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The Secret Power of Trees

Ian Marchant explores whether trees really do have miraculous powers and whether forests are still seen as scary? From 2012.

Britain's woodlands were planted for timber or hunting.

Yet nowadays you're as likely to find ex-prisoners or mentally ill elderly folk in the woods.

With the rise of "social forestry", woodlands have come to be seen as therapeutic and healing, and not just by new age eco types.

In Japan, doctors take seriously the practice of "forest air bathing", and claim all kinds of health benefits from simply being in the woods.

Ian Marchant explores whether trees really do have miraculous powers and asks what happened to the idea of forests as scary places, full of evil spirits and outlaws.

Producer: Jolyon Jenkins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2012.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 19 Apr 202500:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Clip

Broadcasts

  • Sat 8 Dec 201210:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 24 Mar 201706:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 24 Mar 201713:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 24 Mar 201720:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 25 Mar 201701:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 30 Dec 202014:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 31 Dec 202002:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 18 Apr 202510:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 18 Apr 202516:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 19 Apr 202500:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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