Executive Profile
Russell Clark is an AQF Level 3 qualified Arborist, Tree Transplant Specialist, and Director of Ace of Spades Tree Relocators, with over 25 years of experience in arboriculture, mature tree relocation, and ecological salvage.
Russell commenced his career in arboriculture in January 1997 as an Arborist Trainee with Arbor Life Tree Services, where he worked until 1998. In 1999, he joined the Toowoomba City Council Parks and Recreation Department, progressing to the position of Senior Tree Surgeon. During his time with Council, Russell completed his Certificate III in Horticulture (Arboriculture Stream), further developing his technical knowledge and practical expertise in professional tree management.
As a Senior Tree Surgeon, Russell developed extensive expertise in tree relocation, tree risk assessment, formative pruning, root management, veteran tree preservation and tree hazard mitigation, as well as stakeholder engagement. He also played a key role in restructuring the region's tree-pruning programs and public tree-planting initiatives, contributing to the management and preservation of Toowoomba's established urban tree population.
In late 2005, Russell founded Ace of Spades Tree Relocators, establishing one of Australia's leading specialist tree transplant and translocation company. Over the past two decades, he has become widely recognised as an industry leader in the relocation of mature, significant trees including rare and endangered plant species. With particular expertise in Queensland Bottle Trees, Canary Island Date Palms, Grass Trees, Cycads, Hoop Pines, Ficus species, and other iconic landscape specimens. His specialist knowledge extends to mechanical tree spading, root system management, transplant physiology, ecological salvage, and after care post-transplant.
Under Russell's leadership, Ace of Spades Tree Relocators has earned an industry-leading reputation for delivering complex tree relocation and environmental management projects throughout Australia. The company is regularly engaged by Tier 1 civil contractors, mining and energy companies, government departments, local authorities, developers, landscape architects, and environmental consultants to undertake high-risk ecological salvage operations, heritage tree preservation, infrastructure projects, and landmark mature tree relocations.
Russell is recognised not only for his technical expertise but also for his commitment to preserving significant trees wherever possible. His philosophy is that all trees are valuable environmental and cultural assets that should be relocated rather than removed whenever practical. Through his work, he has successfully saved and transplanted thousands of significant trees and plants, combining practical experience with a deep understanding of arboricultural and horticultural science to achieve exceptional long-term survival rates.
Today, Russell continues to provide specialist consultancy services, arboricultural assessments, transplant feasibility studies, expert translocation advice, project management, and practical training in mature tree relocation techniques. His vision is to advance the practice of tree translocation both within Australia and internationally by sharing knowledge, mentoring arborists, and promoting sustainable tree preservation practices.
