Today, ‘virgin forests’ are only to be found at a few sites unreachable by humans, and even then they are affected by climate change, atmospheric pollution and species extinctions. This book aims to help understand the web of connections relating to ancient trees and woodlands, and to offer techniques to ensure their effective conservation. 

1. Ancient woodland in concept and practice  George Peterken 2. The cultural heritage of woods and forests  Ian D. Rotherham 3. Archaeology of trees, woodland and wood-pasture  Oliver Rackham 4. Ancient rights in ancient forests  Graham Bathe 5. The importance of an open-grown tree: from seed to ancient  Ted Green 6. Ancient and other trees of special interest: indicators of old-growth biodiversity and heritage  Jill Butler 7. Worked trees and ecological indicators in wooded landscapes  Ian D. Rotherham 8. Ancient forests in Germany: distribution, importance for maintaining biodiversity, protection and threats  Monika Wulf 9. Tree abundance, density and age structure: the key factors that determine species richness in saproxylic invertebrates  Keith N.A. Alexander 10. Old growth and deadwood as key factors for nature conservation in managed forests  Harald Schaich, Thomas A.M. Kaphegyi, Rudolf Lühl, Nicole Schmalfuß, Mattias Rupp, Thomas Waldenspuhl and Werner Konold 11. The diversity of ancient woodlands in Austria: historical developments and contemporary social importance  Elisabeth Johann 12. Wood-pasture: for food, wood and biodiversity Frans Vera 13. The ancient woodland concept as a practical conservation tool: the Turkish experience  Simay Kırca, Alper H. Çolak and Ian D. Rotherham 14. Using pollen data and models to assess landscape structure and the role of grazers in pre-agricultural Denmark  Anne Brigitte Nielsen 15. Tanneries and treescapes: the influence of the tanning industry on woodland management  Christine Handley and Ian D. Rotherham 16. A hidden treasure in Turkey: old oaks of unique value  Nicklas Jansson, Ogün Ç. Türkay and Mustafa Avcı 17. Antiquity of ancient woodlands and cultures: the example of Sandras Mountain, Turkey  Alper H. Çolak, Simay Kırca and Ian D. Rotherham 18. Woods and trees in England’s Anglo-Saxon countryside  Della Hooke 19. Ancient and modern: the conservation of ancient woods and trees in a changing world Keith Kirby 20. Walls, woodbanks and woodwards: the protection of coppice woods from trespassers, thieves and grazing animals  Melvyn Jones 21. The natural character of ancient woodland  Tom Williamson 22. European woodland history and management: some concluding thoughts  Ian D. Rotherham, Alper Çolak and Simay Kırca

...an invaluable addition to woodland literature, putting the role of people firmly with the rest of woodland biodiversity. Reading this book will give new perspectives - and certainly allow the reader to see the woodland (sic) for the trees.

This is a masterly collection of essays on woodland history. All the leading authorities are here, and they cover the ecological history not only of England but also of Germany, Austria, Denmark and Turkey. Very strongly recommended.