Twelve Trees that Defined my Lockdown – Part 1

During Lockdown 1.0, I spent as much time as I could outdoors. Like many, I found it gave me an opportunity to appreciate nature on my doorstep even more than usual. Combined with a beautiful spring and the dramatic reduction in pollution, it seemed especially piquant. My lockdown urban nature explorations turned into a project which came to fruition in October with the publication of my new book, London Tree Walks: Arboreal Ambles Through the Green Metropolis.

8 November, 2020 3

The Carlton Road Oak: Ealing’s Elephantine Tree

A few months ago, I heard the strange tale of an oak tree in Ealing which marks the spot where an elephant is buried. I realised I had to find out more, so off to Ealing I went...

6 September, 2020 3

London’s Street Trees revised edition is officially launched

It’s been a busy few weeks in the tree publishing world. Hot on the heels of virtually launching the Great Trees of London map last week, last night was the official launch of the fully revised edition of London’s Street Trees.

1 May, 2020 0

London’s Great Trees – Virtually

On Saturday, I made my second foray into live video presentations with the virtual launch of the Great Trees of London Map, recently published by Blue Crow Media.

20 April, 2020 1

London’s Street Trees gets an update!

I’m very pleased to announce that a new, expanded and fully revised edition of London's Street Trees has been published by Safe Haven!

14 April, 2020 5

Navigating the Urban Forest: Great Trees of London Map is here!

In 2019, I was asked by Blue Crow Media, the publisher of some very cool city maps, whether I’d like to edit a map of London’s greatest trees. Now, that’s a fascinating project I thought, and so I said yes straightaway. Nine months later, and after much discussion and whittling down I’m really pleased to say the very beautiful Great Trees of London Map has been published!

11 March, 2020 1

Ada Salter and the Beautification of Bermondsey

Ada Salter, was the driving force behind the transformation of Bermondsey from industrial slum to green oasis. By 1930, 7,000 trees were planted on the new estates and the streets of the borough.

14 July, 2019 4

Trekking through the urban forest

In August last year I walked through Epping Forest from Epping tube station to Chingford. It's an amazing walk with incredible beech pollards and prehistoric earthworks, musclebound hornbeams and rare wild crab apple trees to be seen along the way. It's just a section from one of the trails through London, from the greenbelt to... Continue Reading →

7 April, 2019 0

London is a Forest – A Labour of Love

I'm thrilled to announce, on Valentine's Day, that my new book 'London is a Forest' will be published on 2nd May! It’s a book about Urban Nature, and, I hope, a new way to look at London. There’s lots of great nature books out there, but this one’s a little different, it’s about the plants... Continue Reading →

14 February, 2019 1

Sheffield’s tree protestors show stainless steel

This is the post I’ve been thinking about for months. Yep, the one about how they’re cutting down all the street trees in Sheffield. Until now I didn’t feel I could quite do it justice, but a few days ago I went to Sheffield to meet the campaigners and to see for myself what was... Continue Reading →

2 October, 2018 4

Follow Me