Melanie Choukas-Bradley is the author of Sugarloaf: The Mountain's History, Geology, and Natural Lore (Virginia) and An Illustrated Guide to Eastern Woodland Wildflowers and Trees (Virginia). She is a long-time contributor to the Washington Post, a field botany instructor for the USDA Graduate School, and a field trip leader for the Audubon Naturalist Society. Polly Alexander lives in Essex Junction, Vermont, with her husband and son. Since City of Trees was first published in 1981, she has worked at an advertising agency, owned a graphic design firm, and illustrated numerous books and articles.