NHSS 18A, 18B and 18C Highways Landscaping

Lowther Forestry holds ongoing accreditation to National Highways Sector Schemes 18A, 18B and 18C. As approved highways landscaping and arboricultural contractors, we deliver soft landscape, planting and tree services across motorways, trunk roads and strategic routes throughout the United Kingdom.

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What NHSS Accreditation Covers

NHSS approval confirms that we meet nationally recognised standards for quality, health and safety, environmental management and biodiversity. This is evidenced through continuous independent auditing and external accreditation. From surveys and soil preparation to tree planting, seeding and long-term maintenance, our skilled teams provide solutions designed specifically for highway environments.

We deploy accredited supervisors, specialist plant and digitally tracked workflows to keep programmes on schedule while minimising disruption to traffic and communities. All operatives hold required sector qualifications and CSCS/CPCS cards. Works are executed to Scheme 18 standards alongside our ISO quality and environmental procedures and client-specific specifications.

Our accreditation covers all land-based sectors under NHSS 18. Scheme 18A covers arboricultural activities, including professional tree inspection, mechanical tree and vegetation removal, and maintenance of established trees and shrubs. Scheme 18B covers pesticide and pest control activities, including the management of invasive and protected species, and measures for invertebrates and vertebrates. Scheme 18C covers land-based planning and management, including ground preparation, tree and herbaceous plant maintenance, water bodies and litter picking.

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NHSS 18A, 18B
and 18C Accredited

Fully accredited for landscaping and arboriculture on the strategic road network, covering soft landscaping, hard landscaping and maintenance.
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Experienced Design
and Delivery Team

Our highly experienced design and delivery teams provide innovative NHSS-compliant landscaping solutions, combining native tree stock, sustainable procurement, low-impact construction methods, habitat enhancement, and responsible resource management to create lasting environmental value while delivering projects safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
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Sustainability

We apply industry-leading sustainable practices throughout NHSS projects, minimising environmental impact through responsible sourcing, efficient resource management, habitat protection, and low-carbon delivery methods

Trusted by the UK's Leading Contractors

Lowther Forestry works as a trusted landscaping subcontractor to many of the UK's largest construction and infrastructure firms. These relationships are built on decades of reliable delivery, competitive pricing and the ability to mobilise skilled teams at short notice across the country. Many of our Tier 1 clients have worked with us continuously for over ten years, returning project after project because of the consistency and quality we bring to their programmes.

Highway landscaping by Lowther Forestry
Highway landscaping by Lowther Forestry

Trusted By Main Contractors, Utilities and Public Bodies

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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 for landscaping and arboriculture on the strategic road network. ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (health and safety).

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BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) 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.

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Common Questions About NHSS 18 Landscaping

What is NHSS 18?
NHSS 18 is the family of National Highways Sector Schemes covering landscaping and arboricultural services on the strategic road network. It is split into 18A for arboricultural activities, 18B for pesticide and pest control, and 18C for land-based planning and management. Contractors demonstrate compliance through regular independent audits.
Do I need an NHSS 18 contractor for verge and embankment planting?
If the works sit on or adjacent to the strategic road network, National Highways and most principal contractors will require Scheme 18 accreditation as a condition of appointment. Which sub-scheme applies depends on the scope: planting and ground preparation fall under 18C, tree work under 18A, and invasive or protected species management under 18B.
What qualifications do your land-based operatives hold?
NPTC and City & Guilds certification for chainsaw use, aerial tree work and vegetation clearance, plus PA1, PA2 and PA6 pesticide application certification where Scheme 18B works are involved. Supervisors hold scheme-specific accreditation, and all operatives carry valid CSCS or CPCS cards.
How do you work around seasonal planting windows?
Planting and seeding windows are agreed against the programme at tender stage rather than assumed. Where a possession window falls outside the viable planting season we will say so and propose either a revised sequence or temporary measures, instead of planting into conditions that will fail during establishment.
Can you respond to storm damage and fallen trees on the network?
Yes. We provide emergency arboricultural response for storm damage, fallen trees, branch failure over live carriageway and vegetation obstructing sight lines. Teams and specialist plant can be mobilised at short notice from whichever of our five offices is closest.