Following the First World War, Kew conifer expert William Dallimore noticed that years of increasing industrial pollution in London was found to be adversely impacting the growth of the trees and went in search of a better environment to house Kews conifer collection. With varied topography and a mixture of soil types, Bedgebury proved to be ideal, and the first planting of trees grown at Kew took place there in 1925. Today Bedgebury is home to nearly 12,000 tree specimens and is a centre for conifer science and conservation. At the heart of the book are the botanical paintings by the Bedgebury National Pinetum Florilegium Society. Founded in 2008, this group of botanical artists are dedicated to documenting the Pinetums remarkable plant collection through scientifically accurate and artistically stunning illustrations.
