Roger: 0:02

Talking Trees with Lillian Jadd. Welcome to Talking Trees. In today's episode, we introduce Tim Moya Associates, or TMA, a consulting firm specializing in arboriculture, ecology and landscape architecture. The sources highlight TMA's impressive range of services, from planning and property management to comprehensive environmental advisory. They also showcase TMA's free mobile app, tma Fungi, designed to identify wood decay fungi and deepen our understanding of the relationships between trees and fungi. Join us as we explore the expertise and innovative approach that set TMA apart in the field.

Jad: 0:43

an innovative approach that set TMA apart in the field. Hey everyone, and welcome to a deep dive curated specifically for all you professional arborists out there. We're going to be taking a look at TMA today TMA. Yeah, an environmental consultancy working across the UK and Ireland.

Lilly: 0:58

Okay.

Jad: 0:59

They've been doing some really interesting stuff lately, particularly when it comes to a new tool they've developed for identifying wood decay fungi. We'll be checking out articles from the Arboricultural Association and TMA's own website and company profile to get a better understanding of what they're all about.

Lilly: 1:14

Sounds good.

Jad: 1:15

So you're out in the field sometimes and you see a fungus on a tree.

Lilly: 1:18

Yeah.

Jad: 1:19

And you kind of wish you had an expert right there with you to help you ID it. You know. Oh yeah, for sure Well that's exactly what TMA is trying to solve with this app, wow. So before we get into the app itself, let's back up a bit.

Lilly: 1:31

Yeah, who is TMA? What's their story? Well, they've been around for over 30 years, which is pretty impressive in this field.

Jad: 1:36

Wow.

Lilly: 1:36

They cover a pretty wide range of services, you know, from arboriculture and landscape design to things like ecology and planning.

Jad: 1:44

So they've got a lot of experience under their belt.

Lilly: 1:46

It seems like it.

Jad: 1:47

But what makes them stand out? Why should arborists in particular be paying attention to these guys?

Lilly: 1:52

I think it's their commitment to going beyond just basic consulting services. They're really invested in innovation Okay, especially when it comes to developing tech solutions that can help arborists do their jobs more effectively. Interesting to developing tech solutions that can help arborists do their jobs more effectively. For example, their company Profile highlights this one project where they took what could have been an environmental roadblock for a client and turned it into a major opportunity.

Jad: 2:14

Oh, wow.

Lilly: 2:15

That kind of creative problem solving is what I think sets them apart.

Jad: 2:19

Yeah, so it sounds like they're not just about ticking boxes and meeting regulations.

Lilly: 2:22

Right.

Jad: 2:23

They're really trying to push the boundaries of what's possible in environmental consultancy.

Lilly: 2:27

Exactly, and they're putting their money where their mouth is. They've earned the investors and people accreditation.

Jad: 2:33

Oh right.

Lilly: 2:33

Which shows that they're dedicated to developing their staff and providing like really top quality reports and advice.

Jad: 2:40

That's a good sign. So it sounds like they have the experience, the expertise and the commitment to innovation.

Lilly: 2:45

Yeah, they do.

Jad: 2:46

But let's talk about this fungi app. Okay, what exactly is it and why is it such a big deal for arborists?

Lilly: 2:51

Well as you know, identifying wood decay fungi can be a real challenge out there in the field.

Jad: 2:57

Oh, absolutely.

Lilly: 2:58

There are so many different species and they can be so hard to distinguish from each other, and they can be so hard to distinguish from each other. Tma recognized this challenge and saw an opportunity to create a tool that could help arborists make more informed decisions about tree health.

Jad: 3:12

So they developed an app specifically for identifying fungi in the UK.

Lilly: 3:15

Exactly, and it's totally free to use.

Jad: 3:18

Oh, wow.

Lilly: 3:18

Which is fantastic. You can search for fungi by tree species and even specify where it is on the tree, like crown, stem or root. It's incredibly user friendly and puts a wealth of knowledge right at your fingertips.

Jad: 3:31

That sounds incredibly useful.

Lilly: 3:32

It is.

Jad: 3:33

Did TMA say anything about why they decided to make the app free?

Lilly: 3:37

They did In an article from the Arbor Cultural Association. Tim Noya, tma's managing director, explained that they wanted to create a tool that would improve understanding of tree fungi relationships across the whole industry. They believe that making this knowledge freely available will ultimately benefit the health and well-being of trees everywhere.

Jad: 3:55

That's a pretty admirable goal, and it seems like the app has been well received. I read that it had over a thousand downloads in the first month alone.

Lilly: 4:02

Yeah, it's definitely caught the attention of the arboriculture community, and TMA is committed to constantly improving it too. They've actually asked users to send feedback and suggestions to help them expand the range of species and associations included in the app. They see it as like a collaborative effort to create the best possible resource for arborists.

Jad: 4:21

So we've established that TMA is a company with a long history of experience and a commitment to innovation, and they developed this impressive free app for identifying wood decay fungi. But let's dive a little deeper into why this app is so important for arborists. What are the real world implications of having this kind of tool available in the field?

Lilly: 4:40

Well, think about it this way as arborists, you know, we're constantly making decisions that can affect the health and safety of trees. As arborists, you know we're constantly making decisions that can affect the health and safety of trees? Yeah, and those decisions are often based on our ability to accurately identify and assess the risks posed by, you know, wood decay fungi.

Jad: 4:54

Of course, and those decisions can have some serious consequences.

Lilly: 4:57

Oh yeah.

Jad: 4:57

Like if we misidentify a fungus or underestimate its potential impact, we could end up putting people or property at risk. Exactly, we could end up putting people or property at risk. On the other hand, if we're overly cautious, we might recommend, like unnecessary removals or treatments which can be really costly and damaging to the environment. So having a tool like TMA's app, which gives us, like instant access to accurate information about wood decay fungi, could really help us make more informed and balanced decisions in the field.

Lilly: 5:22

Absolutely. It's like having a mycologist right there in your pocket. You can quickly and easily identify the fungus you're looking at, learn about its specific characteristics, its potential impact on the tree and then make a much more confident assessment of the situation.

Jad: 5:35

And that confidence is crucial.

Lilly: 5:36

Oh yeah.

Jad: 5:37

Especially when you're dealing with clients who you know might not fully understand all the complexities of tree health.

Lilly: 5:42

Exactly being able to show them a picture of the fungus, explain its significance and back up your recommendations with, you know, solid information. It can really help build try-on and make sure that everyone's on the same page.

Jad: 5:52

It also saves us a lot of time and hassle.

Lilly: 5:54

So much time.

Jad: 5:55

Instead of having to consult multiple resources or send samples off for lab analysis, we can get the information we need right then and there in the field, which means we can make quicker decisions and take more immediate action if needed.

Lilly: 6:06

For sure.

Jad: 6:07

That can be really valuable in situations where tree health is a critical concern.

Lilly: 6:11

Absolutely.

Jad: 6:12

You know, it's interesting to think about how this app might even change the way we approach tree inspections in the future.

Lilly: 6:18

Yeah.

Jad: 6:19

It could become like a standard tool that we use on every single job.

Lilly: 6:22

I think that's very likely. As the app continues to evolve and they incorporate more species and information, it's only going to become an even more valuable resource for arborists. It could even help us identify emerging threats or track the spread of invasive fungi.

Jad: 6:35

It's exciting to think about all the possibilities. Tma seems to be really committed to not just developing this app, but also to supporting the arboriculture community as a whole.

Lilly: 6:49

They are, and that's something we should all appreciate. You know they could have easily charged for this app, but they chose to make it freely available to everyone.

Jad: 6:53

Yeah.

Lilly: 6:53

That says a lot about their dedication to improving tree care practices and promoting a deeper understanding of the you know complex relationship between trees and fungi.

Jad: 7:02

Absolutely Okay. So we've talked a lot about the app and its implications for arborists, yeah, but let's shift here for a moment and talk about TMA's expertise in wood decay fungi more broadly. Okay, what kind of research and experience do they bring to the table?

Lilly: 7:13

Well. They've been studying wood decay fungi for over 30 years, working on a variety of projects across the UK and Ireland. Their team includes some of the leading experts in the field, who are not only knowledgeable about the different species of fungi, but also about their impact on tree health and the various methods for managing them.

Jad: 7:31

It makes sense they would have been able to develop such a comprehensive app without a deep understanding of the subject matter.

Lilly: 7:37

Right, and they're not just relying on their own in-house expertise either. They've also consulted with leading mycologists and arboriculturalists to ensure that the app is accurate, up-to-date and reflects the latest scientific knowledge.

Jad: 7:50

It sounds like they've gone to great lengths to create a truly authoritative resource for arborists.

Lilly: 7:55

They have, and it shows that the app is not just like a simple identification guide. It also provides information about the biology and ecology of wood decay fungi, as well as their potential impact on different tree species.

Jad: 8:08

That's a really valuable addition. It helps us to understand the bigger picture and make more informed decisions about how to manage these fungi.

Lilly: 8:15

Exactly, and it's a testament to TMA's commitment to not just providing information, but also to promoting a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between trees and fungi. They see this app as a way to educate and empower arborists, which ultimately benefits the health of our trees.

Jad: 8:31

It's clear that TMA is more than just an environmental consultancy.

Lilly: 8:34

Yeah.

Jad: 8:34

They're a company that's passionate about trees and dedicated to advancing the field of arboriculture.

Lilly: 8:40

Absolutely, and their work with wood decay fungi, particularly the development of this free app, is a prime example of that commitment.

Jad: 8:47

It's a fascinating case study of how technology can be used to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application in the field.

Lilly: 8:56

And it's a reminder that even in a traditional field like arboriculture there's always room for innovation and progress.

Jad: 9:02

Well said, we hope this deep dive has given you some food for thought and inspired you to explore new possibilities in your work.

Lilly: 9:09

Yes.

Jad: 9:10

And, of course, we encourage everyone to download the TMA Fun Guy app and experience its potential firsthand. Please, until next time. Happy tree climbing.

Roger: 9:22

Thank you for joining us on today's episode of Talking Trees. We've taken a closer look at Tim Moya Associates, a leader in arboriculture, ecology and landscape architecture, from their innovative TMA Fungi mobile app to their comprehensive suite of services. Tma is dedicated to deepening our understanding of tree-fungi relationships and enhancing environmental stewardship, to deepening our understanding of tree-fungi relationships and enhancing environmental stewardship. We hope today's insights inspire you to explore the intersection of technology, ecology and arboriculture further. Until next time, keep nurturing the green in your world. You.