Arboriculture

tree consultancy, surveying & management

I have 40 years of experience as an ISA certified arborist and consult on trees in the Southern UK. Based in Chichester, West Sussex, I cover Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent and London. I also consult in the Middle East, GCC region, which is covered on a separate website. I consult for private clients with trees in gardens, to architects and developers. I have a special interest in the ecological role of trees, of climate related stress and management of veteran and ancient trees.

Understanding what a tree needs, its condition, vigour, flaws and weaknesses is essential to making the right decisions when assessing health. I view a tree not just as a physical entity, but as a holobiont - the centre point of a microbiome, upon which many forms of life depend. Gone are the days when decay or fungi are automatically assumed bad, as they are a natural part of a tree's cycle and essential part of the ecosystem. Of course, human safety is always paramount where we live in close connection.

Tree Consultancy

advice and plans for private and commercial tree care

Site Consultancy

I visit and assess trees on a consultancy basis, producing reports, care plans or surveys as required.

I work for both private clients, with a single tree, estates or commercial developments with multiple trees and especially with mature, veteran and ancient trees.

I have a special interest in the environmental health and ecosystesms that connect trees to our wider environment, as well as climate stress mitigation and adaption.

This is a phoenix oak tree - one that has fallen but continued to live and grow. It is also a veteran tree

This beech trunk was retained as a monolith on my advice as it features a dendrothelm - a water-filled cavity

Surveying of Trees

in urban & leisure development sites

Surveys to BS 5837 and reports

I survey and assess trees, conforming to British Standards and tailored to suit the project.

Sureveys are essential where any changes to the site are proposed, such as development, and to monitor the long-term health of trees, which will outlive us. Care of rootzones is just as important as the above-ground parts, so Root Protection Areas are always included.

Survey using GIS pinned onto OSM Map provides location, canopy size and Root Protection Area.

Surveying trees to the grounds of a private palace, Abu Dhabi.

Services Offered

relating to tree health, planning and maintenance

Tree assessment and surveying
Drought stress assessment and management
Care plans for tree management
Assessment/enhancement of tree ecosystem health
Soil health/rootzone assessment
Management of trees on development sites
Veteran and ancient tree care
Climate stress adaption and planning

Trees as Ecosystems

trees as the basis of our ecosystems

The Tree Holobiont

A holobiont is the tree's evironment and associated communities of organisms, plus all their interactions.

Many of the things we have traditionally seen as a pest or disease are now recognised for what they are - ecological assets. This is why understanding a tree this way is so important and why the thinking of a tree in isolation, or as mere an amenity asset is insufficient.

Modern arboriculture recognises that 'defects' can be ecosystem assets, given assessment for risk and benefit. Ghaf tree, Abu Dhabi

Decay is a natural part of a tree's life-cycle, not a defect to correct. It must be managed though, in proximity to people.

The Tree Health Check

Trees are under increasing environmental pressure from human habitation and climate-induced stress.

We need the ecosystem services, health benefits, shade, ecology and beauty that trees give us. Look after yours - give them a health check!

I would be very happy to discuss your trees by phone, email or Zoom/Teams.

Contact details are on the Home page.

mark laurence design ltd | ecological treescapes