How to Select and Appoint a Qualified Arboricultural Consultant
The arboricultural consultancy sector is largely unregulated — anyone can describe themselves as a tree surveyor or arboricultural consultant regardless of their qualifications or experience. For a report that will be submitted to a local planning authority, used in legal proceedings, relied upon by a mortgage lender, or used to support a duty of care defence, the qualifications, experience, and independence of the consultant you appoint matter enormously.
This guide explains what to look for, what questions to ask, and what separates a genuinely qualified arboricultural consultant from someone who simply calls themselves one.
Qualifications to Look For
The most important qualification for an arboricultural consultant is the Level 6 Diploma in Arboriculture — the highest academic qualification available in the profession and the standard expected by local planning authorities and the courts for complex arboricultural consultancy work. Below this, the Level 4 Diploma in Arboriculture represents a solid professional qualification, while the Level 3 Certificate is a practical qualification more suited to tree surgery than consultancy.
For tree inspection and risk assessment work, the Lantra Professional Tree Inspection certificate (PTI) is the standard professional qualification — demonstrating that the holder has been formally trained in the Visual Tree Assessment methodology to the standard required for professional inspection practice. For risk assessments on high-target sites, Licensed QTRA user status demonstrates that the consultant is accredited to use the industry-leading quantified risk assessment methodology.
For work involving protected trees, planning submissions, and expert witness reports, professional membership of the Arboricultural Association — specifically Membership grade (MArborA), which requires demonstration of professional competence and peer review — is the recognised professional standard. Look for the letters MArborA after the consultant's name.
Independence Matters
One of the most important — and most frequently overlooked — factors when appointing an arboricultural consultant is independence from tree surgery contractors. A consultant who also carries out or recommends tree surgery work has a financial interest in recommending works that may not be strictly necessary. An independent consultant — with no connection to any tree surgery contractor — provides advice based entirely on arboricultural merit, with no commercial interest in the outcome of their recommendations.
This independence is particularly important for homeowners seeking pre-purchase advice, landowners making risk management decisions, and developers relying on arboricultural reports to support planning applications that will be scrutinised by local authority tree officers. Always ask whether your consultant has any connection to tree surgery contractors before appointing them.
Questions to Ask Before Appointing
Before appointing an arboricultural consultant, ask them the following questions. What are your arboricultural qualifications and are you a professional member of the Arboricultural Association? Are you a licensed QTRA user? Do you have professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance — and to what level? Are you independent from tree surgery contractors? Have you worked with the relevant local planning authority before and are you familiar with their validation requirements? Can you provide references from similar projects? What is your experience with the specific type of survey I require — BS5837, tree risk assessment, decay detection, or TPO application?
What to Expect From a Qualified Consultant
A qualified, professional arboricultural consultant will provide a written fee proposal before any work begins, attend site in person to carry out the survey rather than relying on desk-based assessment, produce a written report that clearly explains the methodology used, the findings, and the management recommendations in plain language, be available to discuss the findings and answer questions after the report is delivered, and be willing to liaise directly with the local planning authority, insurers, or legal advisors where required.
Reports produced by qualified consultants will reference the relevant British Standards, NTSG guidance, and case law where appropriate, will be produced in the consultant's own name with their qualifications clearly stated, and will be covered by professional indemnity insurance. If a report does not clearly state the qualifications of the person who produced it, treat this as a warning sign.
Why Choose Urban Tree Management
Urban Tree Management's consultants hold the Level 6 Diploma in Arboriculture — the highest qualification in the profession — the Lantra Professional Tree Inspection Certificate, Licensed QTRA user status, and Professional Membership of the Arboricultural Association (MArborA). We are completely independent from tree surgery contractors, carry public liability insurance to £5,000,000 and professional indemnity insurance to £1,000,000, and are experienced in working with every local planning authority across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Cheshire. Our specialist diagnostic capability — including Arbotom sonic tomography, IML Resistograph, and ArWiLo wind load analysis — places us in a very small group of consultancies in the North West able to offer the full range of advanced tree investigation services.
For full details of our team and qualifications see our About Us page.
How much does a tree survey cost?
Tree survey costs vary depending on the type of survey, the number of trees, the size of the site, and the level of reporting required. Urban Tree Management provides all surveys on a fixed-fee basis — you will always know exactly what you will pay before we attend site. Contact us with your site address and a brief description of your requirements and we will provide a detailed written quote, typically within two hours during working hours. See our dedicated tree survey costs page for a guide to typical price ranges for different survey types.
Independent, Qualified Arboricultural Consultants — Greater Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire
Urban Tree Management provides independent arboricultural consultancy for clients of all types across the North West — fully qualified, professionally insured, and completely independent from tree surgery contractors.
Get in contact with our highly experienced and personable team of arboriculturists today, to discuss your requirements and to obtain your zero obligation quotation.