Under the dense foliage of the glade, or even a single tree, sheltered from the burning
rays of the sun, weary travellers have found cool and refreshing rest. The shade of trees,
gratefully accepted, is recorded by the early Greeks and Romans. Pliny says :
"There is a little hill named Carne within the territorie of Tusculum not far from Roman Citie side,
clad and beautiful with a goodly grove and tuft of beech trees, so even and round in the head as if
they were curiously kept cut and shorne artificially with garden sheares : ... In it there was one
especiall faire tree above the rest, which Pabienus Crispus ; a man in our daies of great authoritie .
. . cast a fancie and extra ordinarie liking unto ; insomuch as he was wont not onely to take his
repose and lie under it, to sprinkle and cast wine plentifully upon it, but also to clip, embrace and
kisse it other whiles."
Pliny was probably referring to the woodcraft of pollarding, which was used on beeches,
oaks and willows to produce a plethora of thin branches for various uses such as basket
making and making hurdles and hot-burning faggots.
