Plant a Tree and Retree the World Retree the world

There has never been a better time to plant a tree of your very own. Learn why and how in this guide to everything trees, from their importance to the environment to exactly what they need to thrive.

CO2 levels soar and rainforests around the world are being torn down at record rates. From their invaluable role in fighting climate change and cleaning the air of our cities, to the huge mental health benefits being around them 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, this guide teaches us everything we need to know about trees, from the science behind how they help regulate temperature or clean pollution in urban environments, to which kind of soil different species of tree prefer or how to pollard a tree to maintain a high-growth state.

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, and towns and cities.

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 many threats they face from climate change.
• Growing Your Own Tree – Tips on growing saplings from seed, cuttings or grafting, as well as guidance on care and maintenance, from weeding and mulching to when to prune.
• 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, as well as an introduction to how to recognise trees from their leaf shape, flowers, seeds and fruit.
• Trees and Happiness – Research has proven that trees are effective at reducing our stress levels and improving our mental as well as our physical well-being, and this section delves into exactly how they do this.

...as well as much more, including advice on purchasing sustainably produced wooden products as well as tips on careers involving trees.

Whether you’re a keen gardener, an avid environmental activist or simply want to learn more about these beautiful and powerful organisms, this stylishly designed and beautifully illustrated book is a must-read, and sends the powerful message that we can grow a better world, one tree at a time!

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 is a printmaker and illustrator with a unique style, evoking the traditional feel of British Wood Engravings within the aesthetic of contemporary illustration. She first encountered woodcut at 19 during her foundation diploma in Bristol, UK, where she created huge life-size portraits of British farming and pasted them on abandoned walls around the city. Her interest in Printmaking took her to Mexico, where she visited various Printmaking collectives and began to understand the potential for Print as a means of communication and a collaborative process. In 2016 Rosanna co-founded Cato Press, where she prints, and teaches. Many of her prints explore themes of agriculture, horticulture and the natural world. Previous clients include, Resurgence and Ecologist magazine, The Soil Association, Pukka, The Royal College of Art, The Landworkers Alliance, The Land Magazine, La Via Campesina, Nylenie, Vital seeds, Taproot Magazine, and Oeffa- Ohio ecological food and farming association.