The Treaty of Finsbury Park

We are the London plane trees. We work with the atmosphere.

When coal-fired industries made air too thick to breathe or see through we were claimed as London’s own trees and our power to slough off sooty bark became a symbol of renewal.

While songbirds dwell in oaks, alders, and ashes, preferring their berry stashes, you will hear the squeaks and squawks of grey squirrels and parakeets (fellow non-natives) eating my seeds and taking shelter in my branches.

Rooting down for water, our heads are full of whispers as our limbs tap the sky for sunlight.

In the Interspecies Cultural Assembly we reprepresent all trees and shrubs of Finsbury Park.