Arboriculture and Tree Management

Lowther Forestry delivers arboricultural services across the United Kingdom, from routine tree surgery and stump removal through to specialist surveying and advanced diagnostic assessments. With over 46 years of experience, our teams combine certified arborists, specialist plant and proven operational processes to deliver safe, compliant and effective tree management for clients in every sector.

Talk to Our Team

We work with government agencies, the construction sector, commercial estates, local authorities, utility providers, educational establishments and private developments. Our arboricultural consultants hold degree and postgraduate qualifications in arboriculture and forestry. The surveying team is based at our Penrith head office and travels nationally, while tree surgery and operational works are delivered from all five regional offices.

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NHSS 18A, 18B
and 18C Accredited

Approved for arboricultural works on the strategic road network, covering tree surgery, vegetation management and related highway operations.
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Advanced Diagnostic
Assessments

Sonic Tomography, Biomechanical Assessment and Resistograph testing for detailed decay mapping, structural analysis and actionable reporting.
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Specialist
Arboricultural Fleet

Crane-mounted tree shears, whole-tree chippers, timber harvesters, mulchers and MEWPs. Purpose-built plant for safe, large-scale tree operations.

Comprehensive Tree Management, from Survey to Solution

Our arboricultural capability covers the full scope of tree management. Routine tree surgery, stump removal and vegetation clearance are delivered by NPTC-certified surgeons from all five regional offices, supported by a specialist fleet of modern plant and equipment.

For clients requiring survey and assessment services, our dedicated arboricultural surveying team is based at our Penrith head office and travels nationally. Services include BS5837 surveys, impact assessments, arboricultural method statements, development watching briefs and Visual Tree Assessments. Where standard visual inspection is not sufficient, we offer advanced diagnostic assessments including Sonic Tomography, Biomechanical Assessment and IML Resi PD (Resistograph) testing, providing detailed internal data on trunk condition and structural integrity.

This combination of surveying, diagnostics and operational delivery within a single organisation allows us to manage projects from initial assessment through to completed works, reducing the coordination burden for our clients and ensuring consistency at every stage.

Tree surgery by Lowther Forestry
Tree surgery by Lowther Forestry

Trusted By Main Contractors, Utilities and Public Bodies

Selected Projects

From routine tree surgery programmes to specialist assessments on nationally significant sites.
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT Grass cutting and vegetation management by Lowther Forestry

Environment Agency North Hub Framework

Lowther were named as a primary supplier to the Environment Agency to deliver works across three regional hubs: Cumbria & Lancashire, Greater Manchester & Cheshire and Yorkshire in 2024. Delivering routine vegetation management (both in…

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Testimonials

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Thanks so much for going the extra mile to keep our roads safe. Your commitment to excellence really shows. Keep up the fantastic work.

5 Star Review for Wired by Jessops (Cornwall) icon.

Nationally recognised accreditations

NHSS 18A, 18B and 18C accredited for arboricultural works on the strategic road network. Certified to ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

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BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) logo
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ISO 45001 logo
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Five Offices Across the UK

Our regional offices sit in Penrith (Cumbria, head office), Castleford (Yorkshire and the North East), Runcorn (North West), Milton Keynes (South and East) and the West Midlands. Tree surveying and Advanced Tree Assessments are run from our Penrith team and travel nationally. Project teams come from the office closest to your site.

See Our Regional Offices

Common Questions About Our Arboricultural Services

What are advanced tree assessments?
Advanced tree assessments go beyond standard visual inspection to evaluate the internal condition of a tree. We use Sonic Tomography to map decay within the trunk, Biomechanical Assessment to model structural loading, and IML Resi PD (Resistograph) testing to measure wood density and detect hidden deterioration. The results are compiled into detailed reports with clear recommendations for retention, remediation or removal.
Do you cover the whole of the UK for arboricultural surveys?
Yes. Our arboricultural surveying team is based at our Penrith head office and travels nationally to deliver BS5837 surveys, tree condition assessments, development watching briefs and advanced diagnostic work. Tree surgery and operational works are delivered from our five regional offices across England.
What qualifications do your arborists hold?
Our arboricultural consultants hold degree and postgraduate qualifications in arboriculture and forestry, including BA(Hons), MSc and FdSc credentials. All tree surgeons are NPTC certified. Across the business, we hold NHSS 18A, 18B and 18C accreditation for arboricultural works on the strategic road network, alongside ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification.
How does a BS5837 tree survey work?
A BS5837 survey assesses every tree on or adjacent to a development site. Each tree is categorised based on its condition, amenity value and remaining lifespan. The survey produces a tree constraints plan, which maps root protection areas and canopy spreads, along with recommendations for tree retention, removal or protection during construction. We record all data using GPS and CAD systems and can provide arboricultural method statements and development watching briefs as part of the same instruction.
Do you handle planning authority liaison for tree-related applications?
We prepare the technical documentation that supports tree-related planning applications, including arboricultural impact assessments, method statements and tree protection plans to BS5837. Our surveyors can advise on the requirements of local planning authorities and help ensure submissions are complete and compliant. While we do not act as planning agents, our reports are produced to the standard expected by planning officers and are regularly used in support of successful applications.