Is the urban tree even part of nature? Nature as it is intended? Asking that question is to enter a philosophical minefield.

Everyone agrees a tree is part of nature. But is a lane also nature? Ecologists like to distinguish between nature at an elemental and a systemic level, the latter being characterised by its self-organising capacity and the spontaneous settling of species. At elemental level, urban greenery is part of nature, at systemic level it clearly isn’t. Besides, if you also view mankind and the results of its actions as part of nature then the whole distinction between nature and culture becomes irrelevant.

When former Secretary of State Bleker referred to a potato field as nature, columnist Bas Heijne snorted “well, then we might as well start calling asphalt nature too”. Suurmond’s photographs allow the viewer to roam the middle ground.

Is the urban tree even part of nature? Nature as it is intended? Asking that question is to enter a philosophical minefield.

Everyone agrees a tree is part of nature. But is a lane also nature? Ecologists like to distinguish between nature at an elemental and a systemic level, the latter being characterised by its self-organising capacity and the spontaneous settling of species. At elemental level, urban greenery is part of nature, at systemic level it clearly isn’t. Besides, if you also view mankind and the results of its actions as part of nature then the whole distinction between nature and culture becomes irrelevant.

When former Secretary of State Bleker referred to a potato field as nature, columnist Bas Heijne snorted “well, then we might as well start calling asphalt nature too”. Suurmond’s photographs allow the viewer to roam the middle ground.