Trees are one of Earth's oldest life forms; silent witnesses to human evolution and the passing of time. Many people today are unaware of their significance in Earth's ecology, their medicinal and nutritional properties, or the veneration bestowed on them by ancient peoples. This book captures all these elements in an inspiring holistic appraisal. Hageneder looks in detail at 24 of Europe and North America's best-loved trees: their physical characteristics, their healing powers, the traditions associated with them and how they have inspired human beings through the ages. Beautifully illustrated with black and white photographs and illustrations.

The yew is one of the most fascinating and versatile life forms on Earth, botanically rich and intriguing, and culturally almost without comparison. In history, mythology, religion, folklore, medicine and warfare, this tree bears timeless witness to a deep relationship with mankind. Yew was the wood chosen to make some of mankind's oldest artefacts: spears, bows and musical instruments. These include items like the prehistoric spear found near Clacton, the 2,000-year-old wooden pipes from Greystones, County Wicklow and, of course, the famous medieval English longbow. In modern medicine, too, yew has proved a boon. Since 1992 taxol/paclitaxel has helped revolutionise the treatment of certain types of cancer. In botanical terms, yew is a mass of contradictions. It is a conifer which bears scarlet 'berries' with sweet juicy pulp instead of cones. It is highly poisonous in all its parts except the red fruit pulp, and yet both wild and domesticated animals feed upon it. It can live for thousands of years with the potential to renew itself. A new tree from an interior root can grow slowly within the hollow trunk of an ancient yew and centuries later 'take over' the older tree. When it come to habitat, the yew tree is nothing if not versatile. It can grown on different continents at a wide range of altitudes: from rainy Edinburgh to sultry Istanbul, from Canada to Mexico, Scandinavia to North Africa and Sumatra, Japan and the Himalayas. Fred Hageneder's fascinating book is the first to cover all aspects of the botany as well as the cultural history and mythology of the genus Taxus. This is the remarkable story of the oldest living things in Europe.

Healthy Planet offers a clear and concise overview of the global ecological crisis that humanity has brought upon itself, and what options we still have to save a benevolent climate, to restore biodiversity, reduce pollution, and heal the ecosphere of this planet, including ourselves. Since well before the Covid-19 crisis the United Nations have been emphasizing that only a healthy planet can support healthy people. The degradation and pollution of nature also poisons our own bodies. Climate breakdown and the global loss of biodiversity also threaten the human species. But what is a "healthy planet"? How does it work, how much do we disrupt the planet's life support systems, and what changes are overdue? We have all the necessary means at our disposal, though just patching up the worst symptoms won't do anymore, we have to address the underlying causes, including our habits, values, and paradigms. We are at a crucial crossroads, and time is running short. If we act fast enough, a dignified and truly sustainable healthy future awaits.

Throughout time, trees have stood as sentinels, wise yet silent, patiently accumulating their rings while the storms of history have raged around them. Trees and humankind have always had a symbiotic relationship. Throughout the centuries trees have offered us shelter from the cold and the heat. They have provided us with a multitude of nutritious fruits, leaves, flowers and roots for food and medicine. They have given us wood with which to make our tools, weapons and toys, not to mention timber for houses, fences, boats and bridges. But perhaps most significant of all, trees have provided us with fuel for fire, which, once it was tamed hundreds of thousands of years ago became the engine of civilization. Trees are our strongest allies. The Living Wisdom of Trees is a richly illustrated guide to the cultural significance of 55 trees, from Acacia to Yew, looking in particular at their botanical characteristics; their place in world myth, magic and folklore; their healing properties; and their practical contribution to society. Featuring beautiful hand-drawn evocative illustrations, The Living Wisdom of Treesis for all who seek acquaintance with the fascinating lore and the profound spiritual wisdom of trees.

Europe’s most ancient species of tree, the yew has many unique characteristics: it is a ‘conifer’ without resin or cones, and though it has an extraordinarily low rate of photosynthesis, it can grow where other plants wither and die. It was in the Palaeolithic Era that humans were first struck by the yew’s regenerative powers and began to associate it with concepts of life, death, the afterlife and eternity. Yew trees can be found at the sacred sites of Native Americans and Buddhists, and Shinto shrines in Japan, as well as in Christian churchyards, where they became a symbol of the Resurrection. Now available in paperback, this richly illustrated cultural and natural history includes the latest scientific discoveries about a most remarkable tree.

A card set for connecting with Tree Spirits for guidance and inspiration - Contains 36 full-color, richly illustrated cards, each featuring a different tree species with its Tree Angel - Includes a guidebook that explains how to use the cards and provides a detailed message and interpretation for each Tree Angel card as well as historical information about each tree - Features trees from the old Celtic "Tree Alphabet" along with other well-known trees from all over the world There are two types of angels: those with wings and those with leaves. For thousands of years, those seeking guidance or wanting to express gratitude to nature have walked the ancient paths into the sacred grove to connect with the wisdom of trees. Today, venerable old trees in peaceful surroundings are difficult to find when we need them. And it can be difficult for the inexperienced to hear their voices and receive their healing. But the Tree Angels are still there, whispering to those who listen. In this oracle card and book set, Fred Hageneder shares deep messages and wisdom from the Tree Angels of 36 different tree species, those from the old Celtic "Tree Alphabet" along with other well-known trees from all over the world. Each full-color card, illustrated by artist Anne Heng, features a specific tree and its angel, revealing the trees as unique beings, with their individual energy and radiance. Drawing on botanical and historical sources, in addition to the author's vast experience with Tree Angels, the guidebook explains how to interpret the message of each Tree Angel card as well as how to use the cards. The trees featured include: Birch, Ash, Walnut, Elder, Holly, Rowan, Hawthorn, Oak, Aspen, Hazel, Juniper, Linden (Lime), Blackthorn, Yew, Field Maple, Elm, Black Poplar, Larch, White Willow, Scots Pine, Apple, Spruce, Ivy, Olive, Almond, Hornbeam, Beech, Cedar of Lebanon, Horse Chestnut, Sycamore, Alder, Pear, Pipal, Ginkgo, Cherry, and Myrrh. Allowing you to renew your bond with the global tree family and receive answers to questions about our own life, the Tree Angel cards also offer the opportunity to heal the past and reconnect to the wisdom of these ancient, majestic, and gentle beings.