The National Tree Safety Group (NTSG) was formed in response to growing concerns about the unnecessary removal of trees from the UK’s streets, parks and landscapes.

We are deeply saddened to announce that Nev Fay died on Monday 17th August, after a sudden illness. He was 78.

Nev was a founder member of the NTSG and chair of the editorial group which produced both the first and second editions of the NTSG Guidance. He will be recognised as one of the great arboriculturists of our time, often many years’ ahead of mainstream thinking. As well as a long career working as a contractor and consultant with his company, Treework Environmental Practice, Nev was a pioneer in many fields. He was a founder of Tree Aid which has been responsible for planting over 40 million trees in Africa, a founder member of the Ancient Tree Forum and also of the Sustainable Soils Alliance, as well as the National Tree Safety Group. His knowledge, foresight and philosophy led him to explore and research many novel approaches to understanding trees and their ecology and his boundless energy forged many conferences, workshops and events to engage with the arboricultural community and beyond.

Nev’s curiosity and vision led him to bring together experts and thought-leaders from across disciplines and around the world to contribute to the 21 ‘Innovations in Arboriculture’ Seminars which have informed the development of arboricultural thinking and practice. He was the author and contributor to many important published scientific papers and books and was widely respected both in the UK and internationally.

Nev was a gentle, patient and considerate person who always had time to listen to others and his contribution to our lives is immeasurable. He will be sorely missed and his legacy will be long. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.