In a country with a low proportion of woodland cover, our trees are of particular importance. Trees provide important habitats for wildlife and contribute to the landscape value of both rural and urban areas. They provide shelter and shade, and help to reduce levels of greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants. Ancient and veteran trees deserve special protection - for their important contribution to our historic, landscape and ecological heritage. BVM can provide tree-related services to a wide range of clients - including tree surveys for developers, railway and road transport authorities, utility companies, parish councils and local authorities, government departments and agencies, NGOs, charities, environmental bodies and landowners. As well as tree surveys, we can provide consultancy and project management services for tree planting schemes.
BVM has a considerable knowledge of, and a passion for, trees – in all their many shapes and forms. Trees are important to biodiversity, urban and rural landscapes, and our cultural heritage and history. Important trees, including ancient and veteran trees, should be strongly protected and managed carefully – for the good of the tree and its wildlife, as well as the safety of the general public. Much more needs to be done to protect these important trees, and to promote their significance and value.
We must fight against pressures to remove mature trees because of unrealistic assessments of risks to public safety or predicted damage to property. There will, of course, be situations where felling is the only option, but for our best mature (and over-mature) trees this should be the last resort - and must be based on a professional and impartial risk assessment, not on the paranoia that frequently arises from a combination of public ignorance and our ‘blame and claim’ culture.
On the other hand, developers should not be prevented from clearing trees that are of little value and make little contribution to landscapes or biodiversity. Planners should ensure that the best trees are always protected (not just preserved), but allow removal of less important trees – perhaps in return for on- or off-site mitigation measures, which may include new tree planting in appropriate situations.
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BVM founder and Senior Consultant, Chris Britt, has almost 25 years’ experience of working with trees – firstly as a horticultural researcher, then managing research on farm woodlands and more recently as the Project Director for the ODPM’s 'Trees in Towns II' project. 'Trees in Towns II', undertaken in collaboration with
Chris has presented the results of his tree-related research to several national conferences, including those organised by the Arboricultural Association, Association of Applied Biologists and National Urban Forestry Unit.
Chris is currently also involved in voluntary work on ancient trees for the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Hunt, as a 'verifier' for Warwickshire.
BVM applying practical research experience to consultancy and training