Trees in a Pod

5 Episodes

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05 - Lantra’s Lifework: From Chainsaw Certs to Championing Inclusion

2025-11-2658:18

In this episode of Trees in a Pod, I’m joined by Mandy Keech and Clegg Gifford from Lantra - the organisation behind many of the UK’s land-based training standards. We talk about what it really means to be “competent” in arboriculture, why training isn't just a box-ticking exercise, and how Lantra is working to create more inclusive, accessible pathways into the tree industry. Mandy shares her experience in curriculum development and the importance of supporting learners from all walks of lif...

04 - Cracks in the System - Subsidence, Climate and the Hidden Role of Trees with Dr Tim Farewell

2025-07-0341:11

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Tim Farewell, Director of MapleSky Environment and Infrastructure, to explore the invisible forces beneath our feet. We dig into the science of subsidence, the role of clay soils, and how climate change is reshaping risk across the UK. We also talk about infrastructure resilience, insurance models, public perception, and the complex relationship between trees, property and heat. From the rise of wildfires to the limits of AI in subsidence cases, this episode ...

03 - Whitewebbs Oak, Heritage Trees and the Social Contract We Didn’t Know We Had

2025-06-1355:14

In this episode of Trees in a Pod, I’m joined by Adam Cormack from the Woodland Trust. Together, we unpack the Whitewebbs Oak felling, the story behind the Haringey Plane, and why certain trees strike such a deep emotional chord with the public. We explore legal grey areas, the limits of tree protection tools like TPOs, and the urgent need for stronger policy. Adam also shares insights into “tree equity,” why ancient trees fall through the cracks of our current systems, and how high-profile c...

02 - Women in Arboriculture - Real Talk with Emma Cockshott

2025-05-2933:06

In this episode of Trees in a Pod, I speak with Emma Cockshott, co-director of Treetops Devegetation Services in Lancashire. Emma shares her journey from banking into arboriculture, giving us an honest and practical insight into what life is like running a busy vegetation management business in the North West. We talk about common client concerns, the reality of ash dieback, how councils differ in managing protected trees, and what it was like handling hundreds of emergency calls during a sum...

01 - The Sycamore Gap Trial - A Turning Point for Tree Law

2025-05-1522:04

Episode 1: The Sycamore Gap Trial - A Turning Point for Tree Law In this solo debut, Sarah Dodd, founder of Tree Law, unpacks the Sycamore Gap trial: the events, the courtroom drama, and what it all means for the future of tree protection in the UK. With unique behind-the-scenes detail and legal context, Sarah explores how this high-profile case turned the felling of a single tree into international news. She also shares her take on tree valuation, possible sentencing outcomes, a...

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