About Trees Ltd. provides professional estate tree management services across Kent, supporting landowners, estates, and institutions with safe, compliant arboricultural works. This project, carried out on behalf of St John’s College, Cambridge, involved managing tree risk across a rural agricultural estate following detailed surveys, including roadside works, TPO compliance, and long-term replanting strategies.

Estate Tree Management in Kent

Client: St John’s College, Cambridge
Location: Agricultural Estate, Kent
Project Duration: Ongoing Works Following Tree Surveys

Project Overview:

About Trees Ltd. carried out a programme of tree works across a rural agricultural estate in Kent owned by St John’s College, Cambridge.

The project focused on managing tree risk across a large and varied estate, including roadside trees, field boundaries, and access routes used by tenanted farmers. The site was covered by a blanket Tree Preservation Order (TPO), so all works required careful planning to ensure full compliance.

Survey Review, Planning and TPO Management:

All works were based on detailed tree surveys, which identified dead, dangerous, and declining trees, including ash trees affected by ash dieback (ADB).

Survey recommendations guided the planning process. Where required, coordination with stakeholders ensured all works met TPO requirements and current arboricultural standards.

Challenging Site Conditions:

The condition of the site created a key challenge. Prolonged poor weather left large areas waterlogged, limiting access across the estate.

As a working livery, the site required close coordination with horse owners and handlers throughout the project. The safety and welfare of horses remained a priority at all times, alongside public and operator safety.

Works were scheduled and communicated in advance to reduce disruption to daily livery operations.

Careful planning minimised ground disturbance. Machinery access was adapted to suit conditions across farmland and tenant routes, without compromising safety or efficiency.

Roadside and High-Risk Tree Works:

A significant proportion of the work involved trees located along rural roads and estate access routes.

Works included:

• Removal of dead and dangerous trees
• Felling of ash trees affected by ash dieback
• Clearance of low-hanging branches impacting highways and farm access
• Removal of structurally compromised trees

Safe and controlled techniques were used throughout, particularly in areas with vehicle movement, farm traffic, and public access.

Replanting and Long-Term Management:

A comprehensive restocking and replanting schedule was developed to support the long-term sustainability of the estate.

This ensured all necessary removals were balanced with a clear planting strategy aligned with long-term land management objectives.

Species selection considered site conditions and future resilience, supporting the ongoing structure and continuity of the estate’s tree population.

This approach not only manages immediate risk but also improves long-term tree health.

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations:

We carried out all works in line with TPO requirements and best arboricultural practice.

We also considered the wider environment across the estate. Our approach balanced safety, compliance, and the long-term ecological value of the landscape.

Project Outcome:

The completed works reduced tree-related risks across the estate, improving safety along roads, field boundaries, and access routes used by tenanted farmers.

The project demonstrates About Trees Ltd.’s ability to deliver professional arboricultural services across large rural estates, managing compliance, challenging conditions, and long-term planning within a single programme of works.

To learn more about our roadside tree management and traffic management services in Kent, get in touch with About Trees Ltd.