In his lively and informative descriptions of some of the treasures he has discovered, Alistair Scott draws on his experience of more than five decades of climbing, planting, felling, managing, measuring, admiring, photographing and even chewing trees. His enthusiasm for the subject is brightly infectious, and with examples of native and introduced species taken from all over the country - from Kelso to Hoy, Banchory to Stranraer, Montrose to Gigha - readers may well be inspired to visit the sites he so vividly depicts.
Alistair Scott has written several books including 100 Desirable Trees (1999) and Tree in the Grange (1995). He is the director of the Forestry Commission and lives in Edinburgh. Heather Insh is a talented illustrator and works for The Scotsman. She lives in Inverness-shire.