Belfast and its Streets of Trees

Further Event Information

Belfast is fortunate to have an extensive network of tree lined streets, but it hasn't always been that way.

Join renowned street tree expert Mark Johnston and Alan McHaffie of Belfast City Council to hear the fascinating story of our street trees past, present and future.  Introduced by Landscape Architect James Hennessey, the event will include a question and answer session, as well as contributions from local residents.

Contributors

Mark Johnston - an independent scholar who holds a PhD in urban forestry from the University of Ulster. He has over forty years experience in the greenspace industry, including working as a tree officer in local government, consultant in private practice, university lecturer, and government adviser.

Alan McHaffie - is the Senior Woodland and Recreation Officer based within Belfast City Council’s Landscape, Planning and Development unit. Alan has been employed by Belfast City Council for the last thirty eight years, starting his career as one of the Council’s in-house tree surgeons. Alan works with a small team of Woodland and Recreation officers who are responsible for the management of the cities Park and Street trees, High Hedges legislation and the maintenance and daily inspection of the Council’s Playgrounds, MUGAS and Outdoor Gyms.

James Hennessey - Chartered Landscape Architect and Urban Designer based in Belfast. As a Director at The Paul Hogarth Company he leads placemaking and regeneration projects across the island and his native Scotland, with a particular emphasis on collaborative methodologies. James is also an advisor to the Ministerial Advisory Group on Architecture & Built Environment (NI) and a guest tutor and PhD researcher at Queens University Belfast, where is exploring the relationship between streets and street names.