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.