We find ourselves in a dynamic period for arboriculture. The sector is burgeoning, which brings a heightened public profile and places tree professionals well and truly in the spotlight, including our behaviour and attitude. We must be professional.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a Professional as:

Professional ► noun a person engaged or qualified in a profession. ■ a person engaged in a specific activity, especially a sport, as a main paid occupation rather than as a pastime. ■ a person competent or skilled in a particular activity.

Professionals stand apart because their relationship with their peers, clients and society, in general, is based on implicit trust. This notion of trust crops up time and again when considering professionalism.

As a member of the Arboricultural Association, I must abide by the Association’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, which should inspire trust and confidence. Beyond that, the  Code of Conduct and Ethics is central to the professional life of an arboricultural consultant, not only as a source of ethical guidance, but also as a guide to principles of good practice and high standards. The six core principles that members must abide by are:

• Competence
• Honesty and integrity
• Independent professional judgement
• Due care and diligence
• Equality and respect
• Professional behaviour

Another crucial component of trust is professionalism, and one of the key contributing factors in professionalism is a commitment to lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.

As the principal consultant at Callophrys Tree Consultancy, I have set myself a target of undertaking a minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional development each year. My professional development record is freely available should a client ever wish to see it.

In 2025, I obtained qualifications in two of the industry’s most respected tree risk assessment and management tools – Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) and VALID. In doing so, I became the only arboricultural consultant in Scotland currently certified to carry out both QTRA and VALID assessments. Yes, a unique selling point for the consultancy, but more importantly, a demonstration that as principal consultant, I do not intend to stagnate or become complacent. Ongoing professional development is paramount. That’s what a professional does.