View of the Machine in Motion, and of a Tree During the Transportation in Sir Henry Steuart, The Planter’s Guide: A Practical Essay on the Best Method of Giving Immediate Effect to Wood, by the Removal of Large Trees and Underwood,…Chiefly Intended for the Climate of Scotland

By the early 18th century, agricultural clearance, overgrazing and tree felling over many centuries had left Scotland all but barren of trees and woodland. In response, well-meaning landowners began to plant up great swathes of their estates. This would transform the landscape of rural Scotland. Mixing native and exotic species, for ornamental as well as financial reasons, they also experimented with technologies, such as the transplanting machine illustrated here.