels are welcome.
Exploración Tecnológica: Instagram - Spanish Immersion with Ms. Brenda
Mon, Apr 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Online Technology Classroom 2
Consulta de como navegar y usar las herramientas básicas encontradas en la aplicación de Instagram
Online: Create a Third-Person Game - Unity - 10 Parts Class Series
Mon, Apr 06, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
This ten-part class series teaches the essential skills to develop a third-person exploration game in Unity.
Online Class: Microsoft PowerPoint Level 1
Mon, Apr 06, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Room - Windermere
Identify the basic features and tools to get you started. Learn how to create a presentation by using templates, text, and picture files.
Online: Adobe Acrobat 101: Create and Edit PDFs
Mon, Apr 06, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn the fundamentals of Adobe Acrobat, the differences between Pro and DC versions, and their many features.
Bilingual Conversations with Ms. Brenda
Mon, Apr 06, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
Bilingual (Spanish / English) Conversational Interactions with Ms. Brenda
Top Five Organizing Rules for a Clutter-Free Spring
Mon, Apr 06, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Virtual Room - EPD
Join bestselling author and expert organizer Jamie Novak as she shares five simple rules that make organizing a breeze and one rule you’ll love breaking.
Basic English 1
Mon, Apr 06, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
This class is designed for students with a beginner level knowledge of English. Practice basic vocabulary and grammar.
Preschool Storytime: Virtual Pajama Party
Mon, Apr 06, 7:00pm - 7:40pm
Virtual Room - Alafaya
Preschoolers will delight in interactive stories, songs, and rhymes that inspire a love of reading and build early literacy skills. Recommended for ages 3–5.
Online: Logo Design and Development using Adobe Illustrator
Tue, Apr 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn best practices for logo design by making a simple but effective logo in Illustrator.
Spanish from Zero - Intermediate with Brenda
Tue, Apr 07, 10:15am - 11:15am
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish B1) Come and learn Spanish grammar with Ms. Brenda.
Virtual: Writing Clearly Intermediate
Tue, Apr 07, 10:30am - 11:30am
Virtual ESL Room 2
Join us for a virtual meeting using ZOOM where we will focus on grammar for complex ideas, including sentence structures, paragraph, and essay writing. 
Spanish From Zero for Beginners with Ms. Brenda
Tue, Apr 07, 11:30am - 12:15pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish A0) Learn and use Spanish for the first time with Ms. Brenda.
Library Board of Trustees Meeting - Personnel Committee Meeting
Tue, Apr 07, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Library Board of Trustees - Personnel Committee Meeting
Citizenship Inspired (4-Session Series)
Tue, Apr 07, 2:00pm - 3:45pm
Virtual Room - Citizenship Inspired
During this 4-session program, students will meet to prepare for the U.S. Naturalization (Citizenship) Test and Interview. 4/7 Session 1; 4/8 Session 2; 4/14 Session 3; 4/15 Session 4.
Virtual: Peel Back the Pages Instagram Book Club
Tue, Apr 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us as we discuss the book Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab.
Online Class: Microsoft Excel - Data Management Level 1
Tue, Apr 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Learn how to use advanced sort and filter options; apply data validation and other data tools to organize your data.
Spanish from Zero - Basics with Ms. Brenda
Tue, Apr 07, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish A1-A2) Come and learn basic Spanish with Ms. Brenda.
Online: Create a Third-Person Game - Unity - 10 Parts Class Series
Tue, Apr 07, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
This ten-part class series teaches the essential skills to develop a third-person exploration game in Unity.
Online Class: Microsoft Excel - Data Management Level 2
Tue, Apr 07, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Learn how to apply data subtotals, outlines, data consolidation and conditional formatting to organize your data.
Virtual: Basic English 2
Tue, Apr 07, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Room - Windermere
This class is designed for students with a high-beginner to intermediate level of English. Continue to practice basic vocabulary and grammar.
Online: Product Mockups Made Easy: 3D with Adobe Stager
Tue, Apr 07, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Create photorealistic product mockups of branded merchandise using this intuitive 3D application.
Spanish from Zero - Intermediate with Brenda
Tue, Apr 07, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish B1) Come and learn Spanish grammar with Ms. Brenda.
Spanish From Zero for Beginners with Ms. Brenda
Tue, Apr 07, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish A0) Learn and use Spanish for the first time with Ms. Brenda.
Literary Agent Red Flags and Green Flags - Traditional Publishing Boot Camp
Tue, Apr 07, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual Room - EPD
What should you be looking for when you search for a literary agent? New York Times bestselling author Ginny Myers Sain will discuss what qualities to look for -- and look out for -- in an agent.
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