Sustainability
Permaculture
Co-operation
Integrity

For us this is Sustainability, Permaculture, Integrity and Co-operation; these are the core principles that are at the heart of Eco Tree Care & Conservation work and life.

Recently featured in' The Guardian' Article on Ethical Small Businesses - See www.guardian.co.uk

Fortunately there is a growing number of people that realise that a change from the 'old' wasteful and destructive days is necessary, not only for our environment, but also for our own feelings of well-being. There is an ever-growing movement towards environmentally & socially conscious work and living; we see it in the papers, on the television, on the internet. True it is mixed in with the reports of environmental catastrophes and atrocities, but all the time there is a growing recognition that things are changing... and not before time.

This is certainly very evident in the tree industry. At Eco Tree Care & Conservation keeping up with current thinking and changes in the industry is very important to us. One because it keeps us up to date and on the cutting edge of our profession, and also it gives much inspiration and hope for the future. For example if one is to look through the recent issues of journals like, 'Forestry & British Timber', 'Essential Arb', The Tree Council's 'Tree News', The Woodland Trust's Broadleaf and the Arboricultural Association Newsletter it is heartening to see many many articles about this change towards environmental thinking. There are articles on sustainable woodland management, using wood chips as a source of renewable fuel to heat homes, wood burning power stations supplied by locally coppiced woodlands, building more energy efficient timber framed houses, new developments in environmentally-friendly wood preservation, initiatives and grants to plant more woodland and so on and so on. (see resource)

An International definition of Sustainability often quoted is..

It implies living with current natural resources, and using them prudently and efficiently and ensuring that their use is within a constant cycle of renewal. In other words, the rate of using them does not exceed the rate that the natural environment can regenerate them. At the same time, whilst respecting this cycle, we are also protecting the environment by reducing damaging practices and attitudes, and recycling, repairing and reusing as much as possible.

Essential to this perspective is that there be a positive net return, or at least a balance, in terms of resources expended and returned. What can't be ignored in this picture are the hidden costs, such as loss of wildlife & natural habitats, health care costs from chemical exposure, energy expended in transport costs, packaging, disposal and so on.

If all these factors are taken into account then it is easy to see that there are many industrial and retail practices that do not fit into this picture of sustainability.

in city flats, yards and window boxes
suburban and country houses and gardens
allotments and smallholdings
on farms and estates
countryside and conservation areas
industrial and educational premises
on waste ground

Simply...living truthfully and in accordance with our values and principles.

We aim to be socially and environmentally conscious in our work. To be honest in our intentions, and honest in our interactions with ourselves and others.

Integrity is about working and living according to the personal standards that have that feeling of 'rightness' to them. To do anything else quickly leads to dysfunction and unhappiness, to distrust, bad feeling and greed. These negative attitudes fuel environmental destruction, which is why integrity has to be part of any social and environmental change if it is to become more sustainable. It is about trusting and being trustworthy.

"The best pillow is a clear conscience" - Ghandi (again)

On an everyday level this means...

We quote only for what is necessary, driven by tree care not profit

If we give a day and time for a quote, or job we strive to keep our word, and be on time

If we are, for whatever reason, unable to keep an appointment we telephone or e-mail to rearrange at the earliest possibility, to avoid inconvenience

Prices reflect the amount of technical expertise and risk involved and of course, straight-forward hard work. We aim to neither under price or overprice.

Our waste is important to us. It will be treated in an environmentally sensitive manner by being recycled when & where possible

Bio-degradable chain oil is used, when possible, to minimise local environmental damage to gardens and ponds e.t.c.

Eco Tree Care & Conservation is co-operative; this is what makes us so successful

We also co-operate with other individuals and organisations who share our objectives and philosophy. And aim, through the use of modern web technology and communication, to help in the continual networking of like-minded individuals and companies involved in tree surgery, woodland management, wood and woodland products, sustainable building and architecture, conservation, permaculture and sustainability. (see resource)

A co-operative within a co-operative, within a co-operative....