Arboricultural Authority
Arbor Cultural was founded by Tom Thompson, who manages and runs the business on a day-to-day basis. As a specialist Tree Consultant in The South East, Tom holds a Masters degree in Forestry and a BSc in Arboriculture, providing an authoritative foundation of high-level academic and practical expertise.
His career has spanned urban forestry, woodland creation, and organic waste recycling. Notably, Tom has worked within the public sector as a Local Authority Tree Officer for two councils. This “insider” knowledge of the planning system is why Arbor Cultural has such a high success rate; we understand the criteria Council officers use to judge a Tree Report.
Our mission is simple: to enable people, trees, and property to co-exist. We use Digital Arboriculture Practice (DAP) to lead the industry in how trees are valued and protected within the built environment.
Trees are life. They bring health, well-being, and beauty to our lives while adding value to our environment. Beyond aesthetics, they provide cleaner air, protection, and shade. We focus on sustainability and protection—removing a tree is always our absolute last resort.
We lead the Digital Arboriculture Practice (DAP) working group, utilizing contemporary technology to highlight the importance of trees in urban environments. This technical know-how directly benefits our Arboricultural Impact Assessments.
We provide specialist Tree Reports across the entire South East, including Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, and London. Our consultants are mobile and equipped to handle large-scale development sites or private residential assessments.
We work with architects, planning consultants, and property developers seeking authoritative assessments for planning. We also assist private residential clients with Tree Reports for mortgage, insurance, or legal reasons.
No. We are Tree Consultants (or Arboricultural Consultants). While our work echoes what an arboriculturist does, it is often confused with a tree surgeon. We do NOT perform tree surgery; our focus is on technical assessment and reporting.
We work with amenity trees in public parks, gardens, schools, and housing estates. Our services include BS5837 Tree Reports, Decay Detection (Sonic Tomography), Air Spade Excavation, and Expert Witness work.
Lenders often require a report to assess the risk of subsidence or structural damage. Our surveys inform both the lender and purchaser of potential costs and risks, enabling informed practical and financial decisions.
This is the British Standard for “Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition, and Construction.” Local Planning Authorities use this to assess how a development will impact trees. A BS5837 Tree Report is mandatory for most planning applications.
We maintain regular professional development, including LANTRA Professional Tree Inspection, QTRA, THREATS, TRAQ, and VALID tree risk management systems.
We provide expert witness reports, high hedge assessments, tree valuation, heritage assessments, and related subsidence assessments and reports.
Trees clean the air, reduce temperatures, hold water to prevent flooding, and capture carbon. They “soften” the built environment and enhance physical and mental well-being.
Yes. Arbor Cultural is covered with £2 million of Professional Indemnity (including mortgage and insurance reports) and £10 million for Public Liability for total peace of mind.
As a Tree Consultant in The South East, we cover East and West Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, all of London, and the home counties. For specialist work, we may travel further upon request.
Our focus is on sustainability. Removing a tree is a matter of absolute last resort. We aim to find design and engineering solutions that keep trees and property co-existing wherever possible.
THE PATH TO COMPLETION
Whether you need a Tree Report for Planning or Building Control, we provide the technical evidence required to finish the build. Get started today.
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