A UK-wide arboricultural consultancy launched by VMT, the training arm of VMS Ltd, is celebrating a successful first year after securing a steady pipeline of work, expanding its client base and investing in specialist skills and equipment.
Since its launch in September the new Arboricultural Consultancy Service has experienced strong demand for its tree surveying and consultancy services, with major work carried out for the Environment Agency as well as new opportunities emerging with housing associations, commercial property clients, schools, hospitals and landowners.
The team, led by lead consultant Mathew Graham, recently completed five months of tree survey work across multiple sites, including Environment Agency assets between Oxford and London and in Lincolnshire. This work has led to further specialist inspections, including ash dieback assessments designed to help clients make informed, proportionate decisions about tree safety, retention and long-term management.
Mathew Graham said: “It’s been going really well since launch. We expected there might be quieter periods, but the work has continued at a really consistent pace.
“The Environment Agency already knew us from the operational side, and once they realised we were offering surveying and consultancy work, they started using us for a lot of their survey requirements. From October, the floodgates opened really.
“Clients value that we don’t simply recommend unnecessary work. We look at what is best for the client, the environment and the tree itself. Sometimes the obvious answer is not the best answer.”
One example is the consultancy’s work around ash dieback. During earlier surveys, the team identified a number of affected ash trees but recommended reassessment during the summer, when symptoms could be more accurately evaluated. As a result, only the trees presenting the highest level of risk may need to be removed, while others can potentially be retained and monitored.
Mathew added: “It would have been easy to say all the affected trees should come down, but that is not always the right approach. By reassessing them at the right time of year, we can make better decisions and hopefully retain more tree stock where it is safe to do so.”
Since launch, the UK-wide consultancy has also invested in specialist equipment, software and staff training to support its growth. This includes a £23,000 investment in upgrading its existing PiCUS Sonic Tomograph to the newest model, a lighter-weight specialist arboricultural decay detection tool with increased functionality that uses sound waves to safely look inside a tree. Refresher training and development opportunities have also been given to staff interested in progressing into surveying roles.
Future plans include growing the team, strengthening relationships with trusted freelance surveyors, expanding in-house ecological capability and further diversifying its client base across housing associations, commercial properties, schools, hospitals and larger landowners.
Members of the team are currently undertaking bat handling training, supporting its longer-term ambition to offer a more joined-up arboricultural and ecological service.
“The hope for the future is to expand the team and grow the client base,” explains Mathew. “For me personally, being out looking at trees every day is what I enjoy, so it would be great to do more of that across a wider variety of sites.”
The Arboricultural Consultancy Service is an expansion of the company’s existing services and provides client-focused support in all areas of vegetation management, from initial consultation to solution-based management plans.