★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews on Trustindex
Independent arboricultural consultancyArboricultural expertise for complex projects.
Arbor Cultural Ltd is an independent arboricultural consultancy supporting planning, development, property, tree safety, specialist diagnostics and legal matters across London and the South East. The firm combines senior arboricultural judgement with dedicated operations, formal health-and-safety systems, professional affiliations, expert-witness capability and broad regional coverage.
20+ years' experience1,000+ projectsIndependent adviceTwo physical offices
Company at a glance
117Verified reviews
390+Named locations
2Physical offices
9Main regions covered
Professional depthA structured consultancy, not just a single survey service.
Planning, diagnostics, property, safety and expert evidence supported by a visible team, established systems and broad South East coverage.
20+Years' experience
1,000+Projects
117Trustindex reviews
390+Named locations
2Physical offices
The consultancy
A consultancy built for complex instructions.
Arbor Cultural is structured to support technically demanding instructions from first enquiry through survey, analysis, reporting and, where required, construction-stage support or specialist evidence.
The aim is not simply to produce a document. It is to give clients a clear, defensible arboricultural route through planning, property, safety or legal decisions.
Meet The Team
People behind the professional advice.
Each role supports a different part of the client experience: senior arboricultural judgement, project administration and operational control, and formal health-and-safety governance.
Founder · Managing DirectorManaging Director · Principal consultant
Tom Thompson
Master's degree in ForestryBSc in ArboricultureBond Solon qualified expert witnessProfessional arboricultural memberships
Founder of Arbor Cultural Ltd, Tom manages the daily business operations. With a Master’s degree in Forestry and a BSc in Arboriculture, Tom focuses on the complex intersection where trees, property, and urban development must co-exist.
Prior to founding the firm, Tom gained extensive experience in public sector arboriculture as a tree officer for two local authorities, as well as roles in woodland creation and organic waste management.
Expert Witness & Planning
As a Bond Solon qualified expert witness, Tom handles civil and criminal cases—from tree decay and structural damage to complex planning disputes.
Operations Manager
Raffy David
Client coordinationOffice managementProject administration
BSc in Accountancy. Raffy has overseen our administration and office management since 2022, bringing a background rich in hospitality, construction, and livestock management.
Within Arbor Cultural, that operational role supports the practical side of consultancy delivery: keeping enquiries moving, coordinating administration, supporting project information and helping clients move cleanly from first contact into the appropriate technical workflow.
Client coordinationSupports the route from enquiry into active instruction.
Office managementProvides continuity around day-to-day consultancy operations.
Project administrationHelps technical teams work from organised client and site information.
Health & Safety
Cecil Burnett
CMIOSH oversightField risk controlsManagement systems
MSc CMIOSH Health & Safety professional. Cecil manages our international-grade risk management systems, with experience ranging from the jungles of South America to professional urban site safety.
His role strengthens the governance around field-based consultancy, including how site activity, lone working, risk assessment and wider health-and-safety systems are managed as the firm operates across varied domestic, commercial, planning and construction environments.
CMIOSH oversightSenior health-and-safety competence supporting company systems.
Field risk controlsFocus on safe site work in changing environments.
Management systemsSupports consistent processes as the consultancy scales.
Senior arboricultural judgement
Consultancy, planning, diagnostics, property reporting and expert evidence.
Project & client coordination
Administration, office management and continuity around active instructions.
Health & safety oversight
Risk-management systems supporting safe, professional field delivery.
Consultancy capability
One firm across the full arboricultural brief.
Arbor Cultural supports tree-related decisions at different points in the property and development lifecycle, from early planning constraints through specialist investigation, construction and independent reporting.
BS5837 & development
Tree surveys, constraints, Arboricultural Impact Assessments, Tree Protection Plans, Method Statements and planning-condition support.
Planning consultancyTrees during build
Practical arboricultural input where retained trees, root protection, ground protection, sensitive working methods and site supervision matter.
Construction supportTree condition & decay
Condition assessments and specialist diagnostic investigation where additional evidence is appropriate beyond ordinary visual inspection.
Specialist diagnosticsMortgage & insurance
Independent arboricultural reports for property purchasers, surveyors, lenders, insurers and other property professionals.
Property reportsRoots & subsidence
Arboricultural investigation relating to roots, cracking, movement, building interactions and subsidence-related evidence.
Subsidence adviceTPO & conservation areas
Professional advice where Tree Preservation Orders, conservation-area controls, proposed work or local-authority processes affect decisions.
Protected-tree adviceExpert witness
Independent evidence for civil and criminal instructions, tree condition, damage, duty of care and complex technical disputes.
Expert witness workComplex tree questions
Consultant review for matters that do not fit neatly into a standard report type but still need a technically reasoned arboricultural answer.
Discuss an instructionHomeownersDevelopersArchitectsSurveyorsLegal teamsConstruction teams
Independent verification
Don't just take our word for it.
A consultancy looks more credible when prospective clients can check the evidence themselves. These external profiles and directories give independent routes to verify client feedback, professional standing and business presence.
Trustindex provides an external review profile where current Arbor Cultural client feedback can be checked directly.
Check TrustindexTom's independent Bond Solon register profile provides another external reference point for his expert-witness work.
Check profileArbor Cultural appears in Ascend Networking's live member directory as the Epsom Club Tree Consultant.
Check directoryThe firm's construction-sector directory presence gives contractors and developers an additional external place to find Arbor Cultural.
Check profileProfessional Memberships.
Arbor Cultural Ltd is committed to the highest industry standards, maintaining active membership with leading arboricultural and expert witness bodies. The feature panels below distinguish professional memberships, credentials and independent directory relationships rather than presenting every logo as the same type of affiliation.
Professional membership
Arboricultural Association
Tom has been a Professional member for over 15 years and is currently working towards becoming a registered consultant, regularly attending annual conferences and courses.
View organisation
Professional body relationship
Consulting Arborist Society
Tom joined the board in 2013 and served as Chairman from 2016. He continues to support the leadership team and trade body initiatives.
View organisation
Professional credential / membership
International Society of Arboriculture
A certified arborist for 15 years, Tom attends global training events and is currently working toward Board-Certified Master Arborist status.
View information
Industry practice group
Digital Arboriculture Practice
Arbor Cultural is engaged with the DAP group, leveraging digital tools and local networks to source professionals and enhance project delivery.
BOND
SOLON
SOLON
Expert witness qualification
Bond Solon
As a Bond Solon qualified expert witness, Tom handles civil and criminal cases—from tree decay and structural damage to complex planning disputes.
View profile
Expert witness directory
Your Expert Witness
A featured member specializing in civil and criminal cases involving tree-related damage, providing high-level authoritative testimony.
View listing
Expert witness register
UK Register of Expert Witnesses
A vetted member ensuring our arboricultural expertise is easily accessible to legal professionals seeking testimony in the field.
View register
Expert witness agency
National Expert Witness Agency
Registered member available for legal instructions, providing specialized expertise in tree condition, damage assessment, and duty of care.
View agencyOur Business Connections
Connected across construction and business.
Arbor Cultural Ltd regularly attends networking meetings and conferences to exchange ideas and stay at the forefront of industry developments. Each connection below is given its own feature rather than being reduced to a logo strip.
Construction.co.uk
We maintain a premium directory presence on the Construction.co.uk portal, connecting our arboricultural consultancy services directly with major contractors and developers across the UK.
View profile
Meridian BNI, Felbridge
Tom is an active member of the Meridian BNI Chapter. BNI is the world's leading referral organization, supporting growth through trusted professional networks.
View chapter
Network My Club (NMC)
A mix of business networking and sporting interests. Tom attends events at iconic venues like The Oval, AMEX Stadium, and Twickenham.
View profile
Federation of Master Builders
We provide expert presentations to FMB members regarding tree benefits and constraints during construction and development projects.
Visit FMB
Gatwick Diamond Networking
Fostering business connections and promoting collaboration within a vibrant economic hub in the South East.
View member page
Federation of Small Businesses
A long-standing membership providing legal advice, clarification, and networking opportunities as we continue to scale the business.
Visit FSB
Ascend Networking
Surrey's fastest growing business networking organization. Arbor Cultural is currently an active member of the Epsom group.
Visit Ascend
Gittgo Concierge Network
Trusted tree consultants for the network, providing comprehensive coverage across Surrey, Sussex, and South London.
Profile link to be confirmedOur Commitment to Safety
Professional work needs professional systems.
Arbor Cultural Ltd maintains a robust health and safety management system. We carry out site-specific risk assessments for all work activities, ensuring our practices remain compliant, efficient, and safe.
Professional Partners
Partnered with Croner for comprehensive Health & Safety policy, biosecurity protocols, and HR support.
Annual Compliance
Our management systems are audited annually by a CMIOSH member to guarantee total compliance.
Lone Working Safety
We utilize the PeopleSafe App to monitor and ensure the safety of all staff working in isolation.
Verified Personnel
All site-based staff are DBS checked and registered on the DBS online portal.
Currently working towards ISO 9001 accreditation.
Our Office Locations
Two established offices. Wider regional reach.
Arbor Cultural Ltd maintains dual physical bases to serve our clients across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, and beyond. Whether you are in our original West Molesey home or our expanded hub at Worth Corner, we are ready to assist.
Surrey office
36 Central Avenue
West Molesey, Surrey
KT8 2QZ0204 531 6444
West Molesey
Arbor Cultural Ltd36 Central Avenue
West Molesey, Surrey
KT8 2QZ0204 531 6444
Sussex office
Worth Corner Business Centre
Turners Hill Road, Pound Hill
Crawley RH10 7SL01293 664522
Crawley
Arbor Cultural LtdWorth Corner Business Centre
Turners Hill Road, Pound Hill
Crawley RH10 7SL01293 664522
Brighton regional contactBrighton, Hove and surrounding Sussex areas · 01273 054300
Waterlooville regional contactWaterlooville, Portsmouth and surrounding Hampshire areas · 02392 985444
Regional coverage
London, the South East and beyond.
Arbor Cultural works across a broad regional footprint. Open each panel to view the complete named location set currently used across the company's service coverage.
390+Locations
9Regions
2Offices
Surrey75 named locations+
Abinger HammerAddlestoneAlburyAshAshteadBagshotBansteadBetchworthBisleyBookhamBramleyBrockhamByfleetCamberleyCaterhamChertseyChipsteadChobhamClaygateCobhamComptonCranleighDorkingEast MoleseyEffinghamEghamEnglefield GreenEpsomEsherEwellFarncombeFarnhamFetchamFrimleyGodalmingGodstoneGreat BookhamGuildfordHaslemereHershamHindheadHorleyKingswoodLeatherheadLightwaterLingfieldMersthamMilfordNew HawOttershawOxtedOxshottPirbrightRedhillReigateRipleySendShalfordSheppertonSmallfieldStaines-upon-ThamesSunbury-on-ThamesSurbitonTadworthThames DittonVirginia WaterWalton-on-ThamesWarlinghamWest ByfleetWest MoleseyWeybridgeWindleshamWokingWoldinghamWoodham
West Sussex40 named locations+
AngmeringArundelBillingshurstBognor RegisBoshamBroadbridge HeathBurgess HillChichesterCopthorneCrawleyCuckfieldEast GrinsteadEast PrestonFelphamFernhurstFishbourneHassocksHaywards HeathHenfieldHorshamHurstpierpointLancingLindfieldLittlehamptonLoxwoodMiddleton-on-SeaMidhurstPetworthPulboroughRustingtonSayers CommonSelseyShoreham-by-SeaSouthbourneSouthwaterSouthwickSteyningStorringtonTangmereWorthing
East Sussex30 named locations+
AlfristonBattleBexhill-on-SeaBrightonCrowboroughDitchlingEast DeanEastbourneForest RowHailshamHastingsHeathfieldHoveHurst GreenLewesMayfieldNewhavenNewickPeacehavenPevenseyPolegateRingmerRobertsbridgeRyeSaltdeanSeafordTelscombeUckfieldWadhurstWinchelsea
Greater London87 named locations+
ActonBalhamBarking and DagenhamBarnesBarnetBatterseaBeckenhamBelgraviaBelsize ParkBexleyBlackheathBrentBrixtonBromleyCamdenCanary WharfChelseaChessingtonChislehurstChiswickCity of LondonClaphamCroydonDeptfordDulwichEalingElthamEnfieldFinchleyFulhamGreenwichHackneyHammersmithHammersmith and FulhamHampsteadHaringeyHarrowHaveringHayesHendonHighgateHillingdonHounslowIlfordIslingtonKensington and ChelseaKewKingston upon ThamesKnightsbridgeLambethLewishamLeytonMaryleboneMayfairMertonMill HillMortlakeMuswell HillNew MaldenNewhamNotting HillOrpingtonPeckhamPengePutneyPutney HeathRaynes ParkRedbridgeRichmond upon ThamesRuislipSidcupSouthallSouthwarkStreathamSuttonTeddingtonTootingTolworthTower HamletsTwickenhamUxbridgeWaltham ForestWandsworthWestminsterWimbledonWoolwichWorcester Park
Kent41 named locations+
AshfordAylesfordBirchington-on-SeaBroadstairsCanterburyChathamCranbrookDartfordDealDittonDoverEdenbridgeFavershamFolkestoneGillinghamGravesendHerne BayHytheLyddMaidstoneMargateMinsterNorthfleetPaddock WoodQueenboroughRainhamRamsgateRochesterRoyal Tunbridge WellsSandwichSevenoaksSheernessSittingbourneSnodlandSouthboroughSwanleyTenterdenTonbridgeWest MallingWesterhamWhitstable
Hampshire38 named locations+
AldershotAltonAndoverBasingstokeBishop's WalthamBordonEastleighEmsworthFarehamFarnboroughFleetFordingbridgeGosportHartley WintneyHavantHedge EndHookKingsclereLee-on-the-SolentLiphookLissLocks HeathLymingtonNew MiltonOdihamPetersfieldPortsmouthRingwoodRomseySouthamptonSouthseaStockbridgeTadleyTottonWaterloovilleWhitchurchWinchesterYateley
Berkshire30 named locations+
ArborfieldAscotBinfieldBracknellBrayBurghfieldCookhamCrowthorneDatchetEarleyFinchampsteadHungerfordKintburyLambournLangleyMaidenheadNewburyPangbourneReadingSandhurstSloughSunningdaleThatchamThealeTilehurstTwyfordWarfieldWindsorWokinghamWoodley
Buckinghamshire24 named locations+
AmershamAylesburyBeaconsfieldBletchleyBourne EndBuckinghamBurnhamChalfont St GilesChalfont St PeterCheshamGerrards CrossGreat MissendenHaddenhamHigh WycombeIverMarlowMilton KeynesNewport PagnellOlneyPrinces RisboroughStony StratfordWendoverWinslowWolverton
Oxfordshire25 named locations+
Abingdon-on-ThamesBamptonBanburyBensonBicesterBurfordCartertonCharlburyChipping NortonDidcotEynshamFaringdonGoring-on-ThamesGroveHenley-on-ThamesKidlingtonOxfordSonning CommonThameWallingfordWantageWatlingtonWheatleyWitneyWoodstock
We are a Multi Award Winning Organisation
Recognition earned across multiple years.
We continue to strive for excellence and have been recognised on many occasions. Recognition sits alongside—not in place of—the professional qualifications, client reviews, technical work and external profiles shown elsewhere on this page.
British Business Review Board 2024
UK Enterprise 2024
E2 Media 2023 Award of Excellence: Tree Consultant of the Year
Best Sustainable Management Specialists - Southern England
SME News Southern Enterprise Awards 2021
Best Sustainable Management Specialists
Runners Up: Pro Landscape Business Award 2020 for Arboriculture Company
Our Charitable Connections
Connections beyond commercial consultancy.
At Arbor Cultural, we believe in giving back to the community and our environment.
Taylor Made Dreams
Enabling children with life-limiting illnesses to achieve their dreams. Tom has actively supported them through sponsored Lego Walks and Fire Walks.
Visit charity
Woodland Trust
The UK's largest woodland conservation charity. We are proud long-standing supporters, contributing via monthly subscriptions to protect our trees.
Visit charity
Raising Smiles
Based in Molesey, this charity supports young people undergoing medical treatment. Arbor Cultural regularly advertises in their magazine to support their cause.
Visit charity
Fund4Trees
Promoting sustainable treescapes through conservation, education, and research. An early adopter of their 'donate a job' scheme.
Visit charity
Ecologi
Funding climate solutions and tree planting projects globally. We are integrating a client reward scheme to plant trees for every project delivered.
View our impactIndependent arboricultural consultancy
Bring us the problem. We'll define the right next step.
Planning condition, development constraint, lender request, tree-safety concern, decay question, subsidence issue or legal instruction—send what you already have and Arbor Cultural can identify the appropriate professional scope.