Ancient Oaks in the English Landscape

A lovingly thorough tribute to one of England's great natural treasures: ancient oaks.

The ancient native oaks of England are a national treasure, beautiful and beloved. And England has more of them than the rest of Europe combined. How did it happen that, as Europe was deforested over the course of centuries, England preserved so many ancient trees? Ancient Oaks in the English Landscape answers that question, going back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. As Aljos Farjon explains, the Norman nobility created royal forests and parks where only they could hunt game--and where, to protect that game, it was forbidden to cut trees. Thus, centuries before the modern conservation movement, these now-ancient trees were preserved.

Bringing together history and science, Farjon tells this compelling story in the new edition of Ancient Oaks in the English Landscape, illustrating it throughout with stunning photographs, maps of modern oak populations, and new research. The result is a beautiful, fitting celebration of England's ancient oaks and the biodiversity they represent and foster.


Author: Aljos Farjon
Publisher: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Published: 09/08/2023
Pages: 356
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 3.75lbs
Size: 10.31h x 8.66w x 1.10d
ISBN13: 9781842467664
ISBN10: 1842467662
BISAC Categories:
- History | Europe | Great Britain | General
- Science | Life Sciences | Botany
- Nature | Plants | Trees

About the Author
Aljos Farjon is an honorary research associate at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the author of numerous books and articles.