A wide-ranging study of the symbolism and cultural meaning of the tree through history, from the Cosmic Tree of antiquity to modern European, American and Asian customs and beliefs. Many people today take the presence of trees for granted, unaware of their greater significance in stabilizing the Earth's ecology, or the veneration bestowed on them by ancient peoples. In the companion volume, The Spirit of Trees, Fred Hageneder captivated readers with a passionate and informed account of the natural life and ecology of trees. The Heritage of Trees, extends his description of the relationship between humanity and trees down the centuries, evoking forest customs, images and meanings of the forest from the Stone Age to modern times.