James is an arboricultural consultant with a broad background spanning practical tree work, forestry, biosecurity, local authority planning and consultancy.
He began his career as a tree surgeon before moving into the Forestry Commission, initially working as a Craftsperson at Bedgebury Pinetum and later briefly as a Woodland Officer. He subsequently joined Forest Services’ National Tree Health Team as a Biosecurity Officer, where he worked with organisations across the arboricultural industry to promote the Keep it Clean campaign and co-authored Arboricultural Association Guidance Note 2: The Application of Biosecurity in Arboriculture.
James has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Photography from the University of Brighton, a Foundation Degree in Arboriculture from Plumpton College, and a Master’s degree in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry from Myerscough College. His master’s research thesis, “Miniature UAVs and Photogrammetry — A Novel Approach to Collecting Aerial Inspection Data from Mature Broadleaf Trees”, was published in the International Society of Arboriculture’s Arboriculture & Urban Forestry journal in 2023.
Following his time with Forest Services, James worked as a local authority tree officer within the planning departments at Poole Council, later Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, and Dorset Council. In 2023, he moved into consultancy with AECOM, providing arboricultural advice on development and infrastructure projects.
His experience combines practical arboriculture, tree health, biosecurity, research, planning and consultancy, giving him a well-rounded understanding of trees from both technical and regulatory perspectives.