They encompass nearly three centuries and a broad geographical range, from the eastern woodlands stretching north into Canada, to the Great Plains, to the Northwest coast as far as Alaska.

At this time, the whole region, apart from upland areas under plough, and marshy areas (e.g. Romney Marsh in Kent and much of Somerset), was heavily forested, with woodland stretching nearly everywhere.

Saint Nectan's Glen is an area of woodland stretching for around one mile along both banks of the Trevillet River; its most prominent feature is St Nectan's Kieve.

But directly ahead, long fingers of woodland stretching toward them as if in welcome, lay the promised forest.