Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees

In the past, farmers used to make a living fence, feed their flocks on tree-branch hay, prune hazel to foster abundance, cut beeches to make charcoal, shape oaks to make hulls, and cut trees to sprout again to create healthy, sustainable, and diverse woodlands. This ecology was once common and practical, and it led to the poetic landscapes of Shakespeare's England and ancient Japan. Logan's book explores and celebrates this forgotten ecology, offering hope that humans may learn from the persistence and generosity of trees.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 384 pages
\n Publication date: 26 April 2019
\n Publisher: WW Norton & Co
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Once upon a time, farmers had a deep understanding of how to create a living fence, providing sustenance for their flocks by feeding them on tree-branch hay. The rural folk were skilled in pruning hazel trees, which not only yielded abundant edible nuts but also produced straight, sturdy, and flexible rods that were invaluable for constructing bridges, walls, and baskets. Meanwhile, townspeople relied on the cutting of beeches to produce charcoal, a crucial fuel for ironworks. Shipwrights, too, shaped oaks to create the hulls of their vessels. To ensure the prosperity of their communities, people would periodically cut down trees, allowing them to sprout again. Contrary to popular belief, pruning the trees did not lead to their destruction but rather fostered the growth of healthy, sustainable, and diverse woodlands. These woodlands were the backdrop for the poetic landscapes of Shakespeare's England and ancient Japan, where trees thrived and lived longer.

Determined to revive and celebrate this once-common and practical ecology, William Bryant Logan embarks on a journey that takes him from the English fens to Spain, California, and Japan. Along the way, he discovers the wisdom and resilience of trees and explores how humans can learn from their persistence and generosity. Logan's journey is a testament to the power of nature and a call to action for us to reconnect with the natural world and adopt sustainable practices that will preserve and protect our forests for generations to come.

\n Weight: 648g\n
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780393609417\n \n