Professional Milestones
My book at 23 years old
David Santos Salvador
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The Tree That changed History
They say that creating something of your own is one of life’s most wonderful feelings. In your hands, you don’t just hold a creation—you hold the result of countless hours, of many sleepless nights where only one thing existed in your mind. You gently hold your purest expression.
And I can confirm it.
But let’s be realistic—this isn’t a book in the traditional sense.
It’s not like other books.
Why?
Let me give you an example:
Let’s imagine a fictional artist named Paquita. Paquita is an artist with five years of experience across all kinds of painting—except one: acrylic painting.
In a new role, she’s tasked with creating a piece using acrylics. Though her art has taken countless forms, and despite never having used this medium before, she’s confident she can manage. This new project is about applying her well-honed ability to express her art—but in a different form than she’s used to.
Paquita decides to take on this task not as just another assignment, but as a personal challenge. After four months of hard work and continuous feedback, she produces a piece that surprises the client.
And although she first thought the project was a technical, imposed and soulless one, she discovered a new way of expressing her creativity: acrylic painting.
Well, I am Paquita.
My name is David Santos. As part of the “Unique Trees of Granada” Project, I was asked to produce a book compiling data on these remarkable trees, outlining the characteristics that earned them the title of “unique”. At first, I saw it as just another entry in my portfolio—technical, scientific, professional, and with only as much soul as I could reasonably give it.
But, over time, I came to realise that these kinds of projects also have soul. They, too, deserve to be treated as pure forms of expression.
Did you know that one of the trees featured is called The Queen’s Laurel?
According to legend, Queen Isabella once hid behind this very tree to escape a group of Nasrid soldiers—an event that ultimately saved her life. And just imagine how history might have changed had she been caught. This tree, therefore, holds the title of uniqueness due to its historical significance.
How did I write a book at 23 years old?
Thanks to this project, I discovered one of the trees that truly changed the course of history—giving soul and depth to the entire project.
So, without taking up too much of your time, my book was part of a broader project carried out in collaboration with the University of Granada and the Provincial Nursery of Granada. As part of our aim to disseminate knowledge and communicate our work, I wrote this book—my second professional project—which filled me with pride and confidence.