The tree expert has been a central figure in professional arboriculture for decades.
You have to hand it to him, because now in his early seventies, he's as busy as ever promoting urban trees from his Belfast base.
The book reveals a much-travelled lifetime in arboriculture. The veteran, a long-time fan of HortWeek, has produced 641 pages on his life and career, from falling into forestry in West Wales in 1973 to his eminence as a much-decorated elder statesman in recent years.
Fascinating glimpses of Johnston's early life as a Mandrax-popping hippie and reggae-lover during the Brixton riots era of the early eighties, give way to a nomadic career that takes in much professional development and teaching at Writtle, Merrist Wood, Myerscough and elsewhere. He knew many of the well-known figures such as Peter Bridgeman and Jenny Adams, and was central in the worldwide urban forest movement in the 1980s, where he worked with Richard Branson for a time.
He's done everything, from tree surgery to councils, college head to consultant. Despite his breadth of knowledge, Johnston is modest and businesslike in his writing. What shows is he stood up for his principles and moved on to try something new when his expectations and ambitions weren't met.
Reading this, will bring back memories of many conferences, study tours, controversies, papers, policies and projects that may have been long forgotten, but certainly will provide useful lessons for the future as tree cover becomes more and more important to combat climate change.
There's nothing like a horticulture autobiography to give a new perspective on their chosen field. I've never read an auto of an arboriculturist, or "tree expert" as Johnston calls himself, but I'm glad I did.
STATEMENT
Johnston said: "I’m delighted that my autobiography has now been published. It’s an account of 50 years in the tree world. Working with trees for the benefit of communities and their environment must be the best job in the world. To spend a lifetime doing this has been an absolute privilege.
"I’m fortunate to have worked at the forefront of arboriculture, urban forestry, and urban greening, not only in Britain and Ireland, but also internationally. For the first time, I give the inside story on many pioneering initiatives and crucial episodes, with plenty of unpublished information and revealing insights.
"It's available as a free e-book that can be downloaded from a dedicated website. There is also an option to purchase your own printed copy, at cost price.
"I’m bearing the entire cost of this book project and won’t be making any money from it. It’s my way of saying ‘thank you’ for 50 glorious years in the tree world!
"For details on the free e-book and the printed copy, visit my new website: www.markjohnstontrees.com."
