The latest HortWeek survey, in partnership with the Professional Gardeners’ Guild, has sparked important conversations across the horticulture and arboriculture sectors.

The Guild has recommended a 4% increase in salaries for 2025, aligning with inflationary trends and continued pressures on recruitment and retention in green industries.

AFAG’s initial notifications for 2025 report three fatal “struck-by” incidents

While details remain under investigation, the pattern is painfully familiar: people being hit by timber or moving parts of the system. This blog is what we’re doing, and what every crew can do, to reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

Most adverts list tasks. Ours offers a clear, paid pathway from leading a crew to becoming a Senior Arborist / Technical Lead, with time boxed for training, real mentorship, and recognition as you step up.

Storm seasons, new planning rules, and pest pressures are reshaping the arboriculture market in the UK.

For clients, this means two things: more urgent work when the weather turns, and more strategic work as projects must now deliver biodiversity outcomes. For contractors, it demands operational resilience, compliance fluency, and investment in kit and people.

If you’ve ever walked through a forest or even a local park, you may have spotted a strange growth on the side of an old tree, rounded fungus that almost looks like a hoof. This is commonly called hoof fungus, and while it may seem ominous, it plays an essential role in the ecosystem.

As the days shorten and temperatures drop, the UK’s birdlife prepares for the challenges of winter. The nesting season, typically spanning from March to September, is now behind us. This transition marks a critical period for both our feathered friends and those of us involved in wildlife conservation and property maintenance.

As the days shorten and temperatures drop, the UK’s birdlife prepares for the challenges of winter. The nesting season, typically spanning from March to September, is now behind us. This transition marks a critical period for both our feathered friends and those of us involved in wildlife conservation and property maintenance.

Mark joined Beechwood as a young climber, quickly earning his stripes on some of our most technical sites. He progressed through Team Leader roles, climbing daily, mentoring ground crews, and delivering right-first-time work, before stepping into management, where he now plans, leads and audits work across multiple sites.

For the past 10 years, Mark has been an integral part of our management team, leading our prestigious contract with Coventry City Council. If you’ve seen a safe, well-managed tree operation on the city’s highways or in public spaces, there’s a good chance Mark had a hand in the planning, standards, and delivery.

Storm season is coming, which means a spike in emergency call-outs for fallen trees and large limbs.

Before the wind picks up, here’s a clear, practical guide for tree owners (private homeowners, estates, commercial sites, and housing providers) on your responsibilities, how to reduce your legal exposure, and how Beechwood can help, both proactively and when you need urgent response.

Overhanging branches or encroaching roots from a neighbour’s tree can sometimes cause real issues—blocking sunlight, creating debris, or even damaging your property. But before you pick up the saw, it’s important to understand exactly what the law allows in the UK.

At Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd, we’re often asked where the boundaries lie. Here’s a clear, fact-checked guide to help homeowners and landowners avoid disputes, and stay on the right side of the law.

Ivy removal from buildings is a critical maintenance task that protects your property from structural damage while preserving its value. While ivy-covered buildings may appear charming, this aggressive plant can cause significant damage to masonry, siding, and roofing systems over time.

September 2025 marks a proud milestone for Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd, 27 years since the business was founded.

What started back in 1998 as a small, ambitious company named Beechwood Tree Services has since grown into one of the UK’s most trusted names in arboriculture and landscaping.

Tree surgeons, or arborists, are the carers of the UK’s treescape.

From the Oaks lining our historic streets to the trees softening our housing estates and private gardens, their work keeps our environment safe, healthy, and thriving.

Start Your Leadership Journey: From Arborist to Technical Leader 🌳

In the UK, the arboricultural industry is facing a challenge we can no longer ignore: a shortage of skilled arborists. Demand for professional tree work is rising, yet the next generation of leaders is in short supply.

At Beechwood Trees, we’re proud to support Fund4Trees and the Arboricultural Association with their important national campaign: #FreeTheTree.

The campaign raises awareness about a hidden but widespread problem: strangling tree ties.

The Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina), also known as the Yellow-Legged Hornet, is a non-native invasive species that poses a growing threat to the UK’s pollinators.

First recorded in Europe in 2004, it has since spread rapidly, and in recent years there have been increasing sightings here in the UK.

On the 10th and 11th of September 2025, I had the privilege of joining the Fund4Trees two-day charity cycle, an event planned and delivered with trademark precision and enthusiasm by Russell Ball and the trustees.

Over two days we cycled, laughed, got soaked, raised awareness, and shared the vital message about the importance of aftercare for newly planted trees.

Even though September marks the official end of the bird nesting season in the UK, our teams are still encountering active bird nests during on-site inspections. Many homeowners and landowners ask, “Why are there still active bird nests in September?” Understanding why some birds nest later in the season is important if you’re planning tree or hedge maintenance, as disturbing an active nest can be illegal and harmful to wildlife.

September marks a pivotal moment in the gardening calendar. As summer heat fades, this month offers some of the best opportunities to extend your growing season and prepare for next year's blooms. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, September gardening can yield impressive results with the right approach.

The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is one of the brain’s most fascinating and underappreciated networks.

Often described as the mind’s filter, the RAS determines which information from your environment makes it to your conscious awareness. In doing so, it helps you stay alert, focused, and able to navigate the constant flood of sensory input in daily life.