Trees in town and city environments take quite a punishment. Compaction, bad drainage, irregular moisture supply, lack of light, heavy pruning and training, root damage from construction – it’s amazing that so many do so well.

But the correct management makes a huge difference to whether urban trees succeed or fail, whether they look attractive and whether they stay safe. This book, by one of Britain’s foremost experts, will help anyone looking after trees in towns or cities ensure they contribute significantly to the townscape. The death last year of a pregnant woman as a result of a tree falling on her in a New York park highlights the issue of tree safety which is a current running through the book.

This is a very practical book, packed with guidance on bringing out the best in urban trees and helping them deal with what is, after all, an unnatural environment while ensuring the safety of everyone enjoying them. And while it’s written by a British expert arborist, the principles he discusses have relevance in a wide range of temperate climates.

Urban Trees: A Practical Management Guide by Steve Cox is published by Crowood Press

• Valuable practical guide to the care of urban trees
• Helps ensure trees are safe and contribute to the urban environment
• Derived from decades of practical experience
• Full of helpful practical photography