Jim grew up in treeless and bomb-damaged Fulham, the only greenery, weeds in the pavement cracks. Aged seven, the family moved to Roehampton with space for the young Jim to dig holes in the back garden and where his school enchouraged his growing interest in gardening. More interested in plants than studying, Jim left school with no O-levels and joined the city Parks department, where an army of staff looked after 17 city parks. Jim worked his way up the ladder, moving round the country and gaining his Parks and Horticultural Certificates. Jim working in a variety of locations, includieng Cambridge Uniersity and as head gardener at Oxford Brookes University, developed the gardens at Headington Hill Hall. He retired to Filwood in Filwood, becoming the first and longest-standing Tree Champion in Bristol Tree Forum.