Andrew Lear is a professional horticulturist and arborist, with a lifetime career in gardens, landscaping and nurseries behind him. Latterly, he has specialised in the production of fruit trees in his own nursery, as well as running courses and workshops for community groups across Scotland.

Margaret Lear has always worked in education or horticulture, frequently combining the two. She has run her own nursery and, until recently, worked in partnership with Andrew especially on the educational side of the business. She is a writer, forager, organic gardener and environmental campaigner.