News - Pioneer Arborist Neville Fay Dies at 78

Neville Fay, a visionary in environmental restoration and arboriculture, has passed away at the age of 78. His legacy is marked by his foundational work in tree conservation and soil sustainability. Born in Durban, South Africa, Fay's early life was shaped by his family's Jewish heritage and their opposition to apartheid, prompting their move to Liverpool, UK in 1956. He attended Merchant Taylors’ School before pursuing sociology at Aberdeen University, where he first embraced communal living and social activism. In the 1970s, driven by the devastation of the Dutch elm disease, Fay began his journey into arboriculture with nothing more than a Transit van and a chainsaw. This endeavor evolved into Treework Services, a cooperative business that thrived in multiple areas including tree surgery, timbers, and landscaping by 1982. In response to the Ethiopian famine images that stirred global concern in 1985, Fay felt compelled to develop a sustainable solution beyond emergency food aid. By 1986, in a Somerset pub gathering, he laid the foundation for Tree Aid, a charity aimed at supporting community-driven reforestation projects in Africa’s Sahel region. Since its inception, nearly 50 million trees have been planted under its mission. Fay’s influence extended beyond charitable work. He spearheaded significant advances in arboricultural practices. His extensive research on ancient woodlands in the UK and Europe laid the groundwork for key publications on veteran trees, establishing guidelines for tree risk management and conservation. Joining forces with his children in his professional pursuits, his family’s commitment to arboriculture continued through Treework Environmental Practice and other initiatives. His daughter Ellen co-founded the Sustainable Soils Alliance with him in 2017, further contributing to his enduring environmental impact. Throughout his life, Fay won numerous accolades including the Arboricultural Association’s award for his contributions to the field. As an active Fellow of prestigious societies such as the Royal Geographical Society and the Linnean Society, his passion for conservation never waned. Even in personal life, he was devoted to caring for his wife Kate during her long illness while continuing his work until his passing. Neville Fay is survived by Kate, his four children–Luke, Ellen, Gabriel, and Rachael–and six grandchildren. His legacy lives on through the continued work of his family and the thriving initiatives he helped to establish.