
The Tree Hunters
How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed Our Landscape
Thomas Pakenham(Author)
Weidenfeld & Nicolson (Publisher)
Published on 23. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-1-4746-1191-6 (ISBN)
Description
For centuries, English country gentlemen had collected exotic pictures for their saloons and rare books for their libraries. By the end of the seventeenth century, they had begun to collect trees. Within the space of a few years, hundreds of new specimen trees enriched the British landscape, and demand was high for the most splendid imports: maples and tulip trees from the American colonies, cypresses and cedars from Europe and Lebanon, and oriental plane from Greece and Turkey, with its romantic associations with Plato's Academy.
How did these extraordinary trees make their way to the gardens of Britain and Ireland? Who were the scholars and daredevils who combed the new and old worlds in search of green treasure? What crimes did they commit, and what price did they pay to bring the world's charismatic megaflora to the gardens of home?
In this exuberant history, Thomas Pakenham reveals the marvellous tales of adventure, discovery, rivalry, and passion that created the modern British landscape.
How did these extraordinary trees make their way to the gardens of Britain and Ireland? Who were the scholars and daredevils who combed the new and old worlds in search of green treasure? What crimes did they commit, and what price did they pay to bring the world's charismatic megaflora to the gardens of home?
In this exuberant history, Thomas Pakenham reveals the marvellous tales of adventure, discovery, rivalry, and passion that created the modern British landscape.
Reviews / Votes
Delightful and adventure-packed . . . I feel indebted to Pakenham for reminding us about the exploits fuelled by rivalry, courage and passion that have helped to populate the British landscape with such glorious - and enduring - giants -- Miranda Seymour * FT * Pakenham is a brilliant storyteller . . . A very readable account of an influential period in botanical history * The English Garden * A rollicking, riveting, hugely entertaining tale of the remarkable people who literally risked life and limb in pursuit of new species of trees to introduce into cultivate in Britain and Ireland, it's both fascinating and poignant * Irish Times * Goes a long way to explaining why our landscape looks the way it does . . . This splendid work will allow us to walk around parks and gardens with a much greater understanding and see them in a new light - very special * Country Life * [Written in] the same clear style that made his Meeting With Remarkable Trees a bestseller . . . ventures beyond the usual stories of the usual heroes -- Robin Lane Fox * FT * It is joy - in trees of all their variety - which suffuses this book. Pakenham loves his trees . . . The Tree Hunters is, like Pakenham's earlier books, beautifully written and enjoyable to read. It radiates pleasure in its subject, which is really the trees themselves. They adorn the gardens of Britain and Ireland, as they do gardens throughout the world, and are well worth the attention which this book gives them. -- Roderick Floud * HISTORY TODAY * Combines [Pakenham's] love of history with his passion for trees -- Harry Mount * Telegraph * These stories of tree collectors and plant hunters have been told before but never so wonderfully nor in so enjoyable a manner. There is a gift in turning the dry facts of history into a living, relevant and enjoyable narrative and this is Thomas Pakenham's gift to us who have an interest in gardening, in trees and in the wonderful background stories and people related to them . . . With the love and enthusiasm, and the experience of collecting and growing trees himself, Thomas Pakenham has given us one of the most informative and enjoyable horticultural books one could imagine. This is a treasure! -- Paddy Tobin * An Irish Gardener * For those of us who share a love of trees and history, a new book from Thomas Pakenham will be opened with the anticipation of a 'good read', and this volume does not disappoint. Thelove of his subject shines through every page . . . The author's style is flowing, very readable and his story-telling abilities are apparent throughout. The academic content provides a sound overview of the subject. The quality of the writing and the innate adventure of the subject matter makes this book accessible to a wider readership . . . What the text achieves very well indeed is to make the connections between the all too human characters, their pursuit of the new and places them firmly in a wider context. This book is a good read and will appeal to armchair travellers, historians and gardeners alike * Garden History *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
344 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4746-1191-6 (9781474611916)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2024
Weidenfeld and Nicholson
€7.99
Available for download
Person
Thomas Pakenham is the author of the critically acclaimed The Scramble for Africa which won the W.H. Smith Award and the Alan Paton Award. He is also the author of The Boer War, The Mountains of Rasselas and The Company of Trees.