Oaklore
Adventures in a World of Extraordinary Trees
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Greystone Books,Canada
Published:5th Sep '24
Should be back in stock very soon
‘A JOYFUL AND IMAGINATIVE EXPLORATION OF THESE TOTEMIC TREES.’ Tristan Gooley, author of How to Read a Tree
‘Jules Acton’s woodland wisdom is infectious ... the joyful verve with which [she] imparts wisdom gathered in the wild is impossible to resist.’ Observer
The perfect gift for anyone who loves trees, Oaklore – from Woodland Trust Ambassador Jules Acton – explores the incredibly diverse history of the ‘king of the woods’: from a source of food and shelter to its use in literature as a plot device and muse, and in mythology as a sacred plant and precious resource.
A charming exploration of one of our most important trees, Oaklore invites readers to embark on a journey of discovery, unveiling the role of oaks in English literature and mythology, and the myriad of life that thrives within their branches and bark: from their feathered denizens to the intricate communities of insects, fungi, and lichens.
Environmentalist and Woodland Trust Ambassador Jules Acton skillfully shares her personal experiences of wandering in the woods alongside scientific insights and cultural histories. Meeting fellow oak-lovers along the way, and trees like Sherwood Forest’s Medusa Oak, the gargantuan Marton Oak in Cheshire and Lincolnshire’s Bowthorpe Oak in (which some estimates say is more than 1,000 years old), Acton plots an unforgettable journey through the tangled roots of the oak’s story, and that of Britain itself.
Acton encourages a deeper connection during our own woodland walk by learning to recognize bird songs and observing the moss and butterflies that thrive in the presence of oaks.
Powerfully arguing that ancient oaks deserve the same rights as ancient buildings, Oaklore underscores the urgent need to protect the oak tree and the vibrant, interconnected worlds it sustains. Acton's narrative serves as a call to action, inspiring readers to engage in conservation efforts and foster a deeper appreciation for the oak's vital role in the delicate web of life.
"With a plethora of nature books around, it can be very easy to miss a gem. And a gem is what Oaklore is. This is a very delightful delve into the world of the oak tree... and it uncovers a wealth of information that will keep you engaged from first to last."
—Bird Watching Magazine
"This enthusiastic and colourful account of the oak is laced with fascinating details [...] [t]he prose is chatty and approachable, and the contents wide-ranging and delightfully eclectic"
—Scottish Field
"Acton's adoration of her subject is evident throughout. [...] her writing is engaging and conversational in style but rich and detailed in its content."
—The Field Magazine
“As rich, satisfying and revelatory as a long walk in the woods.”
—Peter Wohlleben, author of the New York Times bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees
“[T]he joyful verve with which Acton imparts wisdom gathered in the wild is impossible to resist.”
—The Observer
"[C]omprehensive and delightful....loaded with fascinating insights and anecdotes....Clever and utterly charming, Oaklore is a creative study of one of Britain’s most distinctive and important trees."
—Foreword, STARRED review
“What a joy to revel in the multifaceted world of our most iconic tree”
—Chris Beardshaw
“A treasure trove of information about the one tree everyone knows (or thinks they do), Oaklore is written with deep knowledge and an admirably light touch.”
—Lev Parikian, author of Taking Flight
“Oaklore takes us on a botanical exploration, during which we cover vast ground. Acton introduces us to an array of biodiversity that live and flourish on these stately trees—from roots to canopy, she deftly illustrates how oaks are "doorways into other worlds." The science in Oaklore is rich and approachable, covering everything from oaks and birdsong to wasp factories in branches. I am in awe of the oaken world around us!”
—Lyndsie Bourgon, author of Tree Thieves
"A joyful and imaginative exploration of these totemic trees."
—Tristan Gooley, How to Read a Tree
ISBN: 9781771649667
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
264 pages