Review

A Review of Thomas Pakenham’s The Tree Hunters

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review book ‘The Tree Hunters’ by Thomas Pakenham review

This past summer was nothing short of magical in my garden. After seventeen years, our beloved handkerchief tree, Davidia involucrata, finally bloomed in all its glory. The delicate, cream-colored bracts draped over its branches reminded me of the countless stories hidden within the leaves of history. It was a moment of pure joy, not just for me, but undoubtedly for Père Armand David, the first European to witness this ethereal tree in full bloom during his travels in northwest China back in 1869. His discovery, as Thomas Pakenham so beautifully captures in The Tree Hunters: How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed Our Landscape, is a testament to the enduring allure of trees and the adventurous souls who sought them out.

The Joy of Trees: Personal Connection

There’s something profoundly satisfying about nurturing a tree from a sapling to a majestic specimen in your garden. Each leaf, each blossom tells a story of patience, care, and an unspoken bond between gardener and nature. Pakenham taps into this universal love for trees, weaving a narrative that celebrates their beauty and the relentless pursuit to discover and cultivate them. His passion for trees is infectious, making you appreciate the silent giants that adorn our landscapes even more.

The Age of the Tree Hunters: Adventurers of Botany

The early chapters of The Tree Hunters transport us back to a time when exploration was not just about mapping unknown lands but also about discovering the botanical treasures that lay hidden within them. Pakenham introduces us to the Tradescants—father and son—who laid the groundwork for botanical exploration in the early 17th century. John Tradescant the younger, in particular, emerges as the archetypal tree hunter, embarking on daring voyages to North America and returning with treasures like the tulip tree. These early adventurers were the pirates of the plant world, venturing into the unknown to bring back flora that would transform European gardens.

Heroes of Horticulture: From Tradescants to Douglas

As the narrative unfolds, Pakenham shines a spotlight on the true heroes of horticulture—the tree hunters of the 18th and 19th centuries. These intrepid explorers braved harsh climates, treacherous terrains, and often hostile environments to collect trees and seeds from every corner of the globe. Figures like John Bartram, Peter Collinson, Joseph Banks, and David Douglas are portrayed not just as scientists but as buccaneers of botany, whose contributions laid the foundation for the diverse arboretums we cherish today.

David Douglas’s epic journeys through North America, for example, highlight the lengths to which these botanists would go. His tragic end, falling into a cattle pit and being killed by an enraged bull, underscores the perilous nature of their quests. Similarly, Joseph Hooker’s capture by hostile lamas in Tibet and Robert Fortune’s somewhat misleading adventures in China reveal the darker, more dangerous side of botanical exploration.

Beyond the Hunters: The Vast Plant Trade

While the tree hunters were undoubtedly the stars of Pakenham’s narrative, he doesn’t shy away from illustrating the vast and complex supply chains that supported their adventures. The establishment of massive nurseries like Brompton Park, founded by George London and Henry Wise, and the grand projects undertaken by Frederick, Prince of Wales, and his wife Augusta at Carlton House, showcase the sheer scale of the plant trade. By the early 18th century, nurseries were thriving industries, capable of nurturing and distributing millions of plants across continents.

Pakenham effectively dismantles the romanticized image of solitary tree hunters, revealing a more intricate network of nurseries, merchants, and customers that drove the global plant trade. The staggering numbers—such as the ten million plants cultivated at Brompton Park by 1715—highlight the industrial aspect of horticulture, where passion met commerce on an unprecedented scale.

A Different Vision of Gardens

In The Tree Hunters, Pakenham also delves into the evolving philosophies of garden design. He contrasts the adventurous tree hunters with the landscape architects of the time, like Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Pakenham, with his deep appreciation for arboretums, expresses a certain disdain for the smooth, formulaic designs of the landscape school, which prioritized aesthetics over the excitement of discovery. Instead, he aligns himself with visionaries like Humphry Repton and John Claudius Loudon, who sought to create gardens that were both beautiful and scientifically significant.

This perspective resonates with me as someone who believes that gardens should be living museums of natural history, where each tree and plant tells a story. Pakenham’s advocacy for the arboretum as a space of both aesthetic pleasure and botanical education is a refreshing take in the often visually-driven world of garden design.

Critique: The Bigger Picture Missing

However, The Tree Hunters is not without its flaws. While Pakenham excels in storytelling, painting vivid pictures of the tree hunters’ adventures and the lush landscapes they sought to cultivate, the book occasionally overlooks the broader historical and environmental impacts of their endeavors. The introduction of non-native species, for instance, had profound ecological consequences that are only briefly touched upon.

Moreover, Pakenham’s focus on the heroic narratives of individual hunters sometimes overshadows the systemic aspects of the plant trade, such as the economic forces and colonial dynamics that fueled the demand for exotic flora. A more nuanced exploration of these factors would have provided a deeper understanding of how and why certain trees were prized over others, and the long-term effects of their widespread cultivation.

Conclusion: Why The Tree Hunters is a Must-Read

Despite these critiques, The Tree Hunters remains a captivating and enlightening read. Thomas Pakenham’s ability to intertwine personal passion with historical research creates a narrative that is both informative and deeply engaging. His love for trees and admiration for the tree hunters shine through every page, making you appreciate not just the final arboretums but the arduous journeys and sacrifices that made them possible.

For anyone fascinated by the history of horticulture, the exploration of natural landscapes, or simply the beauty of trees, The Tree Hunters is a must-read. It offers a window into a world where science, adventure, and commerce converged to transform our gardens and, by extension, our relationship with nature.

As I reflect on my own blooming handkerchief tree, I can’t help but feel a connection to those early tree hunters. Their legacy lives on in every tree that stands tall in our gardens, a living testament to their courage, curiosity, and relentless pursuit of beauty.

If you’re looking to deepen your appreciation for the trees that grace your surroundings and understand the fascinating history behind their presence, Thomas Pakenham’s The Tree Hunters is the perfect companion. It’s a journey through time that celebrates the silent giants that connect us to our past and inspire us for the future.

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