Fences and Freedom: The Philosophy of Hedgelaying

by Marius de Geus, Thomas van Slobbe, Jaap Dirkmaat (Illustrations)

This ecological treatise contends that hedgerows, wooden barriers, and other natural boundaries play a vital role in the conservation of biodiversity and the scenic quality of the countryside, one which synthetic barriers like chain-link fences and barbed wire cannot fill. Capturing both the practical and the poetic elements of these shrubbery choices, this work incorporates fictional elements to reveal how natural materials connect humans with the outdoors. Both revolutionary and timeless, the philosophy of hedgelaying undermines many assumptions of modern life and offers a symbiotic attitude toward nature and landscapes.

128 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003