Urban Forestry is frequently considered as a key aspect of green infrastructure in urban areas. Indeed in temperate regions tree canopy and surface water are very often the connective tissue that connects all green open areas together. Recently interest has been rising in the role, of urban forests beyond there commonly associated services such as space for nature, recreational space and aesthetic quality. This has been driven by concern over the pace of global change notably in relation to climate and urbanisation. CLEARING HOUSE is a new EU R&I funded project with further contributions from Chinese partners. The project is investigating the role of Urban Forests and a nature based solution (UF-NBS). This presentation includes an introduction to the new project, personal reflections, and the making of a thread linking urban forestry to planning and policy.