There has never been a better time to plant a tree! From their invaluable role in fighting climate change and cleaning the air of our cities, to the huge mental health benefits being around their leafy presence can bring, trees are at the very centre of both our urban and rural ecosystems.

Introduction 6 1 TREES AND THE WORLDTrees and the Climate 14Trees, Soil and Fungi 20Trees and Wildlife 26Agroforestry 32 2 TREES AND HAPPINESSShade and Shelter 42Trees and Pollution 46Why Climbing Trees is Good for You 50Expanding Tree-based Play 52Trees and Mental Health 54Community and Reduced Crime 58 3 GROWING TREESRaising Your Own Trees 64Growing Apple Trees on Their Own Roots 68How to Plant a Tree 70Keeping Your Tree Healthy 74Using Woodchip in Your Garden 76 4 THE FORTY BEST TREESMapleAlderBanksiaBirch BottlebrushChestnutBean TreeCedarCercisDogwoodHazelHawthornHandkerchiefGum TreeSpindleBeechFigAshHoney LocustHollyWalnutMagnoliaAppleRedwoodMulberry IronwoodPinePlane AspenAlmondCherryPlumPearOakMangroveBlack LocustWillowElderSorbusElm Guide to Tree Identification 160 5 TREES AND THE ECONOMYBuy Wood to Save the World 166Working With Trees 170 Further Reading 173Index 174Acknowledgments 176