With or Without Trees…

Famous landscape paintings have been recreated without trees by an Edinburgh University scientist to draw attention to the value of woods and forests.

Dr Iain Woodhouse removed trees from Constable’s The Haywain, Seurat’s Sunday afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte, and Van Gogh’s Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun.

He hopes his work will highlight the threat of global deforestation.

He said: “It is crucial that trees do not disappear from our landscapes.”

Dr Woodhouse, an expert in the satellite mapping of forests, used photo-editing software to erase the trees from the famous works.

He added: “Trees are a vital global resource, providing fuel, shelter, clean water and food for many species including people, and helping to maintain a healthy atmosphere by harvesting carbon dioxide.”

Lifted sidewalks, cracked pavement, uneven walking surfaces: when these problems appear around mature trees, the roots usually get the blame.

Urban tree populations in cities around the world are under pressure. Despite the clear benefits trees bring, including cooling streets,

When the phrase root girdling appears in a specification meeting or planning discussion, it tends to stop the conversation cold.

One of the biggest challenges facing the urban greening industry today is how we respond effectively to the accelerating climate

Planting a tree is often framed as an act of optimism, a gesture toward a greener, more hopeful future. But

Designing urban landscapes that successfully support both healthy tree growth and the structural needs of pavements, pathways, and vehicle areas

Soil in urban environments rarely provides the conditions trees need to grow and thrive. Limited rooting space, compaction, and conflicts

Our existing urban drainage systems are being asked to do far more than they were ever designed for. Denser development,

Each winter, towns and cities adopt a more festive character. Streets are illuminated, markets appear, and in many public squares

Urban environments are complex, high-demand spaces where every inch of land serves a function. Yet even in densely built areas,