The Tree Experts: A History of Professional Arboriculture in Britain [Hardback]

Trees are now in the public eye as never before. The threat of tree diseases, the felling of street trees and the challenge of climate change are just some of the issues that have put trees in the media spotlight. At the same time, the trees in our parks, gardens and streets are a vital resource that can deliver environmental, social and economic benefits that make our towns and cities attractive, green and healthy places.

Ever since Roman times when amenity trees were first planted in Britain, caring for those trees has required specialist skills. This is mainly because of the challenges of successfully integrating large trees into the urban environment and the risks involved in working with them, often at height and in close proximity to people, buildings and roads. But who are the people with the specialist expertise to care for our amenity trees? While professionals such as horticulturists, landscape architects, conservationists and foresters have a role to play, it is the arboriculturists who are the ‘tree experts’. For centuries arboriculture was often synonymous with forestry or considered an aspect of horticulture, until it emerged in the nineteenth century as a separate discipline. There are now some 22,000 people employed in Britain’s arboricultural industry, including practical tree surgeons and arborists, local authority tree officers and arboricultural consultants.

This is the first book to trace the history of Britain’s professional tree experts, from the Roman arborator to the modern chartered arboriculturist. It also discusses the influences from continental Europe and North America that have helped to shape British arboriculture over the centuries. The Tree Experts will have particular appeal to those interested in the natural and built environment, heritage landscapes, social history and the history of gardening.

"Overall this splendid book provides an illuminating and complete history of the practical management of trees and is to be strongly recommended to all those with an interest in garden, woodland and landscape history."
Charles Watkins
Landscape History

"This weighty book contains a huge amount of information and will rightly find a place on many bookshelves."

The Arb Magazine (Arboricultural Association) (08/12/2021)

"We can all marvel at the completeness of what is for me the most important book on the subject and which will never be equalled – let alone bettered. "
Peter Bridgeman
Kew Guild Journal

"What a great way to explore the fascinating history of professional arboriculture in Britain. Navigating chronologically, [the author] provides a clearly constructed narrative that is brimming with historical references providing endless details to immerse yourself in time and time again. It was an absolute pleasure to read and review this book and it was a fascinating read from cover to cover."
Amelia Williams
Trees magazine (Institute of Chartered Foresters)

"''Outstanding in both depth and detail. ... It’s all there in Mark Johnston’s large but tight and tidy text, big on information and detail, interest and intrigue.'' "
Dr Terry Mabbett
Forestry Journal and Essential Arb