Only God Can Make a Tree

Zine
Title:	Only God Can Make a Tree
Publisher:	TUCOP Publications
Editor:
Author(s):	Daniel Wolpe
Cover Artist(s):	Alex Meerovich
Illustrator(s):	Alex Meerovich
Date(s):	1982
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
Language:	English
External Links:
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Only God Can Make a Tree is a gen Star Trek: TOS novel by Daniel Wolpe.

Summary: Kirk and Spock must defeat the Klingon sabotage on a Federation planet. But are the Klingons truly responsible for this mischief? Also, Chekov sentenced to death. How does the brave lieutenant get out of trouble this time?

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  front cover

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  inside pages

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  back cover

Reactions and Reviews

I am told the idea for Daniel Wolpe's ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE originated before he saw STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KAHN. If so, Daniel must think along the same lines as Harve Bennett.

The plot of Tucop's novelette has THE ENTERPRISE investigating sabotage on a man-made planet. The true plot of the book deals with the main characters' reactions to the fact that man is now powerful enough to create his own planet. That, by far, is the best part of the book. While Kirk (in particular) wrestles with the morality of the situation, Spock and McCoy are kidnapped by Klingons that are aligned with Romulans while Scotty is defending Chekov against a trumped-up charge. (He was Chided into drinking a drink that drives Earthmen crazy by the Klingons; he was ignorant as to how the drink [Yartley] affects Humans.) The whole subplot of Chekov was silly and the book would have been tighter had Mr. Wolpe had the good sense to drop it. However, one of the author's faults as far as STAR TREK stories are concerned is that he feels that all of the major characters (or as many as possible) must have substantial parts.

The subplot of Spock and McCoy was done well, with Wolpe using his talent of keeping the characters in character to help them exchange a few choice words with each other. (I must confess that in Daniel's stories, I am always quite taken with his portrayal of McCoy and Spock.) The interchange between the two characters isn't as serious as it was in his last novelette, THE CRESTFALLEN BOMBER, but is done with equally good taste.

There are some small parts which shine like beacons in this story. For example, when the bridge crew discusses how "all cultures give us something of worth", they remind us that there is another side to both the Klingon and Romulan empires. Still, the highlight of ONLY GOD CAN

MAKE A TREE is Kirk's inner battle with" the idea of a man-made planet. There is very fine insight into his character in those passages, and even Spock learns something new about his best friend. In short, although O.C.C.M.A.T. has several shortcomings, if you are a Kirk-fan, it is well worth it. Should you ever get the chance to read or buy ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE, I would take advantage of it.