Sep 25, 2025
Week 1 - Among the Trees
Where roots breathe, canopies whisper, and policy meets ecology, the practice of arboriculture bridges science, care, and design.
Technical
. . . . .
This week introduced us to the field of arboriculture - the management and study of individual trees and woodlands as living systems embedded within human environments. Arboriculture operates at the meeting point between science, design and public life, ensuring trees remain healthy, safe and integral to community wellbeing. As we learned, a tree functions as a solar-powered fountain - a living organism sustained by the coordination of specialised parts.
Roots serve as both anchor and engine, absorbing water and nutrients while storing carbohydrates for future growth. Root hairs increase the surface area for uptake, while mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic partnerships that enhance nutrient exchange. Above ground, the stem and trunk act as transport systems: xylem carries water and dissolved minerals upward, phloem transports sugars and hormones downward and the cambium produces new tissue, generating strength and renewal. Even the dead heartwood has purpose, providing durable structural support.
Our discussion extended to the Root Protection Area (RPA) - a critical design tool defined as a circle with a radius twelve times the tree’s stem diameter at 1.5 metres height. Devised by Dr Giles Biddle, the RPA safeguards the majority of a tree’s root system (found within the upper 600 mm of soil) from compaction and excavation during development. The principle is clear: beneath every design decision lies the duty to protect living foundations.
. . . . . .
Arboriculture is as much about people as it is about trees. Arboriculturists must navigate communication with clients, councils and the public - balancing ecological integrity with development demands. We examined the planning process, considering factors such as existing tree stock, statutory protections like Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and local authority expectations. An arboriculturist’s report must be accurate, lawful and confined to their professional field, addressing all requirements of the project while remaining clear to diverse audiences.
We discussed the Kew Gardens Tree Selection Guide, a resource that emphasises matching species to context through criteria such as mature size, root tolerance, ecological contribution and nuisance potential. Site hydrology, topography and even the views trees may obscure or frame are all vital considerations. Ultimately, arboriculture asks practitioners to listen - to the site, to the community and to the trees themselves - while doing only what is necessary to sustain balance.
The session also highlighted the importance of understanding shade and shadow lengths at midsummer, as canopy design influences both microclimate and public amenity. Every recommendation becomes a form of mediation between human comfort and ecological continuity.
. . . . . .
The latter part of the lesson turned to woodland ecology - the layered ecosystems that support biodiversity and cultural value. A woodland is defined as an area where the tree canopy is dense enough to shape the understory, influencing light, moisture and temperature. These vertical layers - canopy, understory, field and ground - create microclimates that sustain complex webs of life.
We studied ancient woodlands, ecosystems that have existed continuously since at least 1600 AD in England. Their significance lies in ecological continuity: undisturbed soils, diverse fungi networks and resilient plant communities. The Białowieża National Park in Poland and Belarus served as a case study - Europe’s last great primeval forest, where tensions between conservation and logging reveal the fragility of preservation efforts.
Woodlands are multifunctional landscapes. They provide carbon storage, air purification, soil protection and habitat diversity, while supporting economies through timber, non-timber forest products, eco-tourism and education. For landscape architects, the challenge is to integrate human access without ecological harm. This involves surveying existing conditions, retaining deadwood, encouraging natural regeneration and designing paths that guide rather than intrude. Practices such as thinning, coppicing and successional planting maintain resilience, while community engagement ensures stewardship endures.
In essence, woodland management is not a fixed process but a conversation - between soil, tree and society - where sustainability depends on understanding both living systems and human values.