ON Sunday Buckinghamshire Tree Wardens had the opportunity to see the work of volunteers over more than two decades who have renovated Priestfield Arboretum at Little Kingshill near Great Missenden.

Tree wardens were shown trees that are endangered in the wild and learned that they could also help conservation and enrich their own local treescapes by encouraging the planting of such trees and even ordinary people to grow some of them in their front gardens.

With trees from all over the world carefully planted like this, towns and villages could become famous for the linier arboreta along their streets!

Priestfield Arboretum represents a reference library of trees, many with a fascinating history, particularly as to their introduction.

Some came from China only because Catherine the Great was a fanatical collector and protected missionaries on their journeys to bring her these rare trees and from Moscow, seed went to other arboreta in Europe.

Others were discovered by the early settlers in America as they explored the east coast to high mountains in the west.

Careful planting in gardens and verges could make many mundane streets stimulating places to stroll along.

The guidebook to Priestfeild describes the history as well as the trees can be obtained by sending us £2 payable to The Dendrologist.

Merelene Davis , PO Box 341, Chesham , HP5 2RD