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Thursday 2 September 2010
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Ancient Trees, Living LandscapesMuir, RichardOxbow says: As the editor of the journal Landscapes, and writer of numerous books including The Landscape Encyclopedia, Landscape Detective and New Reading the Landscape, Richard Muir has earned himself a great reputation in the field of landscape studies. His newest book, Ancient Trees, Living Landscapes focuses on trees as a means of exploring the countryside and communities that inhabited it. With most of the examples taken from northern Britain and, to a lesser extent, southern Scotland, he examines trees as a vital component on any landscape. The early part of the book addresses the preconception that the prehistoric landscape of Britain was smothered in a dense covering of woodland, discussing how woodland has always been manipulated and adapted to man's needs. Muir then turns to more recent times, to what he terms 'landmark trees' - trees that have become noteworthy for various reasons and which appear in documents, on maps, in paintings and so forth. The function of trees and hedgerows in the landscape is also considered, as he explores beyond their aesthetic qualities. The creation of parklands and forests from the 18th century onwards is covered in detail, with examples of aesthetic and therapeutic landscapes from the major designers of the day. Later chapters look at the life and work of the 'men of the forest', at woodland folk, crafts and industry. Finally, Muir turns to the symbolic properties of trees, links between trees and popular myth and legend, at woodlands of the mind and the 'pervasive and potent' mental imagery created by them. 256p, b/w figs and pls, 23 col pls (Tempus 2005, Pb 2006) 
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