— FM Tree Consultancy—
Fiona Melville - Forester, Arboriculturist and Professional Tree Risk Assessor (ISA TRAQ, LANTRA)
I am a highly experienced professional Forester, Arboriculturist, Tree Risk Assessor (ISA TRAQ), Professional Tree Inspector (LANTRA) and small woodland owner with 40 years’ experience working across the public, private and commercial sectors. I hold a Diploma in Forestry from the Scottish School of Forestry, a First Class Honours degree in Arboriculture and a Certificate in Practical Horticulture (Merit) from the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.
As an independent arboricultural consultant, I specialise in trees, planning and development and urban forestry. My work includes BS5837 tree surveys, tree & woodland management (including ancient and veteran), tree risk assessments, and designing with trees, shrubs and hedgerows in both rural and urban landscapes for increased biodiversity and connectivity.
I have led and contributed to major projects across Central Scotland, including the strategic planning, management and landscape design of iconic woodlands and within the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
I am highly skilled in consultation and communication with local authorities, developers, planners and statutory bodies, particularly in relation to complex planning applications involving trees and woodland constraints. I am known for developing practical, technically sound solutions that support development and planning progression whilst protecting valuable tree and woodland assets. I always aim to produce clear, accessible written reports and arboricultural plans using AutoCAD LT and QGIS, suitable for projects of all sizes, and continue to refine data collection in the field for strategic resource management planning.
In January 2022, I was awarded the Ken Martin Award by the Scottish Branch of the Arboricultural Association for “Outstanding service to Scotland’s trees.” In 2023, I developed, organised and ran the first Trees, Planning and Development Conference in Scotland in collaboration with Sue James of the Trees and Design Action Group and supported by the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the Arboricultural Association.
Professional services include:
Arboricultural & urban forestry Consultancy :
Urban Forest Management Plans (including a strategic assessment of the urban forest resource)
Tree, Woodland Management & Design Plans
Management of Trees in Designed Garden Landscapes
Tree, Shrub and Hedgerow Planting Design and Plant Specification
Tree Inventories: Orchards, Heritage Trees, Historic Gardens, Ancient & Veteran Trees
Advice on Biodiversity Enhancements and Nature Connectivity within the Landscape
Advice on Active Travel Projects in relation to protection and enhancement of trees and biodiversity
Professional Tree Risk Assessment and Specification of Remedial Works to BS 3998 (2010) recommendations
Identification & Management of Tree Pests, Diseases & Significant Wood Decay Fungi
BS 5837 (2012) Tree Surveys for development projects, reporting, tree constraints/assessment and tree protection plans integrating with Project Architect, Engineer's CAD drawings
Advice on planning applications specific to existing trees on proposed development sites
Advice on root protection and/or precautionary measures for trees affected by construction activities
Technical advice for retention of mature and significant (Veteran) trees and woodlands on proposed development sites
Technical specification for installation of specimen trees in hard landscapes
Application for Tree Works in relation to: Tree Preservation Orders, Trees in Conservation Areas, Ancient Scheduled Monument Sites and Felling Permissions
Latest AUTOCAD LT software and QGIS
Professional Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) and management for private and commercial clients.
Trees Planning and Development: BS5837:2012 Tree Surveys, Reporting, Tree Constraints and Tree Protection Plans in CAD format
Arboricultural Impact Assessments, Arboricultural Method Statements and Site Supervision. Specification of measures to protect trees and root protection areas (RPAs)
Design and Implementation of Planting Plans: Selection, design and specification of suitable tree, shrub and hedgerow species to enhance Biodiversity and improve Nature Networks.
Veteran Tree Surveys and Management Plans, specification of remedial works to mitigate risk and protect habitats
Specification and management of tree works on challenging sites
Explore the Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) which brings together individuals, professionals, academics and organisations from wide ranging disciplines in both the public and private sectors to improve knowledge and good practice to support the role of urban trees through better collaboration in the planning, design, construction and management and maintenance of our urban places.
