Great Trees of Britain and Ireland

A lively companion for exploring the ancient arboreal treasures of Britain and Ireland. A wealth of distinguished old trees and forests grow in Great Britain and Ireland. Boasting Europe's largest number of ancient oaks and yews, these two islands are home to forests dating back centuries, lined with amazing arboreal avenues and some truly majestic individual trees. In this book, Kew expert Tony Hall profiles sixty amazing ancient trees, avenues, and forests across Britain and Ireland. Hall leads readers on a journey from the Scottish Highlands--where towering Scots pines can trace their lineage to Ice Age forests dating back more than 9,000 years--to the imposing Irish beech avenue known as Dark Hedges, famously seen on TV's Game of Thrones. He tells the stories of the oaks that witnessed ancient battles at the Gateway of the Dead in Wales and illuminates how what were once royal hunting forests in central and southern England now provide a crucial refuge for rare fauna and flora. Featuring a foreword by renowned tree expert Tony Kirkham, and enhanced with ninety color images, this book not only offers a guide to the best ancient trees in Britain and Ireland but also aims to help protect these irreplaceable treasures by telling their stories to a wider audience.