Ash (Botanical)

"Elegant and beautiful, rich in history and supremely useful, the ash tree has played an extraordinary yet largely unrecognized part in shaping both our natural environment and the material culture and beliefs of millions of people around the world. Ash charts the evolution of this magnificent tree, and its forty-three species, across the Northern Hemisphere for the past 44 million years. From its significance in ancient Indo-European cultures to its remarkable properties in treating Alzheimer's, Edward Parker looks at the botany, cultural history, and medicinal uses of the ash tree. He also looks at topical issues, such as the devastating effects that the spread of the emerald ash borer beetle and the ash dieback fungal infection are having on Northern Hemisphere forests." --Amazon.com Ash is a beautifully illustrated account of the botanical and cultural faces of the ash tree. The book maps the tree's evolution and geographical spread across the entire Northern Hemisphere over the last 44 million years, and describes the 43 species that grace the planet today. Edward Parker also explores the botany, cultural history, and medicinal uses of the tree, from its significance in ancient Indo-European cultures, to its remarkable properties in treating Alzheimer's disease. In addition he looks at topical issues, such as the devastating effects that the spread of the emerald ash borer beetle and the ash dieback fungal infection are having on Northern Hemisphere forests. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Introduction One: The Botany of Fraxinus Two: The Threatened Ash Three: The Mythology of Ash Four: Useful Ash Five: The Healing Ash Epilogue Glossary Timeline References Further Reading Associations and Websites Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index