The British Oak

Description

THE BRITISH OAK is a comprehensive overview of everything that the iconic oak tree signifies to Britain and its people. Archie Miles explores the rise of oak woods since the last Ice Age, placing the tree in its biological, cultural and economic context. We still speak of the 'heart of oak' that built the British Empire, such is its importance in industry, architecture and shipbuilding, while the oak's role in myth, art and literature took root in early civilisation and remains a rich imaginative resource. Included are: - Profiles of fifty of the most famous oaks in Britain with remarkable facts, stories and historic associations. - An examination of the disease, management and conservation issues facing oaks now and in the future. - Stunning photography complemented by a rich vein of archive material, much of which is published for the first time since the nineteenth century. Praise for Archie Miles: Silva has to be one of the best country books of the year, combining the opulent quality of a coffee-table book with the depth of information of a reference work. Country Life.

Archie Miles has been a professional photographer for forty years. With an abiding passion for the British landscape, he has carved a specialist niche in the world of trees. He has written and photographed eight books on the subject.

One of the best country books of the year. - Country Life The perfect book to welcome in autumn, full of interesting nuggets... [Miles] has not stinted on the research. A great Christmas gift. - Saga Cream of the Christmas Book Crop: A large and sturdy cloth-covered hardback is a worthy receptacle for compendious information about our national tree. - Daily Telegraph Miles's book is a fitting tribute to this mystical, ancient and functional tree. - The Field beautifully illustrated and affectionate - BBC Wildlife