Arboricultural design and consultancy caring for trees in the Middle East, especially the UAE, Dubai and Abu Dhabi regions.
Why care for trees?
Trees are a vital part of any landscape and especially so in arid climates. With the rapid growth of cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi has come a huge volume of new landscape creation. As these landscapes mature, new understanding of the way to care for trees is required and this is especially true of broadleaf trees.
Physical safety is one aspect of this work: all trees in an urban setting must be safe for the close interaction that people have. Trees create beauty, shade, evapotranspiration (cooling) plus homes and food for birds and insects. They also play a huge role in giving us our biophilic contact with nature. With ever increasing temperatures caused by climate change, the “ecosystem services” of trees becomes indispensable in creating beautiful and livable urban landscapes.
Services
We survey your trees to assess them for health and form, producing detailed tree surveys & reports listing actions & recommendations
Training of local staff in correct pruning & care procedures using hand tools and chainsaw. Also equipment supply
We examine trees to assess risk to public health in accordance with ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) risk assessments
For large, dangerous or difficult trees that need expert care, we arrange for qualified and experienced arborists to carry out works
We can train teams and supervise the preparation, lifting, replanting & irrigation of mature trees
Selecting poor nursery stock can limit the life and health of the trees on your project. We select and recommend the best stock available, tree by tree
Blog
Planting Design in the Middle-East
The other side of work I undertake in the Middle-East region is planting design, for creating new landscapes always brings me a special joy. When they are in public spaces, I love the chance it gives to interact (albeit remotely) with many people in place, over time and hopefully, enhance their experience of that place. …
Tree Surgery to a Mature Tree in Abu Dhabi
I recently supervised a major crown reduction on an over-mature Eucalyptus on an historic site in Abu Dhabi. I had surveyed the tree last year and made a recommendation to carry out a substantial crown reduction, due to the declining vigour of the tree and the close proximity to people and buildings. We used a …
Continue reading “Tree Surgery to a Mature Tree in Abu Dhabi”
Lighting Fixtures in Trees
On my last few trips to Dubai, I have been noticing a lot of trees with lighting installed in them. Whilst these can create stunning effects at night, the correct methods of installation and maintenance are essential for the long-term well-being of the tree. We have to put the needs of the tree first – …
About
Mark Laurence is a chartered horticulturalist (MCIHort), consulting arborist and landscape designer (MSGD), with over forty years’ experience. He has a special interest and love of working with landscapes and trees in the Middle-East, principally in the United Arab Emirates.
Recent work has included surveys on trees being lifted for replanting for the redevelopment of Umm Al Emarat park in Abu Dhabi, surveys and training of staff in the grounds of a royal palace and tree consultation on historic and commercial sites. Current commissions in 2019 include an extensive tree/soft landscape design package on a major design project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.