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The Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) is a world first 
TDAG brings together a pioneering group of individuals, professionals and organisations from wide ranging disciplines in both the public and private sectors to increase awareness of the role of trees in the built environment. Learn more about TDAG

What do we do?
News
Lord Framlingham champions urban trees at the UK House of Lords:
"Are we making the most of this incredible asset?"
Lord Framlingham made a strong case for urban trees at the House of Lords on Thursday 15 January 2015 during a Natural Environment debate initiated by Lady Bakewell. Lord Framlingham called for a nationally coordinated approach to enhance the integration of trees in the design and management of hard landscapes. We were also very please that he commended TDAG's latest two publications and urged Lord de Mauley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to "lend his weight to the distribution of these guides, or more particularly their contents, so as to co-ordinate and encourage the most enlightened and best practice everywhere". Less satisfactory was the lack of clear answer to Lord Framlingham's question on who has responsibility for urban trees at a governmental level. It would appear that, despite the interest and good intentions towards urban trees demonstrated during the debate, the central question as to who is actually responsible for ensuring the urban forest and all the benefits it bestows is managed in the present and is sustained and developed into the future, remains unanswered. The full debate can be read here (scroll down to time stamp 12:28pm to find Lord Framlingham's speech).
Sir Terry Farrell now a TDAG Trustee
TDAG and Farrells are pleased to announce that Sir Terry Farrell is now a trustee of the TDAG Trust alongside Martin Kelly, Chair; Dr Mark Johnston, co-author of Trees in Towns II and Keith Sacre, Sales Director at Barcham Trees and lead author of the recent BS 8545:2014 Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape.  Our press release provides more details.
Based in the North West? Don't miss our 29/01 Manchester event!
A seminar has been arranged in association with Red Rose Forest and with support from the CIHT, ICE and LI. The focus will be on TDAG’s latest publication, Trees in Hard Landscapes: A Guide for Delivery and will be an opportunity to understand more about the issues relating to strategic decision making and the effective delivery of trees in hard landscapes and so will be of particular interest to planners, highway engineers, architects, urban designers and landscape architects. The event is without charge and will take place at the University of Manchester Museum on 29th January from 1.45 to 5pm. It qualifies as CPD. For bookings & further details: https://eventbrite.com/event/15154601822/
Trees in Hard Landscapes: A Guide for Delivery
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY!

Trees in Hard Landscapes: A Guide for Delivery explores the practical challenges and solutions to integrating trees in 21st century streets, civic spaces and surface car parks, detailing process, design and technical options. It will be of particular interest to highway engineers, public realm professionals and tree specialists.
>> Click here to download your (free) PDF copy of the guide and see the calendar of training events being held to facilitate its dissemination.
Download your copy here (it's free!)
Has your local authority endorsed Trees in the Townscape: A Guide for Decision Makers?

Trees in the Townscape: A Guide for Decision Makers  offers 12 principles of best practice for all those involved in local decision making to ensure that our 21st century towns and cities are underpinned by a 21st century approach to urban trees, for maximum economic, social and environmental returns.

On June 26, 2012 when the guide was launched, the 12 principles of best practice it promotes had already received 12 endorsements from local authority councillors, local businesses or community organisations and social landlords as well as from government agencies such as the Forestry Commission! See our press release for more details on the launch.
Watch Rt. Hon. Norman Baker MP's June 2012 address on the importance of urban trees