Leading Arboricultural and Ecological Consultants

Treework Environmental Practice Conference XV
AVENUES, ALLEYWAYS AND BOULEVARDS (PART 1)

Management for the 21st century

In partnership with

24th June 2010

Jodrell Laboratory Lecture Theatre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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Tree-lined routes are human imprints on the landscape. Over the centuries, these corridors have become living architectural features. Today avenues have additional roles, including mitigating the effects of cars and offering protection from climate change. The modern challenge is how to continue their historic legacy and create new avenues in order to secure this essential green infrastructure for future generations.

This conference has urban and rural relevance, appealing to specialists and non-specialists with interests in landscape and the importance and care of trees. It will explore conservation, psychological and sociological perspectives, including the utilitarian, historic, biodiversity and aesthetic considerations that inform policy and practice.

Delegates are invited to contribute to the debate by bringing key concerns and suggestions for policy and management in challenging economic and climatic times.

Speakers:

• Neville Fay, Treework Environmental Practice
  Introduction and Welcome
• Tony Kirkham, Head of the Arboretum and Horticultural Services, Kew
  Avenues at Kew: celebrating the legacy, meeting the challenge
• Chantal Pradines, Expert of the Council of Europe
  Avenues in mainland Europe
• Ray Hawes, Head of Forestry, The National Trust
  A journey down some avenues: Around 800 National Trust avenues, each an individual
• Peter Thurman, Consultant, The Thurman Consultancy
  Avenues as landscape features: Interpreting their design and managing their future
• Vikki Bengtsson, Pro Natura, Sweden
  Avenues and natural features: Lifecycles, perpetuity and habitat continuity
• Brian Crane, Consultant, Brian G Crane and Associates
  Avenues as arboricultural features: Culture, definitions, patterns and management
• Peter Neal, Head of public space, strategy and design, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) Grey to Green: Shifting funding and skills to green our cities
• Clive Mayhew, Consultant, The Mayhew Consultancy
  Disappearing avenues: Living features in a changing landscape
• Eugene Dreyer, Urban Design Director, Terry Farrell and Partners
  Urban tree-lined corridors: Master planning protected routes for liveable cities
• Sue James, Convenor, Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG)
  The power of collaboration to influence policy: Coordinated solutions through professional cooperation
• Val Kirby, Natural England, Head of Landscape and Geodiversity
  Avenues, Infrastructure and Connectively: The wider contribution of trees to townscapes and liveability
  
• Martin Kelly, Chair, Trees and Design Action Group
  The art of the possible: An urban case study for street tree planting

In Association with:

Treework Environmental Practice Conference XV
Trees and Urban Climate Adaptation

A social agenda for liveable cities
In partnership with the Forestry Commission

19th November 2009

The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR

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This conference built on the success of the 2008 Trees: The Key to Climate Proofing Our Cities conference focusing on the University of Manchester’s research showing the influence of green infrastructure on the urban climate.

Available data underpin the case for ensuring there is no avoidable loss of large-canopy urban trees, providing for future large trees in urban design and planning, and bringing our parks into city streets. To effect necessary change, no change in legislation is necessary – but rather a co-ordination and re-direction of thinking and practice.

The conference’s aim was to mobilise policy makers and the wider community to ensure a sustainable urban forest canopy capable of meeting future climate adaptation needs. It was premised on the concept that the urban canopy agenda can be met by including climate adaptation within the national health and well-being agenda.

Speakers:

• Professor John Handley OBE, University of Manchester
  Conference Chair
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• Dr Susannah Gill, University of Manchester
  The essential role of trees: Adapting cities to climate change by managing high temperatures and reducing pressure on drainage systems
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• Dr Mark Johnston MBE, Myerscough College
  Trees in Towns II: Government recognition of urban forest needs
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• Martin Kelly, MD Capita Lovejoy / Trees and Design Action Group
  Big trees in the four-dimensional urban realm
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• Diane Smith, Town & Country Planning Association
  Planning for eco-towns: Water and green Infrastructure, A European perspective
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• Tony Hutchings, Forest Research
  The Forest Research Climate Change and Street Trees project
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• Dr Paula Vandergert, Commission for Architecture in the Built Environment (CABE)
  Sustainable cities: Creating tools for better green urban design
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• Pete Stringer, Red Rose Forest
  Green infrastructure: A vehicle for working with communities to tackle climate change
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• Katie Roberts , Trees for Cities
  Securing urban trees through community involvement: Planting street and community trees in disadvantaged urban locations
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• Isabel Dedring, Mayoral Advisor on the Environment
  The spatial framework for London and the importance of London’s urban canopy
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• Eugene Dreyer, Terry Farrell & Partners
  The Thames Gateway: The design vision and creating treed infrastructure
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• Tim Rollinson, Director General of the Forestry Commission
  Keynote Address
  
• Neville, Treework Environmental Practice
  Arboriculture’s role in trees and climate adaptation

Trees, Roots, Fungi, Soil (Part 2)

Towards a model of good soil practice for arboriculture

30th June 2009

Linnean Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BF

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There is much to be gained from an effective dialogue between ecology and arboriculture if we are to reach a meaningful understanding of health and pathogenicity in relation to soil and roots.

Understanding the soil rooting environment should be the first port of call for all practitioners involved in tree care. Arboriculture to date has been poorly served by 'science' with regard to the soil. While there is common use of expensive trunk decay investigation devices, there is no available conventional toolkit for looking at the soil as a matter of routine

Without a clear understanding of functioning soil ecology, there is no ecological basis for restoration, where tree stress implies problems with the soil. One consequence of this is a focus on pests and diseases, inputs and outputs and agrichemical solutions. This seminar explored these themes and the prospects for a meaningful dialogue between adherents to the inputs-outputs and eco-system models.

Speakers:

• Professor David Cutler, President of the Linnean Society
  Welcome and Introduction
• Dr Alan Rayner
  The Dynamic Relationship of Trees and Fungi: Symbiosis and pathology
• Dr Ken Thompson, University of Sheffield
  If Trees Could Speak, What Would They Be Trying to Tell Us? An ecologist wonders why trees fail
• Dr Vinodh Krishnamurthy, Laverstoke Park
  An Organic Diagnostic Model: Testing soils, understanding functioning, managing deficiencies
• Dr Lee Klinger, Independent Scientist and Consultant, California
  Forest Vegetation and Soil Succession: The natural process of change
• Dr Olaf Ribeiro, Ribeiro Tree Evaluations Inc, Seattle
  Notes from a Soil Laboratory: Soil analysis first, treatment of trees second (pathogenicity and remediation)
• Professor Clive Edwards, Ohio State University
  Understanding Earthworms: Indicators of soil quality and productivity and their use in bioremediation
• Dr Declan Barraclough, Environment Agency
  G. K. Chesterton and the Soil Problem: Is there a relation between soil properties and tree health?

This event was held for ecologists, foresters, arboriculturists, soil scientists, mycologists and all those with a broad interest in trees and soil ecology.

 

Sponsored by:

In Association with:

TREES, ROOTS, FUNGI, SOIL

Below-Ground Ecosystem & Implications for Tree Health

13th November 2008

In this one-day event we brought together UK and international speakers with knowledge of interactions between saprotrophs, tree-root pathogens and mycorrhizal fungi to improve our understanding of below-ground interactions between fungi and trees, and the conditions for health and pathogenicity to support practitioners in their endeavours to beneficially influence tree health.

This conference examined the implications of climate change, pollution, high nitrogen levels, soil conditions and new tree diseases. It explored what constitutes a healthy environment in which trees can grow and different ways of addressing adverse impacts on functioning root activity. It concentrated on research into soil amelioration and processes that lead to breakdown in functioning soil ecology influencing 'pathogenicity'. There was a strong focus on different experiments and experiences of soil ecology rejuvenation, including mineralization and whether these have universal relevance or are specific to certain ecosystems.

The Speakers:

SPEAKERS
Prof. Lynne Boddy (Cardiff University)
Lecture 1: Underground mycology: The relations between fungi, soil and tree

Prof. Richard Bardgett (Lancaster University)
Lecture 2: Insights into the belowground ecology of forest ecosystems

Dr Lee Klinger (Independent scientist, USA)
Lecture 6: A holistic approach to mitigating pathogenic effects on trees: Case studies including use of soil amendments

Prof. Alan Gange (Royal Holloway)
Lecture 3: Climate change impacts on Woodland Saprotrophs &  Mycorrhizas

Dr. Nick Haycock (Haycock Associates Ltd / University of Manchester)
Lecture 4: Ground compaction, nitrogen & phosphorus deposition: the effects upon soil & water quality

Prof. Jan Čermák (Brno University)
Lecture 5: Tree eco-physiology:  Investigations into tree water relations, structure & growth

Trees: The Key to Climate Proofing Our Cities

The Royal Geographical Society, Kensington, London

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Temperatures in UK cities are predicted to rise by 3-7°C by the end of the century. Research indicates that a 10% increase in urban tree cover would completely neutralise this impact. According to the Trees in Towns II study, trees are being lost at an alarming rate and urban deforestation is offering a hot future for city life.

With better co-ordination and within existing government guidance and management mechanisms it is possible to achieve the level of canopy cover that will make the difference. This requires a strategy that, wherever possible, all large trees are conserved and planning and design ensure that we grow trees successfully to become big trees with big canopies.

This pioneering conference brought together a wide range of speakers to explore practical possibilities to reverse tree loss within the current planning framework. Our aim is to drive an initiative to achieve the required canopy increase. This can be done but only through the widest possible involvement between all relevant stakeholders, professions, government organisations, citizens groups, etc.

DOWNLOADABLE PRESENTATIONS

CONFERENCE ORGANISERS underlying philosophy

Developing a culture that increases tree canopy through inter-professional cooperation

Neville Fay (Treework Environmental Practice)
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Jeremy Barrell (Barrell Tree Consultancy)
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Prof. Chris Baines (Broadcaster, Government Adviser on Environmental Matters)
Amenity, survival & common sense: The importance of large trees in the urban and rural landscape - if it’s all so obvious, why no change?
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Dr. Roland Ennos (Manchester, Faculty of Life Sciences)
Trees and human security: The research basis for the claim that trees can climate proof our cities
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James Urban (James Urban & Associates and DeepRoot, USA)
Soil management innovation, planting & establishment: A view of structural tree soil, planting design innovation
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Richard Simmons (CABE CEO)
Trees in Towns II: The significance of this report for urban environmental quality
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Martin Kelly (MD Capita Lovejoy)
Trees & Design Action Group: A multi-disciplinary model for promoting large structural trees in the urban landscape
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Prof. Jan Cermak (Brno University)
Trees and water relations: Whole tree modelling – The role of trees in the urban environment. Climate and hydrological control
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Keith Sacre (Barcham Trees)
The nursery perspective:From research to producing what is reliably needed for the future
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Prof. Helga Fassbinder (Urban Planning & Management, Netherlands)
Paris and Amsterdam: Flagship examples of urban green initiatives in Europe

Peter Thurman (The Thurman Consultancy)
The landscape architect, architect and planner - designing with trees: Why the current framework is failing to deliver in many cases.
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John Young (Engineer)
Extending the SUDS model to trees, hydrology and drainage:  An engineering perspective on the role of design and planning
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Richard Nicholson (Arboricultural Consultant)
Being strategic within the planning framework:  Small changes in emphasis, big changes in practice
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Prof. David Ball (Middlesex University, DARM)
Tree-related risks – a perspective from the Stern Report:  Comparing risks from trees to people with risks to people from removing trees
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Jim Smith (London Trees and Woodlands Framework Officer)
London Urban Initiatives:  A model approach to sustainable urban forestry services
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Integrated European Tree Assessment for Highway & Amenity Tree Inspection

Tree Statics & Fungal Decay Non-invasive Tree Hazard Inspection & Risk Decision Making

Venue: Coombe Lodge, Blagdon Nr Bristol BS40 7RG
15th & 16th November 2007

Individual tree inspections and highway tree surveying decision making can be a complex procedure. This seminar introduces European tree stability assessment methods to improve reliable assessment. The papers & practical guidance will introduce methods for interpreting decay patterns, including the steady state balance (between fungal decay and adaptive growth) for determining structural integrity in trees.

The Speakers:

Erk Brudi, Brudi & Partners, TreeConsult, Member sag Baumstatik, Germany
Michael Schlag, Reinartz & Schlag; also Institute for Treediagnostics, Member sag Baumstatik, Germany
Paul Muir, Senior Arboricultural Consultant, Treework Environmental Practice

The Future of Tree Risk Management Part II: What is Reasonable?

Working towards an industry-led framework for tree risk decision making

Venue: University of West of England, St Matthias Campus, Bristol
12th July 2007

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Building on the success of last year's introduction, this seminar explored arboricultural policy, case law and risk management to support professional confidence in risk decision making.

Working with key thinkers in risk management from DARM (Middlesex University), University College London and others, Treework Environmental Practice seeks to build a strong framework to inform the arboricultural industry. Treework Environmental Practice's approach is that our industry cannot resolve defendable risk management questions without significant contributions from both risk decision making and legal specialists

The Speakers:

Prof David Ball, Centre for Decision Analysis & Risk Management (DARM)
John Watt, (DARM) Centre for Decision Analysis & Risk Management, Middlesex University
Prof. John Adams, University College London
Prof. Chris Baines, Head of Safety Section, Health & Safety Executive
Alan Plom, University College London
Richard Stead, Barrister, St. John's Chambers, Bristol
Neville Fay, Principal Arboricultural Consultant, Treeworks Environmental Practice

Tree Morphology

Principles of growth, form & function; diagnostics & management

Venue: The University of the West of England, Bristol
15th June 2007

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A one-day Treework Environmental Practice seminar, in partnership with the Arboricultural Association

In 2006, Treework Environmental Practice launched its Tree Morphology theme with an inspiring, in-depth two-day seminar. Then in 2007 Treework Environmental Practice provided a unique opportunity to experience two exceptional scientists in this field. Their understanding and interpretation of patterns of tree growth has the capacity to profoundly influence our views and change and enrich arboricultural management practice.

The Speakers:

Professor Francis Hallé, Professeur, Institut de Botanique, Université de Montpellier, France
Reiteration mechanisms, Physiology & Capacity for Genetic Change

Pierre Raimbault, ENGREF - Arboretum National des Barres, Nogent sur Vernisson, France
The Fundamentals of Tree growth & development architecture

Neville Fay, Treework Environmental Practice Principal Consultant & Practice Manager
From Renaissance Arboriculture to present day morphology

The Future of Tree Risk Management

Exploring the Context and Principles for Non-defensive Risk Management

Venue: Woburn House Conference Centre, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HQ
15th September 2006

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A one-day Treework Environmental Practice seminar, in partnership with the Arboricultural Association & DARM (The Centre for Decision Analysis & Risk Management, Middlesex University).

• Risk management trends from a multi-sectorial perspective
• Lessons learnt from other sectors in society for arboricultural risk evaluation
• Exploration of principles to establish a rational framework for non-defensive risk management in arboriculture

 

The Speakers:

Professor John Adams, Professor of Geography, University College London
Regaining a sense of proportion in a risk-averse world

Professor David J Ball, Professor of Risk Management, Co-Director Centre for Decision Analysis & Risk Management, School of Health & Social Sciences, Middlesex University, Queensway, Enfield
The study of risk & its evolution as a discipline & how understanding of this background can help to inform new approaches to risk management of potential relevance to arboriculture

Dr David Lonsdale, Consultant on Tree Health & Structural Integrity, Expert Witness in Tree Failure Cases
Current issues in arboricultural risk assessment & management:

John Watt, Senior Lecturer in Risk Management; Co-ordinator Centre for Decision Analysis & Risk Management, School of Health and Social Sciences
Risk in the context of cultural heritage: A case study

Neville Fay, Treework Environmental Practice Principal Consultant & Practice Manager
The quest for an authoritative, non-defensive approach to managing trees

Mike Ellison, Principal arboricultural consultant, Cheshire Woodlands Arboricultural Consultancy
From the Defect Led Approach to Rational Risk Management - A Paradigm Shift for Tree Managers

Nick Eden, Director of the Arboricultural Association
Towards a National Standard for Tree Risk Inspection

Tree Morphology

Principles & application of tree morphology for diagnostics & management

Venue: Ashton Court, Bristol
23rd & 24th March 2006

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This two-day seminar is an in-depth exploration of tree morphology intended to introduce and develop understanding in an arboricultural specialism mainly developed and used on the Continent. Tree morphology seeks to identify and apply architectural rules inherently coded in the tree.

One of the implications of this view is that the physiological and environmental history of the tree is somehow recorded in its form, if this could be properly ‘read’ and interpreted. While it is an increasingly sophisticated discipline in modern arboriculture, it builds on some of some very early arboricultural observations that can be found in Leonardo da Vinci’s notes on tree architecture and later in Wolfgang Goethe's observations of form and function in plants.

 

The Speakers:

Pierre Raimbault, Professeur, Institut National de Recherches Agronomiques d'Angers, France
Use of tree architecture as a basis for tree assessment: the principles and main applications:
Pierre Raimbault, one of the main proponents of tree morphology, has presented a model which views the tree in terms of standard morphological developmental stages, that if correctly observed, may be used to diagnose perturbations in physiology. The model is used to understand the ageing process, physiological stress and as a diagnostic technique to determine tree management options.

Dr Milena Martenkov, Dep. Tree Eco Physiology, Mendels University, Czech Republic
Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding branch & root architecture:
Dr Milena Martenkova contributes to experimental investigation in multi-disciplinary approaches. Her work focuses on branch architecture and root morphology through the investigation of branch and root architecture

Dr David Lonsdale, UK
Tree morphology & implications for tree assessment & management:
Dr David Lonsdale will investigate how tree morphology has become internalised in tree assessment & inspection methodologies; how this draws on understandings of twig architecture and is used to recognise a tree’s “life stage” or condition of impaired vitality. He will examine decay as a morphological process in ancient trees and trends in arboriculture that focus on a morphological approach to recognition of bio-mechanical features to establish notions of ‘defects’ employing visual comparison with a perceived species ‘norm’. He will also explore how morphological factors may be taken into account when assessing tree condition, including intra-specific differences & effects of soils & climate.

Wind Load Simulation in Trees

(Management for Extreme Climatic Events)

Venue: Ashton Court Mansion, Bristol
5th & 6th December 2005:

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This is a master class in the theory and practice of tree statics. It is our intention that through better understanding of the science and technology in this field, a more informed debate will take place within arboricultural circles for the benefit of good tree management practice. Delegates will have the opportunity for hands-on experience of the techniques and will be taken through the theoretical principles underlying the methodology.

The Speakers:

Dr. Jaroslav Kolarík, Arboricultural Consultant, Safe Trees Ltd. Czech Republic
Static Integrated Assessment (SIA) & Wind Load-Simulation (Pulling) Test

Prof. Dr. Petr Horácek, Head of Wood Science Department, Mendel's University Brno, Czech Republic
Material properties of wood:

Life Within & Beneath the Tree

(Management for Extreme Climatic Events)

Venue: Keele University Conference Park
17th 18th November 2005:

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Exploring the interactions between roots, soil and microorganisms that are part of the co-evolutionary processes influencing tree physiology and health. This will look at mycorrhizae, wood decomposers, soil structure/condition, bacteria and nematodes as a basis for indicators of tree condition, pathology and remediation (before interfering with the above-ground tree).

The Speakers:

Dr David Lonsdale, Dr Alan Rayner; Dr Olaf Ribeiro (USA), James Merryweather.

Tree Micro-Ecology: Perceptions of Disease & Decay in Trees

Interpreting the Significance of Factors Affecting Tree Structure & Health

Venue: (Southern Venue) 23 & 24 May 2005: Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, Greater London
(Northern Venue) 26 & 27 May 2005: Fountains Abbey, Ripon, N. Yorkshire.

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Dr Giorgio Catena Slides

There is an inventive trend in arboriculture to provide the practitioner with evidence-based information for diagnosis and decision-making. This seminar explored relationships between the tree and colonising micro-organisms, factors influencing health & decline, and techniques available to predict and remediate changes in condition.

With the increasing sophistication of techniques for the internal mapping of decay in trunks, including recent developments in the use of magnetic resonance and thermal imaging, it is important to examine the strengths and limitations of the devices concerned. This seminar explored these issues and the necessity for improving tree failure data at a national level, drawing from US experience.

The Speakers:

Neville Fay, Consultant, Treework Environmental Practice, UK
The background to seminar series & implications of issues being presented for arboriculture.

Dr Olaf Ribeiro, Arboricultural & Plant Disease Consultant, USA
Pathogenicity and co-existence in trees: Factors involved in pathogenesis by soil micro-organisms; exploring the processes and the terminology so as to inform remediation technology. Adverse effects of soil micro-flora on tree health & condition. Methods for diagnosis & control, including analytical techniques for establishing pathogen thresholds, microbial functional levels and fine-root status. Soil remediation techniques.

Dr David Lonsdale, UK
National tree condition surveys: their benefits & limitations: Drawing on the experience of the Condition Survey of Non-Woodland Trees in England and of collating observational evidence on modes of mechanical failure. Possibilities for developing a UK Tree Failure Database so as to optimize recording of failure events; deciding the type of data to be recorded.

Ed Hayes, BS, USA
Innovations in decay detection devices: Potential advantages & limitations: The assessment of failure-potential using decay detection devices in the context of tree-failure data, biomechanics and wind loading. Sudden limb drop: developing a model for exploration and documentation of the phenomenon based on the US experience. A tree failure database: the importance of collating data for improving understanding of tree risk.

Dr Giorgio Catena, Italy
Thermal imaging: a non-destructive technique to determine decay extent & significance in trees: The necessity for correct interpretation for tree hazard assessment; Developing & applying the technique for assessing habitat value of decay in veteran & ancient trees.

Tree Statics and Dynamics

Interpreting the Significance of Factors Affecting Tree Structure & Health

Venue: 21 & 22 July 2003: The National Arboretum, Westonbirt

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Tree Statics and Tree Dynamics A Two Day Seminar New approaches: an international perspective on the assessment and management of tree risk. The National Arboretum, Westornbirt, Gloucestershire. 21st and 22nd July, 2003.

The seminar was arranged to open discussion and stimulate debate about practices that are currently used in mainland Europe. Through such seminars Treework Environmental Practice seeks to contribute to an improved professional understanding of the issues relating to tree stability and risk management. It is hoped that arboriculture in the UK will continue to be open-minded in its exploration of scientific developments and new techniques to inform an optimum approach to managing trees for safety, amenity and biodiversity. Neville Fay.

The following articles and presentations are available for consultation:
Tree Pulling comes to the UK, An article by Neville Fay & Geoffrey March summarising the seminar in the Arboricultural Association Newsletter, Issue 122, September 2003.

Speakers' Papers & Presentations:

Overview of techniques and procedures for assessing the probability of tree failure, David Lonsdale, UK

The application of the static integrated approach for arboricultural practice, Jarek Kolarik, Czech Rebublic

Tree Dynamics: The science and its application to arboriculture, Ken James, University of Melbourne, Australia. Paper & Presentation

Introduction to Tree Statics & Static Assessment, Petr Horácek, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Czech Republic. Presentation.

The Seminar was a one-day event and covered the following areas: Liability for Trees Managing Tree Risk Survey Methodology Balancing Priorities for Hazard & Habitat Exploring methods used in the UK & mainland Europe