Tree Cultures : The Place of Trees and Trees in Their Place

The relationship between nature and culture has become a popular focus in social science, but there have been few grounded accounts of trees. Providing shelter, fuel, food and tools, trees have played a vital role in human life from the earliest times, but their role in symbolic expression has been largely overlooked. For example, trees are often used to express nationalistic feelings. Germans drew heavily on tree and forest imagery in nation-building, and the idea of 'hearts of oak' has been central to concepts of English identity. Classic scenes of ghoulish trees coming to life and forests closing in on unsuspecting passers-by commonly feature in the media. In other instances, trees are used to represent paradisical landscapes and symbolize the ideologies of conservation and concern for nature. Offering new theoretical ideas, this book looks at trees as agents that co-constitute places and cultures in relationship with human agency. What happens when trees connect with human labour, technology, retail and consumption systems? What are the ethical dimensions of these connections? The authors discuss how trees can affect and even define notions of place, and the ways that particular places are recognized culturally. Working trees, companion trees, wild trees and collected or conserved trees are considered in relation to the dynamic politics of conservation and development that affect the values given to trees in the contemporary world. Building on the growing field of landscape study, this book offers rich insights into the symbolic and practical roles of trees. It will be vital reading for anyone interested in the anthropology of landscape, forestry, conservation and development, and for those concerned with the social science of nature. 4e de couv.: The relationship between nature and culture has become a popular focus in social science, but there have been few grounded accounts of trees. Providing shelter, fuel, food and tools, trees have played a vital role in human life from the earliest times, but their role in symbolic expression has been largely overlooked. For example, trees are often used to express nationalistic feelings. Germans drew heavily on tree and forest imagery in nation-building, and the idea of 'hearts of oak' has been central to concepts of English identity. Classic scenes of ghoulish trees coming to life and forests closing in on unsuspecting passers-by commonly feature in the media. In other instances, trees are used to represent paradisical landscapes and symbolize the ideologies of conservation and concern for nature.Offering new theoretical ideas, this book looks at trees as agents that co-constitute places and cultures in relationship with human agency. What happens when trees connect with human labour, technology, retail and consumption systems? What are the ethical dimensions of these connections? The authors discuss how trees can affect and even define notions of place, and the ways that particular places are recognized culturally. Working trees, companion trees, wild trees and collected or conserved trees are considered in relation to the dynamic politics of conservation and development that affect the values given to trees in the contemporary world.Building on the growing field of landscape study, this book offers rich insights into the symbolic and practical roles of trees. It will be vital reading for anyone interested in the anthropology of landscape, forestry, conservation and development, and for those concerned with the social science of nature Offering New Theoretical Ideas, This Book Looks At Trees As Agents That Co-constitute Places And Cultures In Relationship With Human Agency. What Happens When Trees Connect With Human Labour, Technology, Retail And Consumption Systems? What Are The Ethical Dimensions Of These Connections? The Authors Discuss How Trees Can Affect And Even Define Notions Of Place, And The Ways That Particular Places Are Recognized Culturally. Working Trees, Companion Trees, Wild Trees And Collected Or Conserved Trees Are Considered In Relation To The Dynamic Politics Of Conservation And Development That Affect The Values Given To Trees In The Contemporary World. Building On The Growing Field Of Landscape Study, This Book Offers Rich Insights Into The Symbolic And Practical Roles Of Trees. It Will Be Vital Reading For Anyone Interested In The Anthropology Of Landscape Forestry, Conservation And Development, And For Those Concerned With The Social Science Of Nature.--jacket. Acknowledgements -- List Of Figures -- 1. Introduction -- Part I. Placing Trees In Cultural Theory -- Preamble -- 2. Arbori-culture -- 3. The Non-human Agency Of Trees -- 4. Tree-places -- 5. Ethics -- Part Ii. Trees In Their Place -- Preamble -- 6. Orchard -- 7. Cemetery -- 8. Heritage Trail -- 9. Square -- 10. Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index. Owain Jones And Paul Cloke. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 227-245) And Index. Providing shelter, heat, and tools, trees have played a vital role in human life from the earliest times, but their role in symbolic expression has been largely overlooked. For example, trees are often used to express nationalistic feelings. Germans drew heavily on tree and forest imagery in nation-building, and the idea of "hearts of oak" has been central to concepts of English identity. Classic scenes of ghoulish trees coming to life and forests closing in on unsuspecting passersby commonly feature in the media. Different again, the palm tree typically symbolizes the tropical paradise.This book looks at trees as agents that transform and create human relationships. What happens when trees connect with human labor, technology, retail and consumption systems? The authors discuss how trees can affect and even define notions of place, and the ways that particular places are recognized culturally. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 List of Figures......Page 12 1 Introduction......Page 14 Part I Placing Trees In Cultural Theory......Page 28 Preamble......Page 30 2 Arbori-Culture......Page 32 3 The Non-human Agency of Trees......Page 60 4 Tree-places......Page 86 5 Ethics......Page 110 Part II Trees in their Place......Page 132 Preamble......Page 134 6 Orchard......Page 136 7 Cemetery......Page 156 8 Heritage Trail......Page 178 9 Square......Page 202 10 Conclusions......Page 226 Bibliography......Page 240 C......Page 260 E......Page 261 M......Page 262 S......Page 263 V......Page 264 Z......Page 265