There is something very special about oak trees, they are so embedded in the history and myths of the United Kingdom that they seem thread around and throughout our lives. When I was growing up my mother used to talk about playing in Sherwood Forest and how at that time you go into the hollow of the Major Oak where allegedly Robin Hood hid with his Merry Men (not at the same time, my mother was not that old). I planted a Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) in my garden ten years ago and it remains one of my favourite trees. So when I was asked to review Oaklore by Jules Acton it felt like a book I could not say no to.
I have not paid for this book, nor have I been paid to write this review. My words and opinions are my own.
As you might expect I did look up whether the Major Oak features in the book before I started to read it, satisfied that it was there I continued. Of course it was there, Jules lives near Sherwood Forest and also works for the Woodland Trust. Once I had established this I could happily start the book in a more linear fashion.
This book is delightful. It is not the fanciest of books you can buy; it does not have glossy pages which is good as that would feel out of place with its themes. It is not an overprocessed book, it feels more in tune with nature if that makes any sense? The book does contain fabulous illustrations by Jules' sister Sally Mollan. They compliment the text beautifully.
I like very much how Jules writes. This is a good, well research nature writing; but she has an easy conversational style that makes the knowledge she is imparting very accessible. Jules is clear that she is not an oak expert, but more just very enthusiastic about them. This being said, the book is threaded through with interesting facts. Some facts are not the most positive you would wish for such as since the year 2000 in the UK we have imported 16 new tree pests and diseases (1). That really does have to be a worry.
Jules takes us on a journey of naturalistic facts of beetles and funghi, and myth-wanderings with druids and Zeus and then there is the poetry spread through it: from the amusing 'acorn based ditty' that has firmly imprinted 'penduncle'into my memory to William Cowper and Alfred Lord Tennyson. I love this mingling of styles. It is a very enjoyable and very readable book. I can happily recommend it.
Oaklore by Jules Acton is published by Greystone Books
Take care and be kind.
For more from the Blackberry Garden follow me on Facebook Instagram and Substack
(1) p 166