Experience the ancient roots and enduring natural beauty of New York as never before.
New York City, once a lush and verdant group of forested islands, is still home to a rich collection of diverse tree species, each with a story to tell about the city’s past. This gorgeous book by naturalist and photographer Benjamin Swett offers stunning color photographs, personal narratives, and fascinating historical observations about a select few of the thousands of trees that thrive in the five boroughs―from the sprawling New York Botanical Garden in spring bloom to the snow-laden residential blocks of Queens in winter. Swett’s warm and welcome voice adds depth and perspective to his collection, as well as an unmistakable charm unique to his city’s cosmopolitan character. The stories of these trees―some dating back to the Revolutionary era and before―link the living with the past in a visceral and engaging way that will leave readers with a renewed and lasting appreciation of their own environments. This book is a new edition to New York City of Trees. 100 color photographs

Trees of New York City

Arts & Photography

Swett, Benjamin

Photography & Video

Countryman Press

"This is a haunting and insightful work that transcends the picturesque to approach the profound."―Robert Stone Route 22 is a 350-mile highway that connects Manhattan and Montreal. One day while driving on it, Benjamin Swett was struck by the contrast between the landscape he could see through his car window and the more romantic one he remembered from his childhood. Without any particular plan, he set out to discover how the upstate New York of James Fenimore Cooper and Thomas Cole became this other place―a seemingly lost, untended region of Off-Track Betting Parlors and Tattoo Emporiums, abandoned diners, and ancient buildings crumbling into forgotten canals. The result of his exploration is this book―an insightful and deeply personal meditation on this complicated and beautiful landscape, accompanied by ninety evocative photographs. 90 duotone photographs

Route 22

Quantuck Lane Press

We know that trees improve living conditions in cities by filtering and cooling the air, absorbing excess rainwater, and making neighborhoods more attractive. But little has been said about their role as keepers of a city's past. In this collection of personal narratives, historical observations, and color photographs, Benjamin Swett focuses on trees with stories to tell, adding a warm and welcome narrative that is unique to New York City and its cosmopolitan character. The stories of these trees from all five boroughs--some dating back to the Revolutionary era and before--link the living with the past in an unusual, engaging way. A show of the photographs from the book will take place at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, March 6 through April 26, 2013.

New York City of Trees

The Picture Not Taken: On Life and Photography

Humor & Entertainment

New York Review Books

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Books by Swett, Benjamin