Tree Academy Online

There's a huge problem with the way we’re managing trees through the planning process. 20 years ago we could be excused for not knowing much, or doing much about damage to trees and the erosion of irreplaceable features. Today we have NO excuse. We’re facing a nationwide crisis that is damaging our tree population. Generic judgements and flawed decision-making are driving arboriculture into a professional abyss…on the verge of losing its legitimacy.

A root & branch solution

Since April 2022 we’ve been building the TREE ACADEMY ONLINE, which is primarily a platform for training, mentoring and engagement for working tree professionals. TAO is a dedicated community of Environment & Natural Infrastructure professionals and industry experts. Together, we're pioneering a new, holistic approach to professional training, mentoring and learning.

Trees, Planning & Development

The site will launch with its initial training program covering ARBORICULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT. The work is based on current thinking, research, experience, and scientific evidence. Its aim is to show how critical thinking and professional standards can be integrated throughout the planning & development process using Effective Arboricultural Impact Assessment. Alongside the AIA training there are freely available guidance publications and other useful resources.

The TREE ACADEMY ONLINE will offer professional mentoring and a community space for skills development. TAO will be driven by experienced real-world professionals and we plan to develop tree-related training to cover other related disciplines such as; Landscape, Ecology, Architecture, Engineering etc.

The site is planned to go live at the end of the year (Dec 22).

Arboricultural Impact Assessment System

AIA system - Guidance & Training

With a significant amount of research and testing behind it, the launch of new impact assessment training and guidance is here. The new AIA system embraces current thinking, raises our professional status and safeguards users by providing a framework and structure that allows informed, robust decision-making.

The AIA system has been developed to provide Tree Officers & Consultants with a level playing field. The system is transparent, repeatable and based on valid research.

The system is designed to inform decisions, not to override expert opinion.

The AIA system training is currently being delivered in-house to private organisations and will be offered to the wider arboricultural community in the near future.

Guidance Notes for Tree Officers & LPAs

The research findings have identified consistent flaws in the arboricultural information submitted with planning applications. Alongside the new AIA training there are several freely available guidance publications currently being prepared for distribution to LPAs. The guidance includes:

• Key issues & common failings

• Checking submitted information for compliance with BS5837

• Review of technical details

• Useful research & references by key issue

The guidance enables quick document review by simple checks and provides key details and reference points for efficient assessment and robust critique of submitted tree information.

The Resilience of Arboriculture

Tree Surveys - BS5837

There is a systemic, widespread fixation with providing baseline survey information solely on the measuring and categorisation of trees as outlined in BS5837. Worryingly this is more and more frequently done without adequate understanding and by arborists of limited experience. The profession is on a race to the bottom.

The average tree survey I come across is very rarely in accordance with BS5837. There are a number of common failings from incorrect data gathering to inappropriate allocation of quality category. It’s not about measuring trees as quickly as possible and applying generic rules of thumb to report key issues. For example…. here’s a quick discussion about one key concept that is consistently misunderstood.

Root Protection Area [RPA]

“RPA: the minimum area around a tree deemed to contain sufficient roots and rooting volume to maintain the tree’s viability…”

By definition this means that the RPA needs to provide a tree with enough soil to live, grow and develop. Logically, a minimum RPA cannot achieve this as it typically represents less than half of the actual rooting area - and working to a minimum RPA can only inhibit the future growth potential of retained trees.

Anchoring to the minimum RPA impacts mature trees the most. Young, healthy trees showing good vigour will no doubt recover from significant root loss - stressed or older trees are much more vulnerable. And in any case, to have any real understanding of where the RPA should be requires some knowledge of the particular soil on site. Please… DIG A HOLE.

There is a need to address the shortcomings of consulting arbs and raise professional standards. Inappropriate RPA information is but one argument from ignorance pervading its merry way through the planning system. The role of the arboriculturist is a challenging one - it takes knowledge, skills and experience. The current framework is failing and currently there is a lack of training, support and mentoring. In part this can be addressed with now ready-to-launch new training…

Arboricultural Impact Assessment [AIA] System & Training

More AIA system details to be released in the near future….

Plant BIG trees

If we really want big trees in our built environment it’s time to start looking for creative new ideas. I can’t help but notice the opportunities with Roundabouts!

I’ve been playing around with a few tree-planting ideas...and I think a campaign is called for. Trees are hot property what with climate change and current trends for canopy cover. And although policy is slowly changing for the benefit of trees - we need to be careful that it isn’t just lip service when it comes to new planting.

Roundabout - the perfect planting space?

Dig A Hole!

Not going underground - the root of the problem

Trees haven’t read the guidance about where they should grow roots. The science tells us that roots are typically shallow and can spread radially much further than tree height. But root growth is opportunistic, developing in response to specific site factors and ground conditions.

Two similar aged beech trees with root growth adapted to site ground conditions.

The same tree will root differently depending on its particular environment. And forget about applying rules-of-thumb to urban trees. Few arboriculturists fully consider the below-ground landscape when assessing trees in relation to development. Favouring a much more simplistic baseline - based on minimum soil volume requirements. How soil ‘volume’ can be evaluated by measuring a tree stem and plotting a radial ‘area’ defies logic.

Dig a Hole!

I try and dig a hole or two whenever I’m surveying - I’ve never been disappointed, or felt less informed about the soil and ground conditions.

Trees, Planning & Development - BS5837

Effective Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)

Over the last 5 years I’ve been researching, developing and testing a new system of AIA. I have previously presented and published on the topic and (having now finished a large research project) I’ve identified some of our collective shortcomings, and developed a system to help iron out some the issues identified.

Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil can be accessed here… AIA.Winter.2018

I’ve now written a follow-up article for the next Arboricultural Association ARB Magazine. The article is about trees, planning & development. And our effectiveness as professionals. It outlines part of a new structured AIA assessment methodology and decision-making framework for evaluating the impacts (and opportunities) of developing near trees.

The Roots of Arboricultural Impact Assessment can be accessed here… AIA.Summer.2021