TV Guide BBC Four Tuesday

George McGavin explores one of the great icons of the British countryside - the oak tree. Studying a 400-year-old tree throughout the different seasons of the year, George investigates its surprisingly sophisticated biology, how it adapts to its ever-changing environment and why it has become such an important part of the countryside

An exploration of the textile mills and factories that once thrived in Britain during the Industrial Revolution. From New Lanark in Scotland to the mill town of Burnley, Fred meets ex-workers to discover what life was really like, and chats to a group that has dedicated 30 years to restoring mill engines

Liz McIvor examines how the railways stimulated great changes to the nation's economy, and encouraged a new generation of mechanical engineers, skilled workers, managers and accountants. Originally, local entrepreneurs viewed trains as vehicles for shifting raw materials, stock and goods, however it soon became clear that there was money to be made in transporting people

British art detectives Bendor Grosvenor and Emma Dabiri hunt for of the nation's great lost masterpieces. They uncover if a painting of a society woman is by artist Joshua Reynolds and discover which celebrity playwright will lead them from Rome to Bath to London's Royal Academy

Bettany Hughes' series exploring the lives and teachings of influential ancient philosophers draws to a close with a profile of Confucius, who is credited as the first Chinese thinker to take a systematic philosophical approach to issues of social, political and ethical importance. Born during the chaotic Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history, Confucius believed that harmony could be promoted and achieved through the examples of sage rulers. He was also a innovative teacher, and tried to instill his principles of moral excellence in China's elite, but died without seeing his vision for his nation come to pass. However, his philosophies would eventually form the bedrock of Chinese culture, with many of his principles of tradition surviving to this day