Tree officers know the pressure well: rising public expectations, tightening budgets, and the constant tension between development and retention. Balancing development, public safety, environmental targets, and community expectations while managing one of the most valuable and underestimated public assets – trees. Good urban forestry starts with a robust policy and strategy that considers the two sides of urban forest management; Planning and Treestock management.
I help local authorities strengthen their approach to urban trees by providing clear, evidence‑based advice that integrates seamlessly with planning, environmental strategy, and day‑to‑day operations. You can read more below but please get in touch through the enquiry page for a more specific conversation.
Policy and Strategy
Strong policy and strategy is the foundation of effective urban forest management. Without it, decisions become reactive, inconsistent, and vulnerable to change. In order to work towards a healthy urban forest, policy and strategy needs to have long term aims with short term targets and an assessment cycle.
I support authorities by:
1. Developing tree policies, strategies and targets aligning with national guidance and other council strategies
2. Providing insight through inventory analysis, eco-reports and canopy coverage analysis
My approach ensures your policies are not only ambitious but also realistic, defensible, and deliverable.
Planning
Trees and development often sit in tension, and planning teams need expert guidance to navigate that space confidently. With trees gaining an increasing awareness and importance, getting planning decision right about when it comes to trees is becoming more scrutinised.
I can assist with:
1. Tree related planning consultations and tree works application assessment
2. TPO review and administration
3. Writing of planning related policy writing
The result is better outcomes for both development and the urban forest, with decisions grounded in sound arboricultural reasoning.
Treestock Management
Healthy, well‑managed treestock underpins safe, attractive, and climate‑resilient places. Local authorities need systems that are efficient, risk‑aware, and future‑focused. I have experience of managing the tree stock from surveying to prioritisation of area and works, right through to contract management and specialist tree works such as veteran management, PICUS testing, geo-injection and amenity forestry.
My goal is to help you build a treescape that is sustainable, diverse, and resilient—supported by processes that stand up to scrutiny and balancing amenity contributions with risk management. By implementing a treestock management programme that considers all of these elements, the urban forest can thrive and provide ecosystem services to its full potential.