Utrechtse Reuzen

In this book, the largest living beings in the city of Utrecht are given a face through the photographs taken by Luuk Huiskes. These trees are organisms that grow, flourish, and eventually die, and they form an essential—albeit often unconsciously perceived—part of the cityscape.

The images in the book are artistic and emotional in nature, rather than scientific. They are complemented by drawings and paintings from the Utrecht Archives that reveal the historical significance of these trees. In particular, the old trees in the city centre, along the canals and moats, are deeply woven into everyday life—until interventions such as felling or redevelopment suddenly bring them to the fore.

The history of Utrecht’s greenery dates back to 1827, when landscape architect Johan David Zocher began designing the Singelplantsoen. This project led to the planting of many trees that gave the city a green and culturally historic character. Over 150 years later, many of these now towering trees still remain—standing as the largest and most impressive beings in the city. They form a magical and unmistakable presence that continues to shape the city’s identity.