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TDAG uses its broad knowledge base to develop guides with evidence-based information, practical advice and case studies to inform decision-making on urban trees. These compile accessible information and advice about the use of economic valuation approaches for trees and green infrastructure, which tool or method to choose and how to get started. 
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First Steps in Urban Tree Canopy Cover: A Strategic Approach for Urban Forest Planning (2024, updated 2025)
There are continued calls to increase urban tree cover across our cities, driven by policies related to climate adaptation, mitigation, levelling up, and social justice. Urban Tree Canopy Cover metrics can be useful for several reasons: they provide a proxy for ecosystem benefits, help monitor changes over time and space, support planning for tree population resilience and climate adaptation, and assist in prioritising areas for increased canopy cover to promote tree equity. 
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First Steps in Canopy Cover Assessments: For All Working in the Built Environment at a Development Site Level  (2025)
The need to incorporate existing and new trees into the design of new developments is widely accepted. Canopy Cover Assessments are useful because visualising canopy cover – both now and in the future – demonstrates how canopy cover targets can be met through creative design. These assessments assist with planning application communications and help reduce community opposition. Urban tree canopy cover projections are uncertain for many reasons, and further research is required to improve the modeling of future urban canopy growth. This guide does not specify a method, rather it brings together all the recent literature and signposts to resources. 
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First Steps in Urban Noise: Recommendations for urban trees as noise buffers (2025)
One of the most sustainable and aesthetically beneficial strategies for mitigating urban noise is the strategic use of trees and vegetation. This first guide describes how tree buffers can be optimised to provide urban noise reduction, outlining how narrow tree buffers can still be an effective method for noise mitigation in an urban setting. The guide could be used for urban practitioners, decision makers and planning authorities across the UK when considering availability of site space for tree planting. 

How to Plant Larger Trees: A Guide for Community Groups (2025)
This guidance was developed in partnership with the National Trust as part of the Urban Forest Accelerator Programme in response to community groups who want to know more about planting larger trees. It offers general guidance only as there will be several variables for each group to consider such as location, legal requirements, local conditions and group capacity and resources. It does not in any way replace local or professional advice.

First Steps in Urban Water (2023)
​Our rainfall patterns are changing as a consequence of climate change. Sustainable water resource management is essential to reduce the impact of flooding, prepare and respond to droughts, while improving water quality. This guide explains the role of trees and other green infrastructure in sustainable water resource management.

Trees, Planning and Development: A Guide for Delivery – Section One and Two (2023)
This guide complements Trees in Hard Landscapes: A Guide for Delivery, and is the second companion to Trees in the Townscape: A Guide for Decision Makers. It is aimed at planners, developers,  landowners, designers, contractors and other stakeholders in the planning and delivery process across the whole of the UK.
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First Steps in Trees and New Developments (2022)
Sets out three principles: ‘understand’, ‘retain’ and ‘enhance’ and outlines the time frame for integrating trees in developments to achieve multiple benefits.

First Steps in Urban Heat (2021)
Urban areas need to be resilient to future warmer summers and increasing overheating risks. This guide explains urban heat, the role of green infrastructure, and how to undertake heat sensitive planning and design.

First Steps in Valuing Trees and Green Infrastructure (2019)
Compiles accessible information and advice about the use of economic valuation approaches for trees and green infrastructure, which tool or method to choose and how to get started. 

Tree Species Selection for Green Infrastructure: A Guide for Specifiers (2018)
Available as French and Dutch versions commissioned by our European Partner Environnement.brussels, as well as the original English, this provides clear, robust information together with a decision-making tool to enable appropriate tree species selection for a wide range of urban planting sites and aid the diversification of the urban forest.
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First Steps in Urban Air Quality (2017)
​Compiles the basics built environment professionals need to know about urban air quality and how design of our urban infrastructure – including green infrastructure – determines where air pollution is produced, and how it disperses.

Trees in Hard Landscapes: A Guide for Delivery​ (2014)
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. Will be of particular interest to highway engineers, public realm professionals and tree specialists. Received the 2016 Landscape Institute Award for Policy and Research.

Trees in the Townscape: A Guide for Decision Makers (2012)
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. ​Received the 2016 Landscape Institute Award for Policy and Research.

The Canopy (2011)
A concise guide for designers, developers and planners on benefits and available solutions for incorporating trees into dense urban environments.

No Trees, No Future (2010)
An introduction on the role of trees and key best practices to ensure new developments make the most of the financial, social and environmental value trees can contribute to places.