The Essential Tree Selection Guide
for climate resilience, carbon storage, species diversity and other ecosystem benefits
Henrik Sjöman and Arit Anderson
Published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
There has never been a better time to plant trees. As well as playing a vital role in the health of the natural world and of us humans, these essential life-giving plants also deliver a vast array of hidden benefits such as cooling shade, rainfall interception and carbon capture – but only if we plant the right tree in the right place.
At the heart of the book is a unique A-Z Tree Directory representing more than 550 trees chosen for their ecosystem benefits, resilience and a host of other criteria that will ensure their continuing contribution to our future gardens and landscapes. A further quick-reference Tree Selection Table provides key attributes for each species at a glance.
This exciting new tree selection guide marks a step change in approach that will lead to successful outcomes for trees and a better environment for future generations.
Henrik Sjöman is Scientific Curator at Gothenburg Botanical Garden, a Senior Researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and an Honorary Research Associate at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He specializes in how trees deliver ecosystem services in urban landscapes and the practical applications of this in terms of diversifying the urban treescape. Henrik communicates his research through numerous publications and by lecturing to urban planners, landscape architects, garden designers and tree nurseries throughout the world.
Arit Anderson studied garden design at Capel Manor College and rose quickly to success at RHS Chelsea 2013 winning the Fresh Talent category followed by a Gold Medal at RHS Hampton Court in 2016 for her own show garden which highlighted the need for renewable energy. She is a presenter for BBC Gardeners' World, hosts a popular podcast' Growing Greener' and writes for national publications all of which enable her to open up the debate about the future of gardening in a changing climate to a wide audience.
The Essential Tree Selection Guide, Henrik Sjöman and Arit Anderson
£50 │ ISBN: 9781739903947 │ 12th October 2023
If you’re in the UK, buy from Bookshop.org and support independent bookshops
“I’ve been waiting for something like The Essential Tree Selection Guide for some time. It has a great sense of ambition… Aside from being invaluable for professionals, this book will be a useful and insightful guide for enthusiasts, amateur gardeners and people with a keen interest in understanding climate, climate change and the functioning of our ecosystems”
Gardens Illustrated
“Providing insight into the world of academic articles without having to dive into the vast, often inaccessible pool of studies is this book’s big advantage and I hope it will spread the message about the plethora of benefits trees provide to gardeners.”
RHS The Garden magazine
“The book draws together into one volume all the elements of the various tree-themed books that we designers usually turn to for identification, research, fact, and design..”
Garden Design Journal
“It marks a significant addition to our knowledge of trees for climate resilience and species diversity and will be a valuable addition to the horticultural bookshelves of both professional and amateur gardeners and designers.”
The Reckless Gardener podcast
“… answers just about every arboreal question you could possibly ask.”
The Oldie
Many books have been published on trees, but this guide offers a new, informative angle to choosing trees for our gardens and has a place amongst other dendrological classics on the professional gardener's bookshelf.
The Professional Gardener journal
"This book is a hugely impressive piece of work. It will be of great assistance to tree specifiers, especially those new and recent to the trade, and those with only basic knowledge of the many tree species that might be appropriate for public planting in parks and streets.”
HortWeek
“It explores trees for climate change, carbon storage and species diversity amongst other benefits to the ecosystem, pushing the idea of ‘right tree, right place’ to realise these benefits. A foreword by Kevin Martin, head of tree collections at Kew, says it offers “a modern-day approach to tree selection, and one that is desperately needed at this important time, as we see how our climate is changing.”
ProLandscaper
“It’s an invaluable resource for those considering adding trees to their property or who simply want to learn more about these ecological treasures.”
The Garden Club of America
“The Essential Tree Selection Guide, published in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, highlights the latest research on the ability of trees to deliver important ecosystem services, deal with different growing environments and address flooding.”
Landscape, the journal of the Landscape Institute
“This important new tree selection guide marks a step change in approach that will lead to more trees reaching their full potential and a richer environment for future generations. And the book provides vital reference for all – whether for a homeowner making choices within their garden, contractors managing open spaces to landscape architects designing an urban landscape.”
Landscaper magazine
“essential reading . . . an epic book and worth every penny.”
The Forestry Journal
“Every now and then, a new tree book comes along which immediately grabs your attention. With the ever increasing need for a properly informed approach to tree planting, The Essential Tree Selection Guide does just that.”
Westonbirt magazine
“The Essential Tree Selection Guide is a quantum shift for trees’ portrayal in gardening literature, focusing on their “ecosystem services” – that is, their critical role in ecosystems – rather than their horticultural qualities and seasonal visual appeal.”
Garden News
Related reading and watching
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Henrik and Arit talk about their first encounters with trees and what to plant now on the RHS podcast
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Big love of trees. Arit Anderson explains how the book came about on Standard Issue podcast
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Arit’s 5-point plant for planting trees in Garden News
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“More quality than quantity” urge authors of new book on tree selection - Pro Landscaper report