Author Julian Hight is nearing completion of his second book, World Tree Story – history & legend of the world’s ancient trees, and is to self-publish through a crowd-funding scheme.
Druid Oak, Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire, circa 1910.
The book features the wonderful Druid Oak in Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, an ancient hollow Oak tree thought to be around 800 years old and steeped in history.
Following publication of Britain’s Tree Story for the National Trust in 2011, Julian travelled to photograph and gather stories of 100 magnificent, ancient trees in 40 countries around the world.
His travels led him to the oldest and biggest trees in the world in California, across Europe and Scandinavia to Japan, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.
The result is a celebration of ancient trees through words and pictures, along with their history, legend and mythology, presenting a record of the rich variety of ancient trees surviving worldwide.
This time, Julian is self-publishing, and has recently launched an Indiegogo crowdfunder campaign where the public can get involved by making a pledge to support the book.
Julian said: “Self-publishing through crowd-funding projects like this allows authors to produce beautiful, project driven, independent books.
“World Tree Story has roots, but needs wings to help it fly. By pledging you can be among the first to receive a copy of the book whilst supporting a worthwhile project. Hopefully it will go some way towards raising awareness of ancient trees, a record of what we have, and ultimately a call for their protection.”
The World Tree Story crowdfunding project runs until June 13. You can view details here: www.igg.me/at/worldtreestory
