Paul Wood - Tree Hunting Book Evening Talk

Paul Wood - Tree Hunting Book Talk

Entry is free, but if you can afford to, please consider a donation to help us cover our costs.

Join Plymouth Tree People and Paul Wood for a talk about Paul's new book, Tree Hunting: 1,000 Trees to Find in Britain and Ireland’s Towns and Cities. While the book covers the whole of the UK and Ireland, Paul's talk will feature many local trees that made it into the book.

Over the past 5 years Paul Wood has travelled over 30,000 miles around the UK tracking down and documenting 1000 of Britain’s most remarkable trees—some as old as Stonehenge, others tied to legends and historic events barely known outside the neighbourhoods where they grow. He recorded these trees in his new book Tree Hunting, which was published by Penguin imprint Particular Books on 29th May.

From a stumpy sycamore in Shetland, contorted by wind and hard weather, to the shining jewel in Brighton’s unlikely treasure trove of elms, Paul travels on a quest from north to south rooting out the legends and tall tales behind these marvelous specimens. As he delves into this rich ecosystem, he reveals how trees are inextricably bound to the story of our towns and cities: they have always meant a great deal to those that live near them, and they continue to shape the fabric of urban life in deep, and often surprising ways.

Including sumptuous maps, grid references and charming travel notes so you can plan adventures of your own, Tree Hunting will help you unlock the secrets of Britain and Ireland’s urban forests.

About Paul Wood
A constant explorer of cities and the irrepressible, boisterous nature they support, Paul Wood is the author of several books, including London is a Forest. He has been fascinated by trees ever since he noticed a beech seedling unfurling in his back garden as a child. He lives in London under the canopy of a pair of Victorian plane trees.About Tree HuntingTree Hunting: 1,000 Trees to Find in Britain and Ireland's Towns and Cities was published in May 2025 by Particular Books.The book is more than just a collection of stories about trees; it is an effort to preserve and honour the notable trees of Britain and Ireland and offers a new way to experience our towns and cities. Paul is keen to emphasize the importance of community involvement in protecting our urban trees to ensure they are preserved for future generations.

Many of the trees in the book were unnamed until Paul highlighted them. Paul believes that naming trees is a way to celebrate the trees and help local communities engage with them; he wants people to feel empowered to name their local trees.

Our evenings are held at Cafe Momus on Manor Street and start at 6.30pm but please arrive in good time to get a drink and seat. The bar will be open throughout and we hope you can join us at this relaxed venue for a drink or some food after the talk.

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