Oak

Beth Moon

WITH AN ESSAY BY TODD FORREST

OAK

FROM SEED TO ANCIENT TREE

ABBEVILLE PRESS | NEW YORK LONDON

[p. 4: copyright TK]

INTRODUCTION 00

Beth Moon FROM ACORN TO ACORN: THE LIFE OF OAKS 00

Todd Forrest

Becoming Oak 00

The Ancient Oaks of Britain and Europe 00 Southern Live Oaks 00 Seeds 00

INTRODUCTION

BETH MOON

Riotous and unruly. An oak tree is a thriving universe unto itself—a living, breathing sanctuary that sustains an extraordinary web of life. It is a generous host to a vast array of birds, mammals, butterflies, moths, and insects, surpassing all other trees in biodiversity.

England has more ancient oaks than any other country in Europe. I was curious why these trees had survived when so many others had been felled to build ships and cathedrals in an era when conservation was scarcely considered.

Aljos Farjon, a researcher from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, explored this very question, believing that land use held many of the answers. He surmised that the remaining oaks endured because they were on private land, protected within medieval deer parks or royal hunting forests where they were valued for shade, food for animals, and aesthetic appeal. Rooted in the estates of the British aristocracy, these trees serve as a reflection on the complex relationship between human ambition and the natural world. Here we can look at the concept of stewardship, and the ongoing conflict between cultivation and preservation.

I remember reading about a Rembrandt painting that had been stowed away in a basement. The ancient trees on private estates were similarly inaccessible—no one would ever see them. That realization became the catalyst of this project, inspiring me to research the trees’ locations and seek permission to visit them.

With countless species of oaks in the world, it was impossible to capture them all. To focus my work, I chose to concentrate on the ancient oaks of Europe, with their deeprooted histories, and the live oaks of the southern United States, under whose sprawling branches I spent time in my youth. My journey began at the end of the oak’s life, and I worked my way backward to the beginning, when the oak seed sprouts and takes root. All species reveal the shared narratives of survival, decay, and renewal.

Beauty in nature is harmoniously intertwined. A hint of color can direct our attention to untold stories: A mix of yellow ochre and quinacridone gold, painted on the few remaining leaves, speaks of the last days of summer. Raw umber accentuates a trunk long lived. A blend of cadmium yellow and cerulean blue creates an olive green so perfect that I can recall the earthy smell of the forest and the soft touch of moss covering low oak branches after the rain.

As our world becomes increasingly crowded, I want to keep a record of these trees, of their beauty and power that I see come alive before me. By selectively hand-coloring the images, I hope to reveal beauty, not as mere decoration but as a force that ignites passion—because I believe people protect what they truly care about.

With this book, an extension of earlier work, I continue to explore the tree within the landscape, in an attempt to move beyond the mere representation of trees, hoping they will take on a greater significance, reminding us of the urgent reality of what we stand to lose if we fail to act.

To learn more about vetted conservation programs please visit www.bethmoon.com.