—  FM Tree Consultancy—

Fiona Melville - Forester, Arboriculturalist and Professional Tree Risk Assessor  

Fiona is a highly experienced professional forester, arboriculturalist, tree risk assessor and small woodland owner with over 38 years’ experience working across the public, private and commercial sectors. She holds a First Class Honours degree in Arboriculture, a Diploma in Forestry from the Scottish School of Forestry, and a Certificate in Practical Horticulture (Merit) from the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.

As an independent arboricultural consultant, Fiona specialises in trees, planning and development and urban forestry. Her work includes BS5837 tree surveys, woodland management, tree risk assessments, and designing with trees, shrubs and hedgerows for both rural and urban landscapes providing increased biodiversity and connectivity.

Fiona has 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.

She is 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. Fiona is known for developing practical, technically sound solutions that support development and planning progression whilst protecting valuable tree and woodland assets. Fiona produces clear, accessible written reports and arboricultural plans using AutoCAD LT and QGIS, suitable for projects of all sizes.

In January 2022, Fiona was awarded the Ken Martin Award by the Scottish Branch of the Arboricultural Association for “Outstanding service to Scotland’s trees.” In 2023, Fiona 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.

 

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.

 
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