We interviewed Mark Johnston, UK-based tree expert and author of Planting Ideas in the Urban Forest, a 50-year account of arboriculture, urban forestry and urban greening in Great Britain, Ireland and internationally. Mark’s close encounter with cancer inspired his autobiography, which was featured in the Arbor Age (Australia), Arborist News, Quarterly Journal of Forestry, Irish Forestry, Forestry Journal (UK) and Horticulture Week.
Mark’s career at the forefront of arboriculture inspired Planting Ideas in the Urban Forest. Beginning as a forestry worker in West Wales, Mark has been a tree surgeon contractor, tree officer in local government, consultant in private practice, government advisor and university academic.
“The world of trees and urban greening has been very good to me and I’ve had the pleasure of working with many excellent people along the way,” Mark states. “Indeed, without their support and encouragement, I would have accomplished very little. By working together we’ve not only done much to protect and enhance our urban forests, we’ve also planted many new ideas about how to do this more effectively.”
The book captures 50 years of groundbreaking work in urban greening and community tree planting, offering personal insights and heartwarming anecdotes to inspire readers about the transformative power of trees. Researching professional arboriculture in 2017, Mark was soon diagnosed with blood cancer. After chemotherapy, Mark went into remission (and thankfully has remained that way), inciting a fresh vision to write an autobiography.
Mark shares, “One entirely personal reason for writing this autobiography is to leave a record of my work for my family. [My wife] Anne and I often joke that most of our relatives have little idea about what I’ve been doing all these years – apart from it having something to do with trees! So, now that I’m in my early seventies, it’s high time to put that right – and to do it in a readable way.”
Uniting war-torn communities through trees
Mark recalls of all his many challenges, successes and untold stories of impactful projects, the Forest of Belfast stands out. Running during the tumultuous years of The Troubles, a period of armed and civil conflict in Northern Ireland, the Forest of Belfast (1991-1994) promoted urban forestry and brought communities together through tree planting, arts and education. Despite the challenges of working in a divided and conflict-stricken city, the project made significant contributions to both the environment and community healing.
“On the positive side, we promoted the concept of urban forestry to the relevant agencies and organised many successful events and activities to prompt the public’s appreciation and concern for trees. However, this had to be done against a background of armed conflict, civil unrest and community division where large areas of Belfast were effectively a warzone. Not only that, the process of building and sustaining a project partnership in such a sensitive and highly-charged atmosphere was like negotiating your way through a minefield.”
The Forest of Belfast remains a testament to the resilience and potential of urban greening, with Belfast continuing its leadership in urban forestry. With many Australians of British or Irish descent, Mark appreciates his contribution towards healing the environment and community divisions in a city that desperately needed some positive experiences.
After publishing three books on the history of urban trees and professional arboriculture, Mark’s efforts as an author were commended by the President of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), receiving his third ISA Award of Distinction, popularly called the ‘Tree Oscars’.
An international perspective on urban greening
Mark has been fortunate that his work has taken him to many different countries around the world. This includes the United States, Canada, South Africa and many European countries. He has also spent much time in Hong Kong and mainland China having first gone there in 1987 to teach arboriculture on behalf of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Unfamiliar with the intricate details and idiosyncrasies of urban forestry practices in Australia, Mark emphasises universal principles of urban greening found in the book. Chief among these is the concept of tree equity—ensuring that all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status, have equal access to the benefits of trees.
“As I’ve never been to Sydney and I’m not familiar with tree management in that city, it would be presumptuous to say very much. However, my book is full of lots of ideas and approaches to urban greening that could be applied to many cities. I’m sure there’s plenty of ‘food for thought’ there for both residents of Sydney and city authorities.”
“When I first became a tree officer in London, I noticed the obvious disparity in tree cover between the wealthy and poorer parts of the city. When my work took me to see different cities around the world, I saw the same pattern of tree cover repeated to a greater or lesser extent. The aim of urban forestry is to improve the welfare of urban residents; the planting and care of trees is a means to that end, not an end in itself. I would stress that tree equity isn’t just about canopy cover. The principle behind this should pervade all aspect of urban forest planning and management so there is equity and fairness across all areas of Sydney.”
Ideas for urban greening – get the book!
To download a free copy of the e-book Planting Ideas in the Urban Forest by Mark Johnston, visit www.markjohnstontrees.com. There is also an option to purchase your own printed copy at cost price. You’ll find plenty of ideas and inspiration to get involved in local greening initiatives, wherever you may be.
