I have the privilege, but sad task, of saying that our profession has lost our valued member, Jonathan, who died recently.
He successfully overcame cancer over a period of three years but then succumbed to further illness. He bore this protracted ordeal with typical fortitude and relentless humour. He was never morose about his illness even though it was a severe challenge.
Jonathan was born in 1957 and studied forestry at the University College of North Wales, graduating in 1980. His first job was with the London Borough of Ealing’s arboricultural team. He then worked in the Brecks in Thetford Forest for a short while before going to Northampton in 1982 as tree officer for Northampton Borough Council. In 1985 he moved to the Milton Keynes Development Corporation as its landscape/forestry programmer and after the corporation was wound up, he transferred to the Parks Trust.
He excelled at this role and was responsible for introducing enhanced practices and wider awareness of the value of ‘the outdoors’. This was an entirely logical progression from his appreciation of the countryside which grew from his membership of the Scout Movement.
In 1996 he became the first Technical Director of the Association, when Robert Kennedy was the Chair. Jonathan was passionate about the Association and after he left the staff role became a Trustee, serving two consecutive terms as Chair from 2003 to 2005.
In 2000 he became director of arboriculture for Glendale and then joined Parkwood Consultancy Services as head of arboriculture before setting up as an independent consultant in 2011. As part of his practice he carried out two overseas trips in 2014 and 2015 for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Jonathan continued working for as long as he could, and on one occasion when I asked him how he coped with the discomfort of his illness when at times he was having difficulty even walking, with his typical nonchalance he replied with the retort, ‘Why not?’
His successful and influential professional life is one thing, but what of the man?
From an early age he preferred to be outdoors and his parents nurtured this, which led him to become a Scout. He remained a passionate Scout and urged young people to look up and take notice rather than stare at their phones. A loyal, if frustrated, supporter of Northampton Saints Rugby Club, he was rewarded by their reaching the top of the Premier League in 2014. The enthusiasm and diligence with which he enjoyed all these activities and team efforts underpinned his approach to everything. He was absorbed by the range of knowledge he developed but had an over-arching sense of having good fun. In a reflective moment he told me that this early life experience was why he adopted trees as a career.
I got to know Jonathan when we were both Trustees of the Association. His predilection for humour struck a chord and we became friends from then on. His whimsical side often belied his informed professionalism and abilities. He was, and is, a significant figure in our profession.
He is survived by his wife Judith, who tells me that they first met on a blind date in 1984 and he proposed (successfully!) 12 days later. They had 39 years of marriage with two sons, who as adults are successful in the teaching profession and with the same inherited sense of fun – although with Jonathan as Dad they had no choice!
On behalf of the Arboricultural Association, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Judith, Simon and Will. Our profession was the better for Jonathan and his sad loss is lamented by many.
Jim Quaife
This article was taken from Issue 210 Autumn 2025 of the ARB Magazine, which is available to view free to members by simply logging in to the website and viewing your profile area.