Richard Collier

“Ancient trees map our history and resonate with personality”

Although most of England’s once vast wildwood is long vanished, the country has one of Europe’s highest concentrations of ancient trees, with many examples of 1,000 years old and more. It is these extraordinary icons of longevity that fascinate Richard, who seeks out our great oaks and chestnuts, capturing their gnarled, sculptural presence and essential spirit through his uniquely manipulated, limited edition photographic prints. Each evocative, richly toned study reminds us of nature’s endless cycle and enduring power.

Richard spends many hours exploring our precious remaining woodlands such as Savernake Forest and locating distinguished individual trees like the Electric Oak in South Gloucestershire and the Darley Oak on the edge of Bodmin Moor. By revealing their shape, colours, twists, quirks and essential character, he charts a very special English natural history.