There has never been a better time to plant a tree! From their invaluable role in fighting climate change and cleaning the air of our cities, to the huge mental health benefits being around their leafy presence can bring, trees are at the very centre of both our urban and rural ecosystems.
Written by Ben Raskin, head of horticulture at the Soil Association, and supported by Friends of the Earth UK, this earthy call-to-action teaches the practical how-tos alongside the most interesting insights to appreciate about the significance of magnificent trees.
As movements to rewild the world around us gain pace, tree planting is being recognised as an empowering, practical and surprisingly simple action that each and every one of us can do in our backyard, park, local community, school, town, or city.
Sections in this book include:
- Trees and the World – This sectioncelebrates just how vital trees are, from how they help regulate the climate and absorb dangerous methane and nitrous oxide, to how they enrich soil, support wildlife, and keep our city air clean, as well as the threats they face from climate change.
- Growing Your Own Tree – Tips on growing saplings from seed, cuttings, or grafting, plus guidance on care and maintenance, from weeding and mulching to when to prune and pollard.
- Tree Identification Guide – A guide to the top40 of our favourite trees, appreciated for their fruit and nuts, their ornamental value, and the role they play in supporting wildlife, including a neat introduction to how to recognise trees by their leaf shape, flowers, seeds, and fruit.
- Trees and Happiness – Research has revealed that trees are effective at reducing stress levels and improving our mental well-being, and this section digs into exactly how this happens.
Whether you’re a keen gardener, an avid environmental activist, or simply want to learn more about these beautiful and powerful organisms, this must-read book illustrated by popular screen-printerRosanna Morris sends the powerful message that we can plant a tree & retree the world!
Ben Raskin (Wiltshire, UK) is the Head of Horticulture at the Soil Association in the UK, and a father of two. He runs courses and training on organic growing and launched the Soil Association’s flagship Organic Apprenticeship Scheme in 2007. Ben got the gardening bug working on an organic vineyard in northern Italy, and has worked in horticulture for 18 years, including a stint as Assistant Head Gardener at the UK charity Garden Organic.
Rosanna Morris has worked in the realm of print for over ten years. She first got excited about relief print at the age of 18 during her foundation diploma at the Bristol School of Art. During the course she took a trip to Paris where she encountered inspiring large-scale street art around the city. Once home, she wanted to make her drawings big and began carving huge life-size woodcuts of British farming and pasted them on abandoned walls around the city.
She went on to study Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts, where she developed her own unique style, evoking the traditional feel of British Wood Engravings within the aesthetic of contemporary illustration.
