"This is oak country, and the oaks have that surprising variety of size and shape that only Cornwall and Devon oaks can offer. Smooth wooded hillsides, subtly mottled with the different greens or browns of individual oak-trees, sweep down to high-water mark." So begins Oliver Rackham's book covering 25 woods, predominantly in the north of the Lizard peninsula, including: Bonallack, Calamansack, Devichoys, Grambla, Gweek, Merthen, Reskymmer, Trelowarren, Tremayne and Treverry. He brings to life the curious industrial and cultural history of this unique area, and shows how these woods have survived and what the future may have in store.
About the Author
Oliver Rackham (1939-2015) was the pre-eminent botanist of his generation, whose work focused on trees and woodlands. He was the author of many books including The History of the Counryside. His final book was The Ash Tree, in Little Toller's nature monograph series.
