Ghost Trees: Nature and People in a London Parish by Bob Gilbert longlisted for the Wainwright prize

Bob Gilbert, named ‘the tree-whisperer’ by the Guardian, has been longlisted for the prestigious UK Wainwright prize for Nature and Travel Writing for his book, Ghost Trees, published by Saraband.

The book, described by Patrick Barkham as ‘a joyous hymn to the urban wild and a clarion call for better – greener, wilder – cities’ is the story of a city landscape told through its trees, both past and present.

Sara Hunt, Saraband publisher says, "I am delighted to see Bob Gilbert appearing on this prestigious list, and in such company – and it’s quite a feather in his cap to add this accolade to his recognition for the Rathbones Folio Prize, too. Urban nature is of increasing importance in our alarmingly built-up, depleted environment. Bob’s warm, entertaining and beautifully written book opens our eyes to these mostly unseen spaces and helps us to stay alert to the wild places and species we often overlook."

The shortlist announcement is 2 July, Waterstones Piccadilly - good luck Bob and Saraband!