Three decades shaping standards across the arboricultural profession.
For Neil Davies, a lifelong career in arboriculture began not with a plan, but with curiosity. As a child, watching a contractor dismantle a mature crack willow in his parents' back garden sparked a fascination with trees and their care that has never left him. That early moment planted the seed for a career that now spans more than 30 years across contracting, local authority work, consultancy, leadership and advocacy within the tree care industry.
Early Foundations
Neil bought his first chainsaw, a Stihl 038 Farm Boss, at just 13 years old, carrying out basic tree work in his village while most teenagers were still deciding what they wanted to do. By 16, he had taken his first professional step, joining the National Trust as an apprentice. The skills, values and mentorship he received during this time laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Building Experience Across the Industry
After completing his apprenticeship, Neil worked as a self-employed woodsman, felling primary thinning for pulpwood, before moving into utility arboriculture across South Wales, Stroud and Gloucester. He then joined a local council tree gang, gaining the qualifications and experience to become a tree surgeon – by his own admission, "not a very good one" at the time – but one eager to learn.
A move to a neighbouring authority's countryside ranger service followed, where Neil cared for important habitats and supported environmental education teams. This role broadened his understanding of trees beyond operations alone, reinforcing the importance of ecology, people and place in arboriculture.
Professional Development and Consultancy
In 2006, Neil became an Assistant Tree Officer and, in 2008, achieved the Arboricultural Association Technician's Certificate (Tech Cert), a significant milestone in his professional development. Four years later, in 2012, he took a bold step into consultancy, founding the Arboriculture and Forestry Consultancy team at WSP UK. It was here that he met long-term collaborator John Mitchener.
Together, Neil and John grew the WSP arboriculture team to nine staff, collectively working on some of the UK's largest and highest-profile projects across multiple sectors. However, after a period of burnout and mental health challenges, Neil made the decision to step away and refocus. He joined TR33 Ltd, one of the UK's longest-standing Arboricultural Association Approved Contractors, where he gained invaluable insight into the contracting side of the industry, learning from complex and challenging arboricultural operations that TR33 are renowned for.
A New Chapter at Keystone Environmental
Most recently, Neil has reunited with John at Keystone Environmental, where they are once again building a new arboricultural consultancy team, now joined by Matt Parkinson. The work marks another exciting chapter in a career defined by growth, reflection and collaboration. "John and I have worked together for ten years. John moved with me from WSP to TR33 and to Keystone. We come as a pair."
Leadership and Advocacy
In October 2024, Neil was elected the 28th Chair of the Arboricultural Association, a role that reflects both his professional standing and his dedication to the industry as a whole.
Throughout his career, Neil has been supported by influential mentors at the National Trust, Caerphilly Council, WSP and TR33. These relationships have shaped not only his technical expertise but also his outlook on leadership, wellbeing and the importance of giving back.
Neil is deeply passionate about arboriculture in all its forms. He is a strong advocate for mental health awareness, raising the professional profile of the tree care industry, and supporting those coming through the profession.
Why Arbortec?
That ethos is what drew him to Arbortec Forestwear: "I've been watching Arbortec for a while now and really like what they do. They're not just selling PPE, they are creating a community of professionals that care about their work and the wider industry. Arbortec are raising the professional profile of our industry through their messaging and support of colleges and universities across the country so when I spotted they have an ambassador scheme, I was keen to be part of it."