Tree Lady Talks – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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Tree Lady Talks: Ancient Woodland, Coppicing, and the Future of British Woods

This episode explores how Britain’s ancient woodlands evolved from bustling, managed landscapes into the darker, neglected woods many people know today — and why restoring woodland management could be key to biodiversity, timber security, and human wellbeing. It works because it pairs nostalgia with hope: listeners get a vivid sense of loss, then a practical path forward.Episode summaryTree Lady talks with Luke B, author of Ancient and Senior Advisor for Trees and Woodlands with the National Trust, about the deep history of British woods and the urgent need to bring woodland management back. The conversation covers ancient woodland definitions, coppicing, wood pasture, selective felling, deer pressure, ash dieback, plantations on ancient woodland sites, and the cultural value of reconnecting people with woods.

Key topics covered

• What qualifies as ancient woodland in England, Wales, and Scotland

• How wood pasture, coppicing, and pollarding shaped historic woodlands

• Why today’s dark, dense woods are a relatively recent development

• How coppice restoration creates vital habitat for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife

• Why coppicing is culturally important but economically difficult at scale

• The role of continuous cover forestry and selective felling

• Horse logging and low-impact timber extraction methods

• How plantations on ancient woodland sites can be restored

• The impact of deer browsing on woodland regeneration

• Ash dieback, ecological change, and opportunities for regeneration

• Why native lime trees are a living link to deep woodland history

• The future of woodland culture, local timber, and human connection to nature

Notable moments

• Luke shares how stories like Robin Hood, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings drew him into the woods as a child.

• The discussion explains that many ancient woods were once open, busy, and highly managed rather than dark and untouched.

• Coppicing is described as a habitat engine: different regrowth stages support different species at different times.

• Luke explains that most coppice products are likely to remain luxury items, so broader subsidy and support are needed.

• The episode highlights the value of restoring neglected ancient woods and removing conifers to let native woodland life return.

• The conversation closes on a vision of woods that are alive with people, wildlife, and new woodland culture.

GuestLuke B — Senior Advisor for Trees and Woodlands, National Trust; author of AncientTakeawayAncient woodlands are not museum pieces. They are living systems that need active, sensitive management to support wildlife, people, and the next generation of woodland culture.Suggested quote

Copy

“The wood is the special thing — the trees come and go, and it’s the woodland ecosystem that we need to look after.”

Resources mentioned

• Ancient by Luke B

• The Wood Age by Roland Ennos

• Kathy Willis, Good Nature

Keywordsancient woodland, coppicing, wood pasture, selective felling, woodland restoration, biodiversity, ash dieback, deer management, native lime, timber security, nature connection

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Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon discusses the newly released handbook on UK urban tree allometry with experts Joe Fennell and Luke Fay. The conversation covers the importance of understanding tree growth data, the process of data collection and cleaning, and the practical applications of this data in landscape design. The handbook aims to provide a comprehensive overview of tree characteristics, including mature tree dimensions and predictive models for tree growth, emphasizing the need for standardized data in urban forestry. In this conversation, Luke Fay and Joe Fennell discuss the importance of tree data standards and the opportunities for utilizing tree data in various applications, including local government feasibility studies and evaluating government funding for tree planting. They emphasize the need for more comprehensive data collection methods and the potential for remote sensing to enhance tree valuation. The conversation also touches on practical applications of tree growth models and the future directions for tree data collection, highlighting the significance of evidence-based approaches in arboriculture.

Takeaways

The handbook provides essential data on urban tree growth.
Understanding tree dimensions is crucial for effective management.
Data cleaning standardizes various tree measurement methods.
Mature tree characteristics can inform landscape design.
Predictive models help estimate tree growth and dimensions.
The data is based on actual observations from the UK.
Variability in tree growth must be considered in predictions.
The handbook includes statistical models for tree characteristics.
Collaboration among professionals enhances data collection efforts.
Future tree planting must consider mature canopy sizes. The growing conditions and management affect tree data significantly.
Tree data standards are crucial for consistent data collection.
There are opportunities to predict tree growth using existing data.
Local governments can utilize tree data for feasibility studies.
Growth curves are essential for understanding long-term tree growth.
Remote sensing can enhance tree valuation and ecosystem service calculations.
Standardizing data collection methods is vital for future analysis.
The industry has a wealth of data that can be better utilized.
Funding is necessary to advance tree data research.
Collaboration and data sharing can benefit environmental planning.

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Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon interviews Henry Kuppen, a tree ambassador from the Netherlands, about the concept of 'tree guests'—a reframing of pests and diseases that affect trees. Henry discusses the importance of biodiversity in managing tree health, particularly in relation to the oak processionary moth. The conversation explores various management techniques, the ecological impact of these pests, and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding tree management. The episode emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the need for a more holistic approach to arboriculture. In this conversation, Sharon and Henry Kuppen explore the complex relationships between microorganisms, invasive species, and human impact on ecosystems. They discuss the role of trade and travel in spreading diseases like Xylella, the importance of native versus non-native species, and the need for a shift in perspective from an ego-centric view of ecosystems to one of acceptance and understanding. The conversation emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and the need for a more holistic approach to managing tree guests and other species in our environment.

Takeaways

Henry Kuppen is now a tree ambassador, focusing on promoting the importance of trees.
The term 'tree guests' reframes pests and diseases as natural components of tree ecosystems.
Biodiversity is crucial for managing tree health and resilience against pests.
The oak processionary moth poses risks primarily to human health rather than tree health.
Management techniques for pests should be targeted and specific to minimize ecological impact.
Chemical solutions are not the only option; natural predators should be considered.
Legal standards in tree management are evolving to prioritize ecological balance.
Invasive species require careful management to protect native ecosystems.
Understanding the food chain can help in accepting tree guests as part of nature.
The conversation highlights the responsibility of humans in declining biodiversity. Microorganisms play a crucial role in ecosystems and can spread diseases.
Human activities, such as trade and travel, significantly impact the rise of invasive species.
The increase in pests and diseases is linked to climate change and loss of natural predators.
Xylella poses a significant risk to various tree species, particularly olives and grapes.
Native species should be prioritized in rural areas, while urban areas can accommodate a wider variety of species.
Understanding the life cycles of tree guests can foster respect and acceptance rather than eradication.
Ecosystem management should focus on ecological balance rather than human-centric views.
Education and research are vital for effective biosecurity measures.
Acceptance of tree guests can lead to a richer understanding of biodiversity.
A shift in perspective is necessary to address the challenges posed by invasive species.

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Paul Chatterton is a writer, researcher and campaigner. He is Professor of Urban Futures in the School of Geography at the University of Leeds and is currently Director of the University's Sustainable Cities Group which launched the ground breaking MSc Sustainable Cities. Paul is also co-founder and resident of the award winning low impact housing co-operative Lilac and helped set up local civic groups Leeds Commuity Homes and Kirkstall Valley Development Trust. His recent books include Low Impact Living and Unlocking Sustainable Cities with Pluto Press. He is also co-founder of the public charity 'Antipode' dedicated to research and scholarship in radical geography

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Dinah Bornat Session Chair

Director ZCD Architects

Dinah is an expert on child friendly cities and has researched and published extensively on the subject. She is a Mayor's Design Advocate for the Mayor of London, a design review panel member for Harrow and Hounslow Councils, a Wise Friend for Urban Design London and a member of the Hackney Regeneration Design Advice Group.

As well as the GLA she has worked closely with local authorities across the capital, including Hackney, Tower Hamlets, LLDC and Islington. At present the practice is working on a number of major and smaller scale regeneration projects, contributing to the design as well carrying out their pioneering children and youth engagement work.

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Dinah is an expert on child friendly cities and has researched and published extensively on the subject. She is a Mayor's Design Advocate for the Mayor of London, a design review panel member for Harrow and Hounslow Councils, a Wise Friend for Urban Design London and a member of the Hackney Regeneration Design Advice Group.

As well as the GLA she has worked closely with local authorities across the capital, including Hackney, Tower Hamlets, LLDC and Islington. At present the practice is working on a number of major and smaller scale regeneration projects, contributing to the design as well carrying out their pioneering children and youth engagement work. She is a Director at ZCD Architects

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Ed is a civil engineer and graduate of Imperial College. He has a Masters Degree in Hydraulic Engineering from the Universidad National Autonoma de Mexico.

He is a Vice President of the Institution of Civil Engineers which is now 200 years old and has a global membership of 92,000 professionals.

Ed is a Senior Director of Expedition Engineering and was instrumental in the growth of Expedition from a “back-bedroom start-up” to Building Magazine’s Engineering Consultant of the Year in 2011.

He is known as an innovative designer specializing in complex multi-disciplinary and regeneration projects. He was Expedition’s Director responsible for the London 2012 Velodrome and the Infinity Bridge in Stockton.

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Picture the scene.

During lockdown, Noel enters an empty restaurant, empty but for restaurant tables upon which are television monitors of many interviews streaming on a loop, and on the far wall, banks of speaker systems. The 'Culture' bart has been set up with virtual drinks and a special 'Literary Corner' for readings from some of the authors involved in Season 1, again via TV monitors.
However, tonight Noel, although he doesn't know it, is walking into a trap. Thinking he has engineered a huge suprise for the Tree Lady Talks host, his wife Sharon, he is unaware that she has actually turned the tables on him, and he will be doing the hosting instead whilst she mingles with the monitors and generally has a good time!
The Master of Ceromonies awaits their arrival - hopefully he can busk his way through the evening and link up the highlights which include contributions from John Parker of the Arboricultural Association, Jon Ryan LBI, Richard Collins, Darren Morcroft, John Tucker, Punam Krishan and many more.

Will he pull it off? Tune in to find out! 

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Ed is a civil engineer and graduate of Imperial College. He has a Masters Degree in Hydraulic Engineering from the Universidad National Autonoma de Mexico.

He is a Vice President of the Institution of Civil Engineers which is now 200 years old and has a global membership of 92,000 professionals.

Ed is a Senior Director of Expedition Engineering and was instrumental in the growth of Expedition from a “back-bedroom start-up” to Building Magazine’s Engineering Consultant of the Year in 2011.

He is known as an innovative designer specializing in complex multi-disciplinary and regeneration projects. He was Expedition’s Director responsible for the London 2012 Velodrome and the Infinity Bridge in Stockton.

In 2009, Ed and the two other owners of Expedition set up a social enterprise called the Useful Simple Trust and gave the company to the employees. He is now a Trustee of the UST, which has a number of award-winning companies specialising in Engineering, Communications Design, Architecture, Education and Sustainability.

He is a Royal Academy Visiting Professor of Innovation and a member of the UK’s i3P Strategic Leadership Group which is focused on innovating across the built environment.

He co-created cross industry initiatives including: the Constructionarium, the Get It Right Initiative and the Expedition Workshed.

Along the way he appeared in 35 Television programs on engineering and apparently has a fan in Japan!

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Yvonne is an urban greening and climate resilience strategist and advises governments internationally on urban greening. Yvonne is currently collaborating on the development and implementation of Green Riyadh with the Riyadh Development Authority. Green Riyadh aims to create 3300 new parks and gardens, and to plant 7.5 million trees by 2030.
 She has advised local and state governments around Australia, having led the City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest and Ecology team for several years, and internationally on how to green cities and adapt to extreme climate conditions. She is impact focused and helps governments to accelerate policy change and implementation

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