Oak: From Seed to Ancient Tree

From the photographer of Ancient Trees, a tribute to the best-loved tree of all: the oak

The oak tree is one of nature’s most majestic creations, sacred to Zeus and Thor, capable of growing to a tremendous size and living for hundreds of years. It is also an ecosystem unto itself, sheltering and nourishing countless species of birds, mammals, insects, plants, and fungi.

In this breathtaking volume, acclaimed tree portraitist Beth Moon, photographer of the best-selling Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time, pays tribute to the oak. She presents three rich and interconnected series of images: First, the ancient oaks of the United Kingdom and Europe, gnarled and knobby giants that have survived through the centuries in parks, preserves, and private estates. Second, the sprawling live oaks of the American South, often planted in monumental allées, or canopied avenues. And third, acorns caught in the moment of sprouting, each unfolding in its own pattern, revealing the promise of new life.

An essay on the natural history of oaks by Todd Forrest of the New York Botanical Garden, as well as a poetic text by Moon tracing the life cycle of the oak, complement the gorgeous hand-tinted photographs. Oak: From Seed to Ancient Tree will be treasured by all nature lovers.

Beth Moon, a photographer based in the San Francisco Bay area, has gained international recognition for her large-scale, richly toned platinum-palladium prints. Her other books include Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time; Ancient Skies, Ancient Trees; and Literary Chickens, all by Abbeville Press.

Todd Forrest is the Arthur Ross Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections at The New York Botanical Garden where he leads all the programs and activities of the Garden’s Horticulture and Living Collections division. He joined the Horticulture staff as curator of woody plants in 1999 and became Vice President in 2005. Mr. Forrest received his Master of Forest Science degree from Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.