Oaklore Adventures in a World of Extraordinary Trees

About this book

What connects Robin Hood, the history of ink, fungi, Shakespeare and sorcery?

In Oaklore, Jules Acton, an ambassador for The Woodland Trust, 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, its role as an essential ingredient in ink, and in mythology from across the British Isles as a sacred plant and precious resource.

Acton's infectious enthusiasm shines through in chapters that open with excerpts from oak-y poems, as well as tips for connecting with nature – like how to recognize bird songs and help moths and butterflies thrive. Meeting fellow oak-lovers along the way, and trees like Sherwood Forest's Medusa Oak or the gargantuan Marton Oak in Cheshire, Acton plots an unforgettable journey through the tangled roots of the oak's story, and that of Britain itself.

Contents

1. Doorways to Other Worlds
2. Wasps, Words and Oakspirations
3. Crowning Glories
4. Life, Death and Beetling About
5. Enchanted Forests: Folklore, Myth and Magic
6. Incredible Edibles: Health and Healing
7. Threats: Could a Beauty Be a Beast?
8. The Oak's Little Helpers. And Its Big Helpers

Conclusion
Some Fun Stuff
Acknowledgements
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Jules Acton – whose surname means 'oak town' – can trace her love of nature back to childhood. A former journalist, she has worked for the Woodland Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and WaterAid. She lives near Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, with her husband, Toby, and rescue dog, Pepe. This is her first book.