Long, Long Life of Trees

Fiona Stafford is professor of English language and literature, University of Oxford. She is author and presenter of two highly acclaimed series for BBC Radio 3 titled The Meaning of Trees. She lives in Bucks, UK.

"Everywhere [Stafford's] eye for detail brings the trees to life. . . . The Long, Long Life of Trees is elegant, engaging, impeccably written and packed with interest."—John Carey, Sunday Times"Nature Book of the Year."—Sunday Times"Beautifully produced, and each chapter describes a different species, from the dark yew to the friendly apple. . . . A chapter a day of this calming book will keep panic away."—Margaret Drabble, The Guardian "Books of the Year 2016""To describe a book as enchanting is usually to condescend it. Not this time. Fiona Stafford’s enchanting study is also stoutly built, plainly and stylishly written, admirably achieved as to both artistry and pedagogy, and as gripping as a good thriller, replete with plots and character."—Fred Inglis, Times Higher Education Supplement"A leisurely, lyrical reflection on 17 different species, from apple to yew, with special emphasis on the role that each has played in art and literature, myth and legend, medicine and technology. . . . Readers intrigued by the nexus between the cultural and the arboreal will enjoy her book."—Gerard Helferich, Wall Street Journal"For her book in celebration of trees, Fiona Stafford has done a prodigious amount of research . . . this is a very rich mixture – a great arboreal gallimaufry."—Derwent May, Times Literary Supplement"Fiona Stafford weaves together tales of their place in myth, painting, religion and literature, enlivened with her personal sense of wonder. This is a timely book; our trees face a growing threat from diseases that could leave gaps in our cultural landscape, as well as our woodlands and hedgerows."—Phil Gates, BBC Wildlife"It’s impossible to imagine a better book on the subject than this. It’s written with verve, pace, genuine wit and an inspired eye for the quirky fact or anecdote. Even those readers who don’t think they’re interested in trees will find that they are."— John Harding, Daily Mail"Fiona Stafford makes a welcome and entertaining contribution. She draws on material from fields including folklore, natural science, literature, cultural history, European art, ancient mythology and modern medicine to illuminate such trees central place in western civilisation."—Mark Cocker, Spectator"A lovely thing to have and to hold . . . combines natural with cultural and social history, taking account not only of the biology and ecology of plants, but also our relationship with them, past and present."—Mark Griffiths, Country Life"Instantly enriches your experience of the natural world, overlaying the trees around you in  the myth, poetry and hidden meaning. . . . The abundance of information never feels like a deluge, as Stafford leads the reader through it with a light, entertaining and often poetic touch. This is a real treasure of a book."—Lia Leendertz, Gardens Illustrated"In this paean to the arboreal impulse, Fiona Stafford gets under the bark of the terrestrial giants whose natural history is interlaced with our own."—Barbara Kier, Nature"The author’s, ahem, root and branch treatment of trees is destined to be a definitive one. . . . By a copy as holiday reading and your plane’s descent over the Home Counties will offer you a chance to put your new-found knowledge into context."—James Anthony, Evening Standard“A book that would grace any book shelf. It is entertaining and informative for the enthusiastic dendrologist, and the casual reader.”—Colin How, Methodist Recorder“Fiona Stafford manages to combine an encyclopaedic knowledge of trees with an anecdotal style to create what all nature writers hope to achieve: something highly readable and informative.”—Simon Garnham, Shooting Times & Country Magazine"The Long, Long Life of Trees is a combination of personal commentary on Fiona Stafford’s love and appreciation of trees, coupled with a wealth of well-researched and fascinating examples of how trees have featured in history, art, commerce, culture and folklore. The book really helps to underline the importance of trees – past and present – and their continuing contribution as a force for good despite the many competing forces pitched against them over the centuries."—The Woodland Trust