Meet Richmond's Tree Team
Contact the Tree Team
You can contact the Tree Team on
Telephone: 0845 6122 660
Email: trees@richmond.gov.uk.
Our office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Outside these hours for emergencies such as fallen trees, ring the Careline on 0845 600 7413.
Glen Harding - Arboricultural Manager
Glen has been involved with trees for just over 9 years, following in his fathers footsteps. He holds the Technicians Certificate in Arboriculture. He worked in the private sector for 5 years as a tree surgeon, tree surveyor and contract manager before joining the Richmond Tree Section. He is currently studying for the Royal Forestry Society’s Professional Diploma in Arboriculture, recognised internationally as being the top tree industry qualification.
Favourite tree: Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) The shelf-like branches of this beautiful evergreen make it very distinctive. An introduction from the Mediterranean in the seventeenth century, Cedrus libani was frequently planted in churchyards and large gardens it is a magnificent landscape tree if grown in open spaces, with satisfactory space.
Best part of the job: Promoting sustainable development, allowing trees and buildings to exist in harmony.
Worst part of the job: seeing trees being damaged needlessly
Craig Ruddick - Arboricultural Officer
Craig has been the Arboricultural Officer at Richmond for over five years. His time at Richmond has enabled him to gain a varied knowledge of trees within urban areas and the requirements of people that live alongside them. Craig is dedicated to ensuring that the service runs smoothly and enjoys the challenge.
Favourite tree: Sweet Chestnut (Castanaea sativa). A tree with very attractive bark, flowers, leaves.
This tree was introduced to Britain by the Romans and is native to south eastern Europe.
Roasted chestnuts are a seasonal favourite!
Best part of the job: Working with a great group of people, who are all working towards a common goal.
Worst part of the job: Dealing with reports of vandalism to our trees.
Paul Cross - Arboricultural Officer
Paul has been involved with trees for just over 4 years; working as an arborist in the private sector and Windsor Great Park with Europe’s largest collection of Veteran trees before joining the Richmond Tree Section. He currently holds a Degree in Horticulture and the Technician Certificate in Arboriculture and is studying for the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture.
Favourite Tree: London Plane (Platanus x hispanica). The London Plane tree is a hybrid between the Oriental Plane and the American Plane and was first recorded in around 1670. Originally planted at the time of the Industrial Revolution as they were one of a few trees which could thrive within the soot laden atmosphere of London. They are ideally suited to the harsh urban environment as they can tolerate severe pruning, drought, extended light hours from street lighting and colonisation of pathogens.
They have an elegant form with attractive grey/white bark and can grow up to 35 meters with a stem diameter in excess of 3 meters. Good examples of this tree can be seen adjacent to Richmond Bridge and Barnes Common.
Best part of the Job: Managing and maintaining trees within the urban environment.
Worst part of the job: Dealing with trees that have been needlessly damaged through development.
Jeremy Dallow - Arboricultural Officer
Jeremy retrained as an Arboriculturist after a number of years working in IT. He gained a National Diploma from Merrist Wood College and started working at Richmond during his work placement, gaining a full time post within the Arboriculture department after finishing college.
His favourite tree is the English Oak. It maybe an obvious choice, but it's a good one! Standing majestic during the summer months and the stalwart of a classic horror movie over winter.
The worst part of the job is seeing the results of sub-standard tree work leaving trees looking unnatural and butchered. He would always recommend using a suitably qualified contractor with a good reputation or an Arboricultural Association approved contractor, certainly not someone who calls at the door stating that trees need pruning.