In the programme Over the course of this series, Kew tree gurus Tony Kirkham and Jon Hammerton travelled around the country in their quest to learn why British trees have been so important in building and shaping our landscape, culture and society. Watch clips from the series to see how they got on.

Programme one

Tony and Jon begin their arboreal adventure by discovering how the trees live so long and what makes the wood especially good for weapons. The experts enlist the help of schoolchildren to apply some tree therapy, and find out why yew trees are often found in churchyards.

Programme two

The tree experts take a spin in a replica Bronze Age boat and take part in the planting of Britain’s newest oak forest. Tony and Jon visit the Mary Rose to see what types of timber were most useful to shipbuilders, and swap chainsaws for saws when they fell a tree the old way.

Programme three

Jon swaps his usual trees to climb the spire of Salisbury Cathedral, and Tony finds out just how significant oak is to making whiskey. Two trees are examined to see if they are as old as the stories say, and the experts try their hand at traditional tanning.

Programme four

Hedge-laying is a skilled job that Tony and Jon try their hand at before visiting the national championships. The tree team learn how to make charcoal and investigate its more explosive properties, and up in a balloon Tony has a birds-eye view of the countryside.

Programme five

Tony and Jon go in search of rare British apple species, making cider the traditional way and drinking crab-apple mead from horns. The experts find the key to the British Bramley, and see how apples have been an age-old part of celebrating for young and old alike.

Programme six

The team view Scots pines from a helicopter and the team take a trip from above and help to plant new trees in their native environment. The experts help to determine where Britain’s tallest tree is, and Tony demonstrates how resin from the Scots pine was used for making tapers.

Programme seven

Tony and Jon investigate the pliable properties of ash by making furniture and spears. The experts’ knowledge in measuring the age of trees identifies a contender for the oldest ash in Britain, and Tony and Jon learn how to steer the small ash-framed boats called coracles.

Programme eight

The experts join a charity run in aid of Trees for Cities and investigate trees that may now grow in Britain’s warming climate. Tony discovers vital clues to Britain’s arboreal past while fossil hunting on the beach, and the team discover just how Dutch elm disease got its name.

See exclusive video clips and more clips from the series in Tony's tree tips and find out more about arboriculture from the Tree surgeon.