Tree Talks - 'The Right to Plant'
In this political history of roadside tree planting in the Netherlands by Jan Woudstra, he will shares one aspect of tree planting that has determined the characteristic appearance of the Dutch landscape. The Netherlands have been celebrated for their roadside tree planting since they were incorporated in sixteenth century landscape paintings; it is noted by seventeenth century visitors and has continued to inspire visitors to adopt the practice elsewhere. Yet why it occurred, who was responsible for this, and who were thought to benefit has rarely been discussed. The origins can be traced in an ancient feudal right, pootrecht, or Right to Plant. It also was applied differently in the various regions and was sometimes an obligation rather than a right. This talk explores some of the policies and politics that have led to tree planting practices in the Netherlands being termed unprecedented and providing some of the most compelling examples of urban tree planting. Time: 10:00 BST
