The Tree Hunters - How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed our Landscape
Monday, 28th July 2025
‘The Tree Hunters - How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed our Landscape’.
Join celebrated historian, tree enthusiast, and author Thomas Pakenham for a special journey into the world of trees, inspired by his latest book The Tree Hunters: How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed Our Landscape. In this richly illustrated and personal account, Pakenham uncovers the fascinating history of the 19th-century tree hunters—explorers, botanists, and plant collectors—whose passion for exotic species fuelled a wave of arboretum-building across Britain and Ireland.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Huntington Castle, an estate renowned for its collection of champion and heritage trees, this talk will explore the remarkable individuals whose passion for trees reshaped our landscapes and our imaginations.
Thomas Pakenham brings a unique blend of scholarship, wit, and personal experience as a tree hunter himself. This promises to be an unforgettable event for gardeners, tree lovers, and anyone curious about how botanical collections like those at Huntington have come to shape the story of Ireland’s landscape.
Signed copies of The Tree Hunters - How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed our Landscape will be available on the day.
Venue: Huntington Castle and Gardens, Clonegal, Co. Carlow Y21 K237
Time: 11 a.m.
Admission: €15 which includes admission to Huntington Castle Gardens
Ticket options
Would you like to attend these events?
Monday, 28th July 2025
‘The Tree Hunters - How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed our Landscape’.
Join celebrated historian, tree enthusiast, and author Thomas Pakenham for a special journey into the world of trees, inspired by his latest book The Tree Hunters: How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed Our Landscape. In this richly illustrated and personal account, Pakenham uncovers the fascinating history of the 19th-century tree hunters—explorers, botanists, and plant collectors—whose passion for exotic species fuelled a wave of arboretum-building across Britain and Ireland.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Huntington Castle, an estate renowned for its collection of champion and heritage trees, this talk will explore the remarkable individuals whose passion for trees reshaped our landscapes and our imaginations.
Thomas Pakenham brings a unique blend of scholarship, wit, and personal experience as a tree hunter himself. This promises to be an unforgettable event for gardeners, tree lovers, and anyone curious about how botanical collections like those at Huntington have come to shape the story of Ireland’s landscape.
Signed copies of The Tree Hunters - How the Cult of the Arboretum Transformed our Landscape will be available on the day.
Venue: Huntington Castle and Gardens, Clonegal, Co. Carlow Y21 K237
Time: 11 a.m.
Admission: €15 which includes admission to Huntington Castle Gardens
Our payments are processed using : Payyo
Proudly partnered with :
