Trees, Science and Opinion
3rd November 2023
A Review of the ‘Getting to Know Conifers’ Course by the Field Studies Council Arboriculturists Lucy, Sophie and Joe at AWA Tree Consultants recently had the opportunity to attend a weekend residential course called ‘Getting to Know Conifers’ at the Preston Montford Field Studies Council Centre. Under the expert guidance of Mark Duffell of Arvensis Ecology, this botanical tree course was thoroughly enjoyable and a brilliant learning experience. The course is aimed at people who would like to improve their […]
24th October 2023
Last month, the tree survey team at AWA Tree Consultants embarked on a journey of discovery into the fascinating Kingdom of fungi! Through attending the ‘Learning Fungi Identification Skills’ workshop at Whisby Nature Park in Lincoln and the ‘Practical Fungi Field Skills’ course at Haddon Hall, Derbyshire (both organised by the Field Studies Council), our team broadened their knowledge and appreciation of the often-misunderstood fungi kingdom. Arborists and tree consultants have tended to focus on the wood decay fungi that […]
24th August 2023
The phrase “carrot and stick” is a metaphor for the use of a combination of reward and punishment to induce a desired behaviour or outcome. In terms of arboriculture and urban forestry, the desired behaviour or outcome is to maximise the countless environmental and societal benefits urban trees provide. Street and park trees account for only small fraction of an urban forest. The public sector owns only 8% of England, with most land being owned by private individuals, companies and […]
14th August 2023
Bats and trees have an ancient relationship, with trees providing vital roosting and foraging habitats for these fascinating creatures. In the UK, bats are an important part of our biodiversity, and all bat species, their breeding sites and roosting habitats are fully protected under European law, to safeguard their populations. Bat surveys are generally undertaken by professional Ecologists, who hold the appropriate and up-to-date survey licence to carry out surveys for bats. Here, AWA Tree Consultants in-house bat fanatic – […]
11th June 2023
The concept of tree root protection areas (RPAs) has been a consideration in UK planning and development for over three decades. Yet there is still often confusion about root protection areas (RPAs) and planning permission. This post aims to get to the ‘root’ of the RPA in relation to new developments and planning permission. What is a root protection area (RPA)? In UK planning and development, the British Standard 5837:2012 “Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction. Recommendations” defines […]
5th January 2023
Climate change mitigation is just one of the many environmental benefits provided by trees and woods, but it is a key reason why trees are so vital in the fight against climate change. Here AWA Tree Consultant Lucy Garbutt details new research using laser scanning of woodlands to reveal potential significant underestimations of biomass carbon in our temperate forests: Trees and forests can help limit rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Trees capture and sequester carbon, ‘locking in’ […]
5th November 2022
The AWA tree survey team recently went along to the Ancient Tree Forum’s Autumn Field Trip, held on the Castle Howard Estate in North Yorkshire. The Ancient Tree Forum (ATF) is the only organisation in the country specialising in the conservation of ancient and veteran trees. This was the first in-person Ancient Tree Forum’s field trip since before the pandemic and as with most ATF events, tickets sold out faster than an Arctic Monkeys tour! The day was split into […]
16th October 2022
The unedifying events of the infamous Sheffield Tree Saga are now thankfully fading into history. Like many social events involving unrest and conflict, dramatic low points are often the catalyst for long term change for the better. This hope was very much in the air at the recent conference ‘Urban Trees in Sheffield’, which highlighted how far things have come since 2018. Showcasing new approaches and commitment to community involvement, in managing Sheffield’s street trees. It was a good-news event, […]
14th January 2022
Ash dieback disease is having a major impact to the UKs Ash trees, with losses of between 75% and 90% predicted. At AWA Tree Consultants we are having to adapt to this when undertaking tree surveys for planning in Yorkshire and the surrounding regions of Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. Ash dieback is impacting our tree surveys in two main ways. Firstly, in the extra focus on Ash when assessing the risk of harm to people or property, and secondly, in how […]
17th September 2021
Mark Johnston has worked as a tree contractor, tree consultant, tree officer and college professor. He has been a prominent figure within professional arboriculture for several decades, developing city-wide urban forest initiatives, influential policy, and urban forestry practice guides. Like many others in our profession, I was one of the thousands of students he taught over the years, being lucky enough to be one of the first students to undertake the Master of Science program in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, […]