BOOKS
Allotment Forestry :
Hart, Robert (1991) Forest Gardening, Green Books, ISBN 1-870098-44-7
Describes the principles and practices of forest gardening (a form of agroforestry or permaculture) and shows its potential value for countering environmental devastation both in the West and the Third World. Introduces a wide range of possibilities for growing more trees and associated plants in our towns for food and other products. Review: A classic book that takes the concept of allotment forestry a stage further.
Baines, Chris (1985) How to make a wildlife garden, Elm Tree Books, ISBN 0-241-11144-7
Shows how even a tiny area of garden can be transformed into a haven for wildlife and people! All sorts of habitats are included and discussed with a woodland edge and hedgerow especially useful for the Allotment Garden.
Hill, Fran (1988) Wildlife Gardening: a practical handbook, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, ISBN 1-871444-004
A practical handbook packed with information and giving stage by stage instructions on how to create a wildlife garden.
Palmer, Joy (1985), The garden a nature reserve, Dryad Press, ISBN 0-8521 9626-1
The first part looks at the individual habitats which combine to make a garden- grass, trees, flowers, hedges, ponds etc. Ideas are given for maintaining, improving and extending these to provide safe homes for and food for wildfire. Second part focuses on some of the creatures that may be encouraged into these habitats.
Moss, Stephen and Cottridge, David (2000) Attracting birds to your garden, New Holland, ISBN 1-85974-005-7
Comprehensive guide to designing your garden to benefit birds. Many aspects integrate well with allotment forestry projects. Beautifully illustrated with a large directory of birds likely to visit gardens.
Kiser, Barbara (1991) Trees and Aftercare: A practical handbook, BTCV ISBN 0-946752-07-9
A good practical guide to planting and looking after young trees, including growing the me from seed.
Hodge, Simon (1995) Creating and Managing Woodlands around Towns, Forestry Commission Handbook 11, ISBN 0-11-710328-4
An easy to read technical book on how to plan, create and manage urban woodlands. Written to guide the creation of larger woodlands than the typical Allotment Forest however the basic principles are much the same.
Dunnett, Nigel (2000) At the Cutting Edge, The Garden Vol 125 part 5 pages 388-391
Describes how to establish and manage a coppice garden. Detailed descriptions on how and what to plant from shrubs to ground flora. Review: Only serious gardening text on the subject I have seen. I would be a little uneasy on his woody species choice in many garden contexts but ground flora details very helpful.
LWPI (2001) Growing your own beanpoles
Produced by the Local Woodland Products Initiative and available as a booklet or via the website www.allotmentforestry.com 16 page booklet giving detailed advice on planting and looking after small coppice plot in the garden or allotment to produce beanpoles. Includes advice on establishing ground flora. Review: Obviously good as we produced it! A comprehensive treatment but does not include details on the use of non-native species of wood y shrubs or flowers.
Whitefield, Patrick (1993) Permaculture in a nutshell, Permanent Publications, ISBN1-85623-003-1
Permaculture is an ecologically sound way of providing for all our needs. For me it can get a bit too clever but it has many interesting and imaginative ideas on environmentally friendly gardening techniques many of which combine well with Allotment Forestry. Review: This is a concise and accessible guide to the principles and practise of permaculture and is a good starting point.