TMA - Fungi Determination App

In this Thursday episode of Talking Trees, we spotlight a practical digital tool developed by Tim Moya Associates (TMA)—a free mobile app designed to help arborists and tree managers identify wood-decay fungi on trees in the UK.

We discuss:

• How the app simplifies fungi identification through intuitive menus, photos, and information on decay type, host species, and ecological role
• Its value for field-based arborists, consultants, and students seeking fast, reliable fungal data
• TMA’s broader work in arboriculture, ecology, and land management, and how this app reflects their commitment to practical, accessible tools
• The role of fungi identification in tree risk assessment, conservation, and long-term management planning
• How apps like this enhance knowledge-sharing and diagnostic confidence, especially for early-career professionals or those without specialist mycological training

This episode highlights the growing power of digital tools in arboriculture, bridging expertise with everyday decision-making in the field.

Background information:

• This text describes a free mobile app developed by Tim Moya Associates (TMA) designed to help people in the UK identify wood-decay fungi on trees. 
• TMA | Environmental Consultants | Planning | Land management
• Tim Moya Associates profile

Transcript

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Introducing Tim Moya Associates

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

TMA's Innovative Fungi Identification App

Lilly 1:35

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

Real-World Impact for Arborists

Jad 4:02

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

TMA's Expertise and Community Commitment

Jad 7:13

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 .

Future of Arboriculture Technology

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 .