Did you know that over a century ago, a remarkable duo set out on an ambitious quest to catalog the diverse trees of Britain and Ireland? Henry John Elwes and Dr. Augustine Henry took on this monumental task, resulting in the creation of an extensive reference work titled Trees of Great Britain and Ireland. This significant compilation spans seven volumes, totaling 2,022 pages, featuring 412 primary photographs and documenting more than 500 different tree species.
What makes this new edition particularly fascinating is its emphasis on the often-overlooked influence of photography in the original work, showcasing 64 litho-printed images accompanied by a thoughtful essay from photographic historian and author Michael Pritchard.
The backdrop of this project was the Victorian era's deep fascination with documenting the natural world, fueled by advances in printing technology and the use of photography in both artistic and scientific contexts. The initial volumes included collotype reproductions of the photographs, chosen for their broad tonal range and exceptional detail retention. However, despite photography being a crucial element of this publication, only a handful of photographers received credit. Those acknowledged were primarily those who provided images from estate owners or their neighbors. Elwes’s typescript notes on the creation of the book make only fleeting mentions of the photographic contributions and specifically name two photographers, Mr. Wallis and Mr. Foster.
Under Elwes's close guidance, these photographers approached their subjects with an objective lens, capturing images that not only highlighted the shape and features of the trees but also offered context, occasionally including human figures to provide scale. It stands to reason that similar instructions regarding composition and approach would have been imparted to other uncredited photographers involved in the project, as they strove to maintain a consistent typological style throughout the work.
Trees of Britain & Ireland is derived from The Trees of Great Britain and Ireland released between 1906 and 1913 by Henry John Elwes and Dr. Augustine Henry, enriched by a new essay from Michael Pritchard and a postscript by Björn Andersson. This compelling volume, published by RRB PhotoBooks in November 2025, is available in a standard edition priced at £35 and a special edition at £75, which includes a collotype print from the original book. For those interested, further details can be found at RRB PhotoBooks' website.
