Pine
Laura MasonReveals how pine trees have inspired and been utilized by humanity throughout history.
Pine trees, admired for their resilience, have been the subjects of artists for centuries, symbolizing wisdom and longevity in China and Japan. Their symbolic significance spans cultures and time, from classical worshippers of Bacchus to inspiring the establishment of national parks in North America. The natural history of pines showcases their ability to thrive in challenging environments, fascinating scientists. Their resin provides adhesives, waterproofing agents, and medicines, while their wood is ubiquitous in buildings, furniture, and paper pulp. Their cones fascinate with intricate shapes and offer pine nuts for both animals and humans. Throughout history, pines have inspired artists, writers, and photographers. Beautifully illustrated, Pine explores the rich inspiration and practical uses of these rugged, aromatic trees.
Reveals how pine trees have inspired and been utilized by humanity throughout history.
Pine trees, admired for their resilience, have been the subjects of artists for centuries, symbolizing wisdom and longevity in China and Japan. Their symbolic significance spans cultures and time, from classical worshippers of Bacchus to inspiring the establishment of national parks in North America. The natural history of pines showcases their ability to thrive in challenging environments, fascinating scientists. Their resin provides adhesives, waterproofing agents, and medicines, while their wood is ubiquitous in buildings, furniture, and paper pulp. Their cones fascinate with intricate shapes and offer pine nuts for both animals and humans. Throughout history, pines have inspired artists, writers, and photographers. Beautifully illustrated, Pine explores the rich inspiration and practical uses of these rugged, aromatic trees.
Reveals how pine trees have inspired and been utilized by humanity throughout history.
Pine trees, admired for their resilience, have been the subjects of artists for centuries, symbolizing wisdom and longevity in China and Japan. Their symbolic significance spans cultures and time, from classical worshippers of Bacchus to inspiring the establishment of national parks in North America. The natural history of pines showcases their ability to thrive in challenging environments, fascinating scientists. Their resin provides adhesives, waterproofing agents, and medicines, while their wood is ubiquitous in buildings, furniture, and paper pulp. Their cones fascinate with intricate shapes and offer pine nuts for both animals and humans. Throughout history, pines have inspired artists, writers, and photographers. Beautifully illustrated, Pine explores the rich inspiration and practical uses of these rugged, aromatic trees.
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All the volumes [in the Botanical series] combine scholarship with lively anecdote and are beautifully and generously illustrated . . . who would have thought conifers could be so interesting? Laura Mason's Pine starts with a solid and enlightening description of the botanical structure, evolution and habitat of the Pinus genus. It then goes on to show how the pine and its derivatives from timber to Stockholm Tar have been used throughout history, how the tree has been depicted in art, its place in mythology, and its culinary uses (not limited to pinenuts) . . . Part of the appeal of these books is the unexpected facts and stories they throw up.
'The Spectator
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Lily and Pine are beautifully produced, with an old-fashioned and wonderfully solid feel to them they are well illustrated with material from a very wide range of sources, and bound at a higher quality than the general run of hardback books, especially given the modest price. I can see them becoming collectors items.
'Gardens Illustrated
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Reaktion Books are building a tasty line in tree and plant books . . . beautifully produced with the qualities of a traditional novel, but illustrated page after page by colour photographs and drawings, the [Botanical] series aims to provide a cultural guide to species . . . Laura Mason's Pine offers a valuable tour of the Pinus genus
'Smallwoods magazine
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This attractive, enticing book sets out not to be a botanical textbook. Instead, Laura Mason analyses the cultural relevance of pine: how humans have used it, and our effects upon pine species and populations . . . the book is profusely illustrated with eclectic, relevant and attractive photographs and paintings, globally sourced and from past and present . . . I recommend Pine to foresters as an interesting, unusual approach to trees.
'Scottish Forestry journal
Introduction
1 The Natural History of Pine Trees
2 Pine Trees in Myth and Reality
3 Pitch, Turpentine and Rosin
4 Pine for Timber and Torches
5 Pine for Food
6 Mythic Pine, Artist’s Pine
7 The Sound of the Wind in the Branches
Timeline
References
Further Reading
Associations and Websites
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
Laura Mason was a food historian and writer with a special interest in British foods and food customs. Her books include Sugar Plums and Sherbet (2003), Pine (Reaktion, 2013) and several recipe books for the National Trust, and she also contributed to The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets (2015).
