Overview

This is the first book on the history of trees in Britain’s towns and cities and the people who have planted and cared for them. It is a highly readable and authoritative account of the trees in our urban landscapes from the Romans to the present day, including public parks, private gardens, streets, cemeteries and many other open spaces. It charts how our appreciation of urban trees and woodland has evolved into our modern understanding of the many environmental, economic and social benefits of our urban forests. A description is also given of the various threats to these trees over the centuries, such as pollution damage during the Industrial Revolution and the recent ravages of Dutch elm disease. Central and local government initiatives are examined together with the contribution of civic and amenity societies. However, this historical account is not just a catalogue of significant events but gives a deeper analysis by exploring fundamental issues such as who owned those treed landscapes, why they were created and who had access to them. The book concludes with the fascinating story of how trees have contributed to efforts to improve urban conditions through various ‘visions of urban green’ such as the model villages, garden cities, garden suburbs and the new towns. Studies in garden and landscape history have often been preoccupied with those belonging to the rich and powerful. This book focuses particularly on working people and the extent to which they have been able to enjoy urban trees and greenspace. It will appeal to a general readership, especially those with an interest in garden history, heritage landscapes and the natural and built environment. Its meticulous referencing will also ensure it is much appreciated by students and academics pursuing further reading and research. It is written by an internationally renowned arboriculturist who combines a passion for trees with a sound understanding of British social and cultural history.

Full Product Details

9781909686625

Table of Contents

Reviews

This book opens by describing the rise of the arboriculture profession and evolution of techniques. The main focus of the book, however, is less concerned with planting and looking after trees. Rather, it gives a fascinating historical insight into the social, economic and cultural background that still determines where - and how many - trees are planted today. In the preface the author states that he wanted to consider the perspective of 'urban dwellers', because much landscape history focuses on the 'rich and powerful'. The chapters trace the history of trees in gardens, parks, streets and other urban spaces. Such an approach has the potential to be rather academic, but the author's passion for trees, and his incredible amount of research, produces some surprising facts. For example William Robinson, known to many as the first 'wild gardener' who lobbied against the formality of Victorian parks and gardens, returned from a trip to Paris full of inspiration. He praised its avenues and the Napoleonic approach to street-tree planting. Even today a degree of 'green dictatorship' in town planning might produce much-needed new city avenues. Under the heading 'Visions of Urban Greens', Bedford Park, 'the world's first garden suburb', is described. Its sinuously curved streets were planned in the late 1870s around existing trees and within an arboretum planted by eminent botanist John Lindley (1799-1865), a notable figure in the early years of the RHS. This sensitive approach created a spirit of place that can still be appreciated today. This book puts trees into a cultural context, making it a fascinating and indispensable read for urban dwellers, arborists, gardeners and tree-huggers alike. -- The Garden The Garden

The book is an essential and enjoyable read for all those interested in urban trees, and especially those within the arboricultural industry. Indeed the introductory chapter that provides an overview of the development of professional arboriculture should be a must read for all entering the profession. I hope this much needed addition to the literature will also find an audience beyond the immediate profession - for a wider public perhaps but especially for planners, architects and landscape architects. -- Arboricultural Journal Arboricultural Journal The final outcome of this project is an information-dense tome which covers, very well, various aspects of the subject, linking what was happening with trees into the wider landscaping and architectural environment. -- Chartered Forester Magazine Chartered Forester Magazine This book puts trees into a cultural context, making it a fascinating and indispensable read for urban dwellers, arborists, gardeners and tree-huggers alike. -- The Garden The Garden 'This is a highly readable account presenting the history of tree planting in British cities throughout historical times...' -- Medieval Archaeology Medieval Archaeology haeology

This book opens by describing the rise of the arboriculture profession and evolution of techniques. The main focus of the book, however, is less concerned with planting and looking after trees. Rather, it gives a fascinating historical insight into the social, economic and cultural background that still determines where - and how many - trees are planted today. In the preface the author states that he wanted to consider the perspective of 'urban dwellers', because much landscape history focuses on the 'rich and powerful'. The chapters trace the history of trees in gardens, parks, streets and other urban spaces. Such an approach has the potential to be rather academic, but the author's passion for trees, and his incredible amount of research, produces some surprising facts. For example William Robinson, known to many as the first 'wild gardener' who lobbied against the formality of Victorian parks and gardens, returned from a trip to Paris full of inspiration. He praised its avenues and the Napoleonic approach to street-tree planting. Even today a degree of 'green dictatorship' in town planning might produce much-needed new city avenues. Under the heading 'Visions of Urban Greens', Bedford Park, 'the world's first garden suburb', is described. Its sinuously curved streets were planned in the late 1870s around existing trees and within an arboretum planted by eminent botanist John Lindley (1799-1865), a notable figure in the early years of the RHS. This sensitive approach created a spirit of place that can still be appreciated today. This book puts trees into a cultural context, making it a fascinating and indispensable read for urban dwellers, arborists, gardeners and tree-huggers alike. -- The Garden The Garden 'This is a highly readable account presenting the history of tree planting in British cities throughout historical times...' 'This book is not, however, a manual for arboriculturists; rather, it sets the facilities they can offer since the 1970s/80s within a wider historic framework, encouraged by urban planning initiatives and landscape architects.' -- Medieval Archaeology Medieval Archaeology haeology

The final outcome of this project is an information-dense tome which covers, very well, various aspects of the subject, linking what was happening with trees into the wider landscaping and architectural environment. -- Chartered Forester Magazine Chartered Forester Magazine The book is an essential and enjoyable read for all those interested in urban trees, and especially those within the arboricultural industry. Indeed the introductory chapter... should be a must read for all entering the profession. -- Ian D. Rotherham Arboricultural Journal This book puts trees into a cultural context, making it a fascinating and indispensable read for urban dwellers, arborists, gardeners and tree-huggers alike. -- The Garden The Garden 'This is a highly readable account presenting the history of tree planting in British cities throughout historical times...' -- Medieval Archaeology Medieval Archaeology haeology

Author Information

Mark Johnston is Research Fellow in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry at Myerscough College, Lancashire with 40 years' experience in the arboriculture and forestry industries. He has initiated and managed a number of major urban forestry projects in Britain and Ireland and his research interests focus on the social science aspects of urban tree management. He holds the International Society of Arboriculture's highly prestigious Award of Merit and an MBE for services to the development of urban forestry in Britain.

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