Meet the Team

Blake Tree Care is a team of skilled and reliable tree surgeons with years of experience in the trade. We treat every project with care, consistency, and pride because our team is like family.

George Blake

Founder

George Blake founded Blake Tree Care in 2017, turning a lifelong passion for arboriculture into one of the region’s most trusted tree surgery businesses.

Growing up in Mount Bures, Essex, George developed an interest in tree care from an early age before studying Arboriculture at Otley College. After qualifying, he began his career as a Tree Surgeon in 2008, gaining extensive hands-on experience before establishing Blake Tree Care.

Since then, the business has grown into a highly skilled team of 12 professionals, including Tree Surgeons, Climbers, Machine Operators and Health & Safety specialists. Under George’s leadership, the company has built a reputation for delivering safe, professional and environmentally responsible tree care across Essex and Suffolk.

Committed to continuous professional development, George recently achieved the Professional Tree Inspection (PTI) qualification, further strengthening the company’s expertise in tree safety, management and long-term care.

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Perry

Operations Director

  • Perry Rayner, a valued member of the Blake Tree Care team for four years, brings a wealth of experience with 17 years in the arboricultural industry. Beyond his expertise, Perry's passion extends to his love for nature and trees. Outside of work, he enjoys leisurely walks with his dog and weekends away with his wife, Robyn. Perry's deep appreciation for the beauty of trees and the natural world reflects his commitment to the mission of Blaketree Care.

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Keagan

Arborist / Machine Operator

  • Keagan Whelan, an integral part of the Blake Tree Care team for five years, specialises in using larger equipment for forestry and the meticulous process of cricket bat willow felling. Since joining in 2019, he has proven to be a valuable asset, demonstrating the expertise needed to overcome daily challenges in the field. Keagan's unique skill set is complemented by his academic background, holding a degree in Business. Outside of work, he embraces his adventurous side, spending weekends in the Lake District and conquering mountains through his love for climbing. Conquering mountains inside and outside of work.

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Joey

Team Leader

  • Joey Tallis-Dent joined Blake Tree Care towards the end of 2023 and made an immediate impression. One of his first jobs involved reducing a large London plane tree, where his speed, efficiency, and confidence in the canopy were quickly noticed.

    Joey’s reliability is second to none. New starters consistently comment on how helpful he is, always willing to lend a hand and support the team on site. Over the past two years, Joey’s climbing ability has developed massively, and he has grown into a dependable and capable climber across a wide range of work.

    The next stage of Joey’s career path is focused on leadership and site management, building on his strong work ethic and natural team-first attitude. We are very excited to support Joey’s continued development and future with Blake Tree Care.

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Alex

Willow Tree Faller Specialist

  • Alex has been working in arboriculture since his early teens and brings over 20 years of practical experience to the Blake Tree Care team.

    Starting out at just 12 to 13 years old, Alex learned his trade the traditional way, on the tools and in all conditions, gaining real world knowledge that only comes from years in the field. In his early career, he worked closely with Richard Fordham, spending many years refining his skills while travelling across the country felling cricket bat willow and working on some of the UK’s most beautiful estates.

    Today, Alex is a highly skilled cricket bat willow faller, carrying out specialist work for JS Wright & Sons, the world’s largest cricket bat manufacturer. His experience, precision and respect for the material make him a trusted operator in this specialist area of arboriculture.

    Outside of work, Alex enjoys the simple things, early morning sunrises, time in the countryside, and walking his dog, Twix, before the day gets going.

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Frank

Arboricultural Operative

  • Frank joined Blake Tree Care in September 2024 and has quickly established himself as an integral member of the team.

    Although one of our youngest team members, Frank has shown exceptional enthusiasm, maturity and a willingness to learn. Throughout 2025, he received training and gained practical experience operating a wide range of machinery and equipment, including 3-tonne, 8-tonne and 14-tonne excavators, tractors with timber trailers, tractor-mounted winches, telehandlers with timber grabs, and chainsaws.

    Frank’s positive attitude, reliability and versatility have made him someone the team can depend on. Whether working on domestic tree work, commercial contracts or forestry projects, he’s always willing to get stuck in and contribute wherever he’s needed.

    His rapid development and strong work ethic have earned the respect of the whole team, and despite his age, he’s already become a trusted member of many of our site crews.

    We’re incredibly proud of the progress Frank has made since joining Blake Tree Care and are excited to see where his career takes him. We have no doubt he has a bright future in the arboricultural industry.

    George and Craig go back over 15 years, having trained and completed their climbing courses together at Suffolk Tree Services. That shared background underpins a strong working relationship built on trust, professionalism, and hands on industry knowledge.

    While Craig now undertakes limited climbing within the domestic side of the business, he is fully immersed in our willow harvesting and cricket bat willow operations. Throughout the winter months, Craig plays a central role in harvesting mature cricket bat willow and managing production within the nursery, including the harvesting of willow sets and young trees ready for planting across sites nationwide.

    Craig’s experience, reliability, and positive outlook make him a key part of Blake Tree Care’s specialist forestry and willow operations, and we are glad to have him as part of Blake Tree Care’s ongoing journey.

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James

Senior Climber

  • This is James. James is our Senior Climber and trusted Second-in-Command on site — the steady hand in the canopy when precision and control matter most.

    James began his career in arboriculture in 2008 at just 18 years old, starting out with Suffolk Tree Services. From day one, he knew outdoor life suited him far better than an office — and nearly two decades later, that passion hasn’t changed.

    He also gained valuable experience working alongside Drew Coulston in the heart of Suffolk, covering Hadleigh and the surrounding areas. Those early years shaped his strong work ethic, climbing ability, and love for the craft.

    James thrives on challenge. Being high up in the canopy, focused and in control, is where he’s happiest. He enjoys the variety that tree work brings — no two days are ever the same, and we’re privileged to work in some of the most beautiful gardens across Essex and Suffolk.

    When he’s not felling or dismantling trees, you’ll likely find him beside the river fishing — always on the lookout for a big pike.

    James is a hugely valued member of the Blake Tree Care team, and we’re genuinely excited to see him continue to grow and develop in this next chapter with the company.

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Wayne Blake

Yard & Transport

  • Wayne helps look after the yard and supports the team by keeping vehicles, machinery and equipment in good working order. From small repairs to general maintenance, he helps make sure everything is ready for the working day ahead.

    He also drives the Blake Tree Care artic when needed, transporting plant and equipment to and from sites. With many years of practical experience, Wayne enjoys being hands-on and helping wherever he can.

    Outside of work, Wayne has a real interest in classic lorries and enjoys spending time with his vintage Volvo F10, known as Aggy.

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Tracey Kempson Blake

Administration

  • Tracey has been part of the business from the very beginning, originally helping out part-time with spreadsheets, handwritten quotes and general office tasks. Over the years her role has grown, and she now works full-time supporting the day-to-day administration of the company.

    She helps keep the paperwork, records and organisation in place behind the scenes so that the team can focus on their work on site. From quotes and documents to the many bits of administration that come with running a business, Tracey quietly keeps things moving in the background.

    As a family business, Tracey has always been closely involved and continues to support the team in whatever way is needed.

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Jessica

Arborist / Machine Operator

  • Jessica, one of the newest members of the Blake Tree Care team, returned to the UK after spending time in Australia, where she developed a passion for heavy machine operating. Building on that experience, she transitioned into tree work, pursuing an interest in tree surgery that had always appealed to her. Since joining, Jessica has quickly proved herself as a hardworking and enthusiastic part of the team, bringing fresh energy and determination to every job. Beyond work, she enjoys immersing herself in nature, travelling to experience different cultures and foods, and spending time with dogs, which she has always loved.