About

Living Tree is an ecological and arboricultural practice founded in 2011. Delivering biodiversity‑driven, evidence‑led outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand.

We work where ecological complexity, safety, and real‑world constraints intersect, supporting conservation, ecosystem ecology, research, and development projects with practical expertise. Living Tree operated under the BioSense operational umbrella from 2019 to early 2026, contributing specialist field capability to a wide range of ecological and biosecurity programmes.

The founder

Fredrik Hjelm

Fredrik Hjelm is a Swedish‑born arborist, conservationist, and researcher who fell in love with Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environment and founded Living Tree to support healthier forests and ecosystems.

His work spans forest and ecosystem ecology, canopy research, wildlife monitoring, and biosecurity, with a strong focus on practical field delivery. Fredrik brings more than a decade of hands‑on, field‑based experience, often working in remote, sensitive, or high‑risk environments across Aotearoa and Europe.

Fredrik believes that lasting conservation success comes from shared goals and collaboration, particularly in ecosystem management and restoration. He works closely with mana whenua, DoC, research institutions, councils, and project teams, ensuring cultural safety, animal welfare, and health and safety are embedded throughout every project – from planning through to delivery.

Contact

Find out more about Fredrik via LinkedIn

What drives us

Our values

Biodiversity Before Development

We prioritise ecological integrity and species protection, ensuring biodiversity outcomes and community values are considered before development pressures.

Living Systems Thinking

Trees, forests, and landscapes are managed as living systems, shaped by ecology, history, and people.

Evidence-Led Decisions

Our work is guided by robust field data, recognised methods, and direct observation, supporting clear, defensible outcomes.

Skill, Safety & Responsibility

We operate in complex and high‑risk environments with a strong emphasis on technical competence, health and safety, and animal welfare.

Respect for People & Place

We work collaboratively with mana whenua, landowners, scientists, and project teams, embedding cultural safety and local knowledge into every project.

Practical Conservation

We focus on solutions that work in the real world – integrating conservation outcomes into arboriculture, land management, and project delivery.

Qualifications & accreditations

Trusted by councils, Crown agencies & landowners.

Our qualifications and accreditations reflect a genuine commitment to professional excellence, safety, and environmental care for our clients, communities, and the ecosystems we work in.

  • NZQA Advanced Certificate in Arboriculture

    Recognised national qualification demonstrating advanced technical arboricultural competence

  • VALID Tree Risk Assessment Provider

    Certified to undertake defensible tree risk assessments for public, commercial, and sensitive sites

  • DOC Certified Competent Bat Handler

    Competencies: handling, banding, high-risk activities, trapping & transmitters

  • Certified Conservation Dog Team

    Hawke – DOC certified and validated conservation dog

  • Tiakina Kauri (MPI) Approved Certifier

    Approved to deliver kauri dieback surveillance, sampling, and hygiene protocols training and certifications

  • Robust Health & Safety systems

    Meeting council and government standards

  • Public Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance in place

Organisations we've worked with

Auckland Council

Local government

Dept. of Conservation

Crown agency

MPI

Ministry for Primary Industries

Scion Research

Crown Research Institute

University of Auckland

Research partnerships

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei

Iwi partnership

Working on something, or just thinking things through?

We’re always happy to talk about projects, ideas, and environmental questions.

Contact