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In this bonus episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon discusses the revision of the British standard for trees and construction, BS 5837. She interviews Howard Booth, the chair of the committee proposing the changes, to discuss the main updates. The changes include new process flow charts, a new categorization method, adjustments to root protection areas, and the inclusion of canopy cover assessments. The goal of these changes is to ensure better tree care and development practices. The episode provides valuable insights into the proposed revisions and their implications. The conversation explores various parameters and considerations for tree growth, including species, form, site conditions, and pruning requirements. The British standard for tree retention and the importance of tree surveys conducted by arboriculturalists are discussed. The conversation also touches on the proposed changes in the British standard for tree surveys (BS 5837) and the inclusion of canopy cover assessments. The revision introduces new plans, such as the Arboricultural Impact Plan and the Constraints and Opportunities Plan. The categorization of trees is expanded to include a new category for veteran trees (Category V). Root protection areas for veteran trees are set to increase, and dead trees will also have a level of protection. The consultation process for the revision is highlighted, encouraging listeners to participate and provide feedback.

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The conversation explores the complexities and challenges of implementing biodiversity net gain (BNG) in the UK. The discussion covers topics such as tree replacement, the definition of veteran trees, the role of arboriculturalists in BNG assessments, the emphasis on planting native trees, the mitigation of tree group losses, and the need for additional protection for habitats like peat soils. The conversation also touches on the importance of monitoring and compliance in ensuring the success of BNG projects.

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Dr. Mark Johnston, MBE, shares his life story and his journey in the field of urban forestry. From his childhood in London to his adventures as a tree surgeon and his work as a tree officer, he has witnessed the evolution of urban forestry. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the equal distribution of trees in urban areas. After working at Kew Gardens and teaching at Askham Bryan College, he eventually became the head of arboriculture at Merrist Wood College. In this conversation, Mark Johnston discusses his career in arboriculture and urban forestry. He shares his experiences working on various projects, including the Forest of London and the Community Forests Initiative. Mark also talks about the importance of higher education in arboriculture and the challenges he faced in promoting it. He emphasizes the need for a broader palette of tree species in urban areas and criticizes the focus on native species. Mark also discusses his involvement in organizing the Trees, People, and the Built Environment conferences and his passion for teaching and inspiring others in the field. His new book, 'Planting Ideas In The Urban Forest' is available here from his official website.

More books by Mark include:-
Trees in Towns II

Trees, People and the Built Environment (2011)

Trees, People and the Built Environment II (2014)

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Kimberley gets to talk to both Sharon & Noel this time, about LIDAR and apples, but not at the same time!
Kimberly Howard, a senior Arboricultural Consultant, discusses the use of new technology in arboriculture, specifically the use of LIDAR scanning to assess tree roots. She shares her experience working on a project to redevelop Grosvenor Square Gardens in London, where two mature London plane trees needed to be protected during construction. The use of LIDAR scanning allowed the project team to accurately locate and assess the size and distribution of the tree roots, ensuring that the foundations of the new buildings would not harm the trees. The information gathered from the LIDAR scanning was shared with the architects and engineers to inform the design of the building foundations and drainage systems. The project aims to create a world-class urban garden in Mayfair, London.

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In this exclusive interview Sharon is interviewed by her friend Luke Fay. They discuss how Sharon got into podcasting, her preparation process, and the challenges of remote interviews. They also talk about Sharon's use of social media, her superpower of idea generation, and her journey to becoming a tree expert and starting her own practice. In this conversation, Sharon discusses the need for the development industry to evolve with a focus on community and the environment. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to the purpose of creating something better and not getting caught up in processes. Sharon also highlights the need for better communication and understanding between different professions in the industry. She shares her experiences of dealing with crises and the importance of seeking help and support. Sharon reflects on the joys and frustrations of working in a business partnership with her husband. Lastly, she expresses her gratitude for the community she has fostered in the arboriculture profession and the privilege of helping others.

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Chris Baines is one of the UK’s leading independent environmentalists. He trained as a horticulturalist at Wye College, Kent and then as a landscape architect in Birmingham. He is an award-winning writer and broadcaster, presented what is considered to be the first environmental series for children on UK TV in the early 1980s and was one of the original presenters of BBC Countryfile. His 2019 film documentary The Living Thames , made for the Thames Estuary Partnership, won the UK Charity Film Awards and has now won prizes at film festivals across 4 continents. His best-selling book How to Make a Wildlife Garden has been continuously in print for almost 40 years and his book The Wild Side of Town won the first UK conservation book prize in 1987.

Chris is self-employed and acts as an adviser to industry and government. He has worked widely with senior executives in the construction, energy, minerals, housebuilding and ethical investment industries and he currently chairs the Independent Stakeholder Advisory Group for National Grid and Ofgem.

Chris Baines is also an environmental campaigner with deep roots in the charitable sector and a long association with community-based environmental action. He helped to establish the UK’s first urban wildlife trust, in the West Midlands, at the end of the 1970s. He was landscape adviser for the Government’s Priority Estates Project in the 1980s. Through the 1990s he advised the Local Government Association, the Sainsbury Family Trusts, The Shell Better Britain Campaign and the New Homes Marketing Board on urban green infrastructure. More recently he served as an adviser on sustainability for the Greenwich Millennium Dome, the London 2012 Olympics athletes’ village, and the World Heritage city of Bath.

Chris has been a National Vice-President of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts since 1986. He is currently an adviser to the National Trust, Hon President of the Thames Estuary Partnership, Hon Patron of the Countryside Management Association and he has been awarded lifetime-achievement medals from both the RSPB and the British Association of Nature Conservationists. He has played a leading role in the fields of environmental education and nature recovery throughout his career. He served as a Trustee of the National Lottery for six years and enjoys an international reputation as an environmental communicator and as a broker of cross-sectoral partnerships. He has always worked from his home in the West Midlands.

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In this conversation, Sharon and Julian discuss the concept of biodiversity net gain and its unintended consequences, particularly in relation to the classification of veteran trees. They highlight the discrepancy between the definition of veteran trees in the National Planning Policy Framework and the definition in the Biodiversity Gain Requirements Regulations. Julian explains that the regulations' definition includes trees with common features such as significant decay, large girth, and high value for nature, which dilutes the exceptional value that should be associated with veteran trees. This creates confusion and potential conflicts in the classification and protection of trees. The conversation explores the challenges and implications of the new regulations regarding veteran trees in the UK. The speakers discuss the confusion around the identification of veteran trees and the different perspectives of arboriculturists and ecologists. They highlight the potential consequences of over-categorizing trees as veterans and the impact on land use planning and development. They also discuss the issue of root protection areas and the unintended consequences of excessive constraints. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the need for a balanced approach to tree preservation and the importance of considering future land use and biodiversity.

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