SERVICES
Arboricultural Consultancy
Professional Arboricultural Consultancy Services
Expert tree inspections, surveys and practical advice for homeowners, landowners, estates, developers and commercial organisations.
Trees can be valuable assets, but understanding their condition, managing potential risks and planning responsibly around them often requires specialist knowledge. Arb-Solute provides professional arboricultural consultancy services throughout Hampshire and across the South.
Our qualified and experienced team assesses trees, identifies potential concerns and provides clear, practical recommendations to help you make informed decisions.
Whether you are concerned about the condition of a single mature tree, responsible for managing hundreds of trees across an estate or planning a development close to existing trees, we can provide the professional advice and supporting information you require.
Tree Condition Surveys and Reports
Regular inspections are crucial for trees situated in or near heavily frequented areas to guarantee their health and safety. Our team conducts comprehensive tree condition reports to minimise potential risks to individuals and property.
By promptly identifying concerns, we can provide suitable recommendations for timely remedial action. This proactive approach ensures issues are resolved promptly and maintains a secure environment for everyone.
Factors we consider:
Depending on the requirements of the assessment, we may consider factors including:
- Tree species and approximate age
- Overall health and vitality
- The condition of the trunk and main branches
- Visible defects or structural weaknesses
- Dead, damaged or declining branches
- Signs of disease, decay or fungal activity
- Previous pruning or damage
- The tree’s location and surrounding land use
- Potential targets including buildings, roads and frequently used areas
- Appropriate management recommendations
Following the assessment, we can provide a clear written report setting out our observations and recommendations.
These may include remedial tree work, further specialist investigation, ongoing monitoring or no immediate action where intervention is not considered necessary.
Our aim is to provide balanced, practical advice rather than recommend unnecessary work.
Tree Preservation Order Advice and Applications
Some trees are legally protected because of their contribution to the character and appearance of an area.
A tree may be protected by a Tree Preservation Order, commonly known as a TPO, or may be located within a conservation area.
Where protection applies, consent or formal notification may be required before pruning, removing or carrying out other work to the tree.
Arb-Solute can help establish the status of a tree, assess the work being considered and advise on an appropriate arboricultural specification. Where an application or notification is required, we can provide professional support through the process.
Our service may include:
- Reviewing the tree and proposed work
- Assessing whether the requested work is arboriculturally appropriate
- Developing a clear tree work specification
- Explaining the reasons for the proposed work
- Supporting a Tree Preservation Order application
- Preparing information to support a conservation area notification
- Responding to requests for additional arboricultural information
- Providing advice following a local authority decision
- The quality and clarity of the proposed tree work can be important.
Descriptions such as “cut the tree back” or “reduce as much as possible” may not provide sufficient detail and can result in uncertainty about what work is being requested.
We aim to provide a clear and professionally justified specification that considers your objectives alongside the condition, appearance and long-term management of the tree.
Local authority approval cannot be guaranteed, but informed arboricultural advice can help ensure that the application accurately explains the proposed work and the reasons it should be considered.
Arboricultural Site Surveys
Managing trees across a larger property can be difficult without an accurate record of what is present and what work may be required.
An arboricultural site survey provides structured information about the trees across a site and can form the foundation of a more effective long-term management programme.
Our team can assess and record relevant information about individual trees, groups of trees and other significant vegetation.
Information may include:
Depending on the purpose and scope of the survey, information may include:
- Tree reference numbers
- Tree locations
- Species
- Approximate dimensions
- Age classifications
- General condition
- Visible defects or concerns
- Recommended tree work
- Priority levels
- Suggested inspection or management timescales
The information can be presented in a clear schedule or table, supported by mapping where this forms part of the agreed survey requirements.
This provides a practical reference document that can help landowners and site managers understand their tree population, prioritise work and plan future expenditure.
Long-Term Tree Management Plans
Managing a large tree population can feel overwhelming when work is approached one issue at a time.
A long-term tree management plan provides a structured framework for maintaining trees over an agreed period.
Rather than waiting for problems to become urgent, the plan can identify priorities, establish appropriate timescales and allow work to be incorporated into future budgets.
A management plan may include:
- An overview of the existing tree population
- Recommended tree work
- Priorities based on condition and location
- Suggested timescales
- Future inspections
- Trees requiring ongoing monitoring
- Planned pruning and crown management
- Phased removal where appropriate
- Replacement planting recommendations
- Long-term landscape considerations
- The level of detail will depend on the size, complexity and intended use of the site.
- Management plans can be particularly valuable for:
- Country estates
- Commercial parks
- Hotels and hospitality venues
- Schools and educational sites
- Residential developments
- Historic properties
- Visitor attractions
- Industrial estates
- Managed landscapes
- Large private properties
A proactive approach may help identify concerns earlier, reduce unexpected expenditure and protect the long-term environmental and visual value of the site.
BS5837 Tree Surveys for Planning and Development
Trees can have a significant influence on the design and delivery of a development. Their location, condition, quality and future growth may affect where buildings, access routes, services and other infrastructure can be positioned.
Considering trees late in the planning process may result in avoidable redesigns, delays or conflicts between the proposed development and trees that are suitable for retention.
A BS5837 tree survey provides information to help the design and planning process consider existing trees from an early stage.
Arb-Solute provides arboricultural surveys, reports and assessments for developments involving trees on or close to the site.
Our services can support projects including:
- Residential developments
- Commercial developments
- New homes
- Property extensions
- Building alterations
- Access roads and driveways
- Site redevelopment
- Changes to existing commercial properties
- Landscaping and infrastructure projects
The appropriate level of arboricultural information will depend on the scale and complexity of the proposed development and the requirements of the local planning authority.
Why Involve an Arboricultural Consultant Early?
Trees should be considered during the early stages of a development rather than after the layout and design have already been finalised.
Early input can help with:
Early arboricultural input can help the project team understand:
- Which trees are present
- The condition and quality of those trees
- Which trees may be suitable for retention
- The space required for existing trees
- Potential conflicts with buildings and infrastructure
- How retained trees may influence the design
- Where further arboricultural information may be required
Considering these factors earlier can help architects, developers and property owners create designs that respond appropriately to the existing site.
It can also reduce the likelihood of avoidable changes being required later in the planning process.
Our objective is not simply to prevent development near trees.
We aim to provide practical advice that helps balance the requirements of the proposed project with the appropriate retention, protection and long-term management of existing trees.
BS5837 Tree Survey and Schedule
The initial tree survey records relevant information about trees located within or close to the proposed development site.
This may include:
Depending on the project requirements, this may include:
- Tree species
- Approximate dimensions
- Age classification
- General physiological condition
- Structural condition
- Estimated remaining contribution
- Tree quality and value
- Management recommendations
- The information is recorded within a tree schedule and can be supported by a tree constraints plan.
This helps the design team understand the existing tree population and identify the opportunities and constraints associated with retaining trees as part of the development.
Trees are considered individually or as groups where appropriate.
The survey provides professional arboricultural information to support the design process but does not determine the final layout of the development.
Arboricultural Impact Assessments
Once a proposed design has been developed, an Arboricultural Impact Assessment considers how the project may affect existing trees.
The assessment may consider:
The assessment may consider potential impacts associated with:
- Building locations
- Demolition
- New roads and access routes
- Driveways and parking areas
- Changes to ground levels
- Excavation
- Underground and overhead services
- Construction access
- Site compounds and material storage
- Landscaping proposals
The assessment identifies where trees may be affected and considers whether those impacts can be avoided, reduced or appropriately managed.
Where tree removal is proposed, the implications can be considered alongside the quality and condition of the affected trees and the wider objectives of the development.
The resulting information can help the project team and local planning authority understand how trees have been considered within the proposed design.
Protecting Trees During Development
Retaining a tree on a proposed site plan does not automatically protect it from construction-related damage.
Tree roots can extend well beyond the visible canopy and may be affected by excavation, ground compaction, changes in soil level, storage of materials and the movement of heavy machinery.
Damage may not become visible immediately and can affect the health, stability and long-term future of a tree.
Appropriate planning should therefore consider how retained trees will be protected throughout demolition and construction.
This may involve:
Depending on the project and planning requirements, this may involve consideration of:
- Root protection areas
- Protective barriers
- Construction exclusion zones
- Site access
- Storage areas
- Ground protection
- Excavation close to trees
- Installation of services
- Changes to existing ground levels
- Working methods within sensitive areas
Our arboricultural advice can help identify potential conflicts and support practical measures intended to reduce avoidable damage to retained trees.
Consultancy for Property Developers and Architects
Successful development requires input from a range of professional disciplines.
Arboricultural information is most valuable when it is integrated with the work of architects, planning consultants, engineers, landscape designers and other members of the project team.
Arb-Solute provides practical arboricultural support throughout the relevant stages of a project.
We aim to communicate technical information clearly and provide recommendations that can be understood and applied by the wider design and construction team.n.
Our services may support:
- Early feasibility discussions
- Site appraisal
- Initial design development
- Planning applications
- Design revisions
- Responses to arboricultural planning queries
- Pre-construction planning
- Management of retained trees
- Practical tree work associated with the development
Where tree surgery or site clearance is required following the consultancy process, Arb-Solute can also provide the qualified teams and specialist equipment required to complete the work.
Consultancy for Homeowners and Landowners
Arboricultural consultancy is not limited to major developments and commercial estates.
Homeowners and private landowners may require professional advice for many different reasons.
You may be:
- Concerned about the condition of a mature tree
- Planning an extension close to existing trees
- Purchasing a property with significant trees
- Managing a large garden or private estate
- Considering work to a protected tree
- Experiencing problems involving neighbouring trees
- Looking for a long-term management strategy
- Unsure whether tree work is required
Our advice is tailored to the property and the questions you need answered.
We explain our findings clearly and avoid unnecessary technical language wherever possible.
The objective is to provide the information you require to make a confident and informed decision.
Practical Advice from Experienced Arboricultural Professionals
Professional consultancy requires technical knowledge, but practical experience is equally important.
Our team understands trees from both a consultancy and tree surgery perspective.
We regularly work directly on trees and understand how recommendations translate into practical operations on site.
This allows us to consider factors including:
- The likely effectiveness of proposed tree work
- How a tree may respond to pruning
- Practical access requirements
- The equipment required
- The surrounding property and landscape
- How work can be completed safely
- The future management implications
Our recommendations are designed to be technically informed, proportionate and achievable.
Where practical tree work is required, our consultancy and operational teams can work together to provide a joined-up service from the initial assessment through to completion.
Qualified and Professionally Accredited
The quality of arboricultural advice depends on the knowledge and experience of the people providing it. Jon and Josh bring more than 30 years of combined experience within arboriculture.
Josh holds a Level 4 qualification in arboriculture, a Level 3 qualification in countryside management and a professional tree inspection qualification.
Our wider team is qualified to Level 3 or above and combines formal arboricultural education with extensive practical experience.
Arb-Solute is also an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor and holds professional accreditations including:
- SMAS
- CQMS
- TrustMark
- Safety Schemes in Procurement — SSIP
For additional reassurance, Arb-Solute maintains:
£10m
public liability insurance
£10m
employers’ liability insurance
£1m
professional indemnity insurance
This combination of professional knowledge, practical experience and appropriate insurance allows us to support domestic, commercial and development-related projects.
A Clear and Straightforward Consultancy Process
Initial Discussion
Tell us about the property, trees, project or concerns you would like us to assess. Where available, we may ask for relevant plans, photographs, previous reports or planning information.
Defining the Scope
We will establish the purpose of the assessment and explain the information or level of reporting we believe is appropriate.
Site Assessment
Our arboricultural team will inspect the relevant trees and record the information required for the agreed service.
Analysis and Recommendations
We will consider the findings and develop clear, proportionate recommendations based on the trees, their surroundings and the purpose of the assessment.
Report or Supporting Information
Where a written report is required, we will provide the agreed documentation in a clear and practical format.
Ongoing Support
Where appropriate, we can provide further arboricultural advice, support ongoing tree management or complete practical tree work arising from the recommendations.
Arboricultural Consultants Covering Hampshire and the South
Based near Winchester, Arb-Solute provides arboricultural consultancy services throughout Hampshire and across the South.
Our service area includes:
- Winchester
- Southampton
- Romsey
- The Test Valley
- The New Forest
- Bournemouth
- Wiltshire
- Surrey
- Sussex
- The A3 corridor
- Richmond
- Kew
- Wimbledon
- South West London
For larger estates, development projects and commercial consultancy requirements, our team can travel throughout the wider South of England.
Discuss Your Arboricultural Consultancy Requirements
Whether you require a professional tree inspection, advice regarding a protected tree, a survey for a development or a long-term management plan, our experienced team is here to help.