Trees

A Technician Member of the Arboricultural Association I have been working with trees in both the private and public sector for over 20 years.   With a particular interest in trees in the rural to urban environment in the UK I have been writing tree reports for private tree owners, developers, local authorities and the Highways Agency.   Past clients include schools in Kent where safety is of course a prime concern.

Rural environments are under particular pressure from developers and where trees can be integrated into the new built environment I have ensured that major trees with high amenity value are protected by Tree Preservation orders [TPOs] and lesser ornamental trees [but equally important due to their aesthetic  value] are also managed.  I have strived to accommodate the loss of ‘good’ trees where development makes preservation impossible by making statutory conditions that make re-planting mandatory.

With a weather eye to climate change and the new invasive pathologies that it brings I am championing the planting of trees that will thrive in a warmer world.  I also promote good planting practise with trees – an area in need improving specification at the start and better practise on and in the ground.

I also have a wider interest in tropical trees – especially hardwoods – and their cultivation. Preservation of existing rain-forests is of course important but more important is the right sort of re-planting and management in cleared forests. Mixed and integrated planting [with companion crops such as cocoa and coffee] is the key to the future of tropical silviculture.