Tree Law grows national operations with £50,000 investment from the Development Bank of Wales
Tree Law grows national operations with £50,000 investment from the Development Bank of Wales
Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.
A specialist South Wales legal firm advising clients on all aspects of tree-related law has expanded its operations after securing a £50,000 micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales.
Based in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Tree Law provides legal advice to private clients, housing associations, developers, insurance providers, and local authorities across the UK.
The firm specialises exclusively in matters relating to trees — including environmental regulation, invasive species, and Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) — making it the only legal practice in the UK dedicated solely to this niche area.
The funding, provided through the Wales Flexible Investment Fund, has enabled Tree Law to take on three new members of staff, including two full-time and one part-time roles, strengthening the firm’s capacity to meet growing demand.
Tree Law was founded in 2021 by Sarah Dodd, who launched the business after identifying a gap in the market while working for larger firms. Her vision was to build a practice offering specialist, practical legal support focused entirely on the complex and evolving area of tree law.
Sarah said: “More and more people are aware of just how much of an asset trees are, and there’s increased awareness around how they need to be dealt with in terms of liability, regulation and protection. We’ve seen increased demand for the kind of advice we provide, whether for individual clients or larger companies.”
She added: “The last year has been a re-calibration for us, as we’ve looked ahead to the next level of our growth. We’ve always been busy since we started, but we needed to invest in order to grow.
“Previously, it’s felt like I’ve always had to look for lower-cost routes to growth – now, with the confidence that the micro loan has given us, it’s felt more like I’ve been able to go shopping for what our business needs.”
Chris Stork, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said the firm’s growth reflects both rising environmental awareness and the value of niche expertise within the legal sector.
He said: “Tree Law offer guidance in a highly specialised field, which is seeing increased demand as regulatory regimes change and environmental awareness grows.
“The support we at the Development Bank of Wales have provided has allowed them to take the next natural steps on their business journey by growing their team, meaning they can provide advice to a wider range of clients and plan for their future.”
As a public finance institution owned by the Welsh Government, the Development Bank of Wales provides loans and equity investments for Welsh businesses and communities. Its mission supports key government priorities such as the transition to a low-carbon economy, new homebuilding, and commercial development.
Since its launch in 2017, the bank has invested £959 million in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and property developers. It now manages £2 billion in funds and supports a portfolio of more than 3,600 small business customers.
In 2024/25, the Development Bank provided £152 million in debt and equity funding, helping 502 businesses to create and safeguard 6,185 jobs across Wales.
Want more from Businessin Wales? Why not follow us on our socials
Listen to the Businessin Wales podcast
