Trees and Design Action Group
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The Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG), brings together individuals, professionals, academics and organisations from wide ranging disciplines in both the public and private sectors to improve knowledge and good practice to support the role of urban trees through better collaboration in the planning, design, construction and management and maintenance of our urban places. We run free to attend online seminars  - see  'Events'.
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News

Newsletter – September 2026
​​This includes TDAG events and activities; events organised by others and an extensive list of new publications and research. We would like to encourage more research dissemination and so are introducing a ‘Research Round-up – Implications for practitioners’ inviting researchers to tell us about their completed projects and why they are relevant for practitioners working with trees. Please submit a short outline here.
tdagnewsletterseptember26.pdf
File Size: 208 kb
File Type: pdf
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Just published!
Street Trees: A Guide to Planting, Establishment and Aftercare. Forestry Commission (August 2026)


The Trees and Design Action Group was a member of the steering group for this new guidance document for the Forestry Commission looking at all aspects of street tree planting in both new streets and retrofitting supported by technical drawings by Team Civic.

Street Trees: A Guide to Planting, Establishment and Aftercare is available as a pdf below and an accessible version will be on the government website in due course. 
street_trees_guidance_forest_commission_august_2026.pdf
File Size: 10097 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


​New NPPF is now published

The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has some good news for trees  - see Chapter 19, N3: Trees in new development 1.

In recognition of the benefits which trees can provide for biodiversity, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the character and quality of the built environment, development proposals should:
a. Make new streets tree-lined (unless there are strong reasons why this would be inappropriate in specific streets), and incorporate trees in other suitable locations, such as in parks and through the provision of community orchards;
b. Ensure that the selection of species and their placement is compatible with highways and other infrastructure requirements and the needs of different users of public spaces; and will be effective in helping to adapt to the effects of climate change and delivering other environmental benefits. Suitable arboricultural advice should be sought, and proposals discussed with highways and trees officers where necessary, so that the right trees are planted in the right places; and
c. Make provision for the long-term maintenance of both existing and newly-planted trees which form part of the development.

 
The National Planning Policy Framework document is available online. 

Too much heat, too little water

As we face a series of heatwaves and the corresponding pressure on water supplies our First Steps Guides on Urban Heat and Water provide a  better understand the underlying issues and the role that trees and green infrastructure can play in adaptation.
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Podium planting – our latest case study is available now

​Podium planting may be the only way to achieve green space in denser urban environments.

​This 
case study from the City of London explains how it can be successfully achieved, ensuring new trees grow to a healthy maturity, to the benefit of the local area and its community.
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News​ archive ​
Core funders
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trees.org.uk

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bali.org.uk

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barcham.co.uk

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greenblue.com

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trees.hillier.co.uk

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mineralproducts.org

​European partner

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environnement.
brussels

CPD partner

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theihe.org

Administrative support

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birmingham.ac.uk
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Contact us

All matters 
Sue James [email protected]

Administration

Deanne Brettle [email protected]
 


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​Please note: TDAG does not have the resources to comment on individual tree cases or other local issues.
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