Join the Friends of the National Library and the ACT branch of the Australian Garden History Society for their annual joint lecture, as they present Professor Tim Entwisle to discuss the extraordinary diversity of the humble oak.
In Tim Entwisle's forthcoming book, 'Three Worlds Oak', a dying hybrid oak in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens sets off on a search for its parents, and in doing so reveals the extraordinary diversity of the genus Quercus.
From the Himalaya to Mexico, from knee-high scrub to rainforest giants, more than four hundred species of oak shape landscapes, cultures and histories. Their leaves can blaze red and gold, acorns can be the size of a hand, and while only a few cross the equator to the south others survive in mountains to 4,000 metres. Tim will illustrate his presentation with illustrations by his wife (and active AGHS member) Lynda Entwisle, as well as photographs of oaks in their natural settings. Tim wants to remind us there is far more to oaks than the familiar English tree, and to invite us to look anew at some of the world's most beloved plants.
Light refreshments will be served after the lecture.