Explore the essentials of timber and fruit from a historic, practical perspective.
This concise, illustrated volume explains how plants and timber shaped building, industry, and daily life, while offering accessible profiles of trees, woods, and their uses in arts and domestic economy.
The book surveys forest resources, cultivation, and the wide variety of timber found in Britain and beyond. It blends botanical detail with real-world applications, from shipbuilding to carpentry, and includes notable historical examples to show timber’s impact on technology and society.
- Timber trees: key species, properties, and why certain woods excel in strength, durability, and workability
- Forests, planting, and the role of timber in economies and everyday life
- Practical uses of timber in buildings, bridges, ships, and tools
- Historical anecdotes illustrating timber’s influence on exploration and technology
Ideal for readers curious about natural history, woodworking, and the practical history of materials.