Tony Russell

A former Head Forester at Westonbirt Arboretum, Tony Russell is widely regarded as one of Britain's leading authorities on trees and shrubs, having written 18 books and presented many programmes for both TV and radio.

Tony Russell's career with plants and gardens began in 1978 when he joined the Forestry Commission in Snowdonia. In 1980 he went to Newton Rigg, Cumbria to study forestry and horticulture and after qualifying in 1983 he took up post as Forester for the New Forest in Hampshire.

In 1989 he was appointed Head Forester of Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire, one of the finest collections of tree and shrubs in the temperate world. Tony left Westonbirt in 2003 and is now widely regarded as one of Britain's leading authorities on trees and shrubs. Over the past fifteen years he has presented many gardening, horticultural and countryside programmes for both TV and radio, and regularly writes for several magazines and newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and Country Life.

His travels have taken him to Japan, Costa Rica, China and New Zealand and he has built up a loyal following among Brightwater guests.