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Trees in a Pod
Trees in a Pod – The Tree Law Podcast
Hosted by Sarah Dodd, founder and CEO of Tree Law, Trees in a Pod explores the complex, fascinating world where trees and the law collide. From high-profile trials like the Sycamore Gap case to the everyday legal battles around roots, branches, boundaries and planning disputes, Sarah brings clarity, curiosity and expertise to each episode.
With over two decades of legal experience and a deep commitment to environmental justice, Sarah unpacks real cases, interviews key voices in the sector, and explains how the law can both protect and challenge the natural world around us.
Whether you’re a tree officer, solicitor, insurer, landowner, or just someone who cares about trees, this podcast will help you see our legal landscape – and our landscapes – in a whole new light.
Trees in a Pod
05 - Lantra’s Lifework: From Chainsaw Certs to Championing Inclusion
In this episode of Trees in a Pod, I’m joined by Mandy Keech and Clegg Gifford from Lantra - the organisation behind many of the UK’s land-based training standards. We talk about what it really means to be “competent” in arboriculture, why training isn't just a box-ticking exercise, and how Lantra is working to create more inclusive, accessible pathways into the tree industry.
Mandy shares her experience in curriculum development and the importance of supporting learners from all walks of life, while Clegg reflects on how vital it is to balance skills, safety and sustainability in fast-changing landscapes.
If you've ever wondered who decides what “qualified” looks like in our sector - or how we make space for the next generation of tree professionals - this conversation is for you.
🎧 Plus: why a chainsaw ticket is more than just a card, how mental health fits into competency frameworks, and what Lantra’s vision is for the future of environmental training.
🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can leave me a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/treelaw – your questions or reflections might even feature in a future episode.
🎧 Huge thanks to Mike at Making Digital Real for producing and editing this episode to such a high standard.
