Utility Arboriculture

Lowther Forestry Group delivers specialist utility arboriculture services to keep networks reliable and people safe. Our experienced teams provide vegetation management for electricity, water, gas and telecommunications providers across the United Kingdom.

Safety and Compliance

Our utility arboriculture services include targeted pruning and crown reductions to reduce outage risk, vegetation clearance for access and maintenance programmes, cyclical contracts, one-off projects and rapid-response emergency callouts. Whether managing planned programmes or responding to urgent situations, we have the experience and capability to meet the needs of utility providers.

All works are subject to detailed hazard inspections, risk assessments and pre-start planning, with most contracts delivered via a strictly controlled permit system. We coordinate closely with network operators, contractors and landowners to meet statutory obligations and asset protection standards.

Our operatives are trained to industry safety and competence schemes, using insulated tools, trained climbers, tracked access platforms and GIS-enabled reporting to manage complex, constrained sites efficiently. Environmental and archaeological considerations are integrated into every job, with protected species checks, seasonal timing protocols and habitat-sensitive techniques employed to minimise ecological impact. We offer flexible contracts, transparent documentation and audit-ready records to support a professional, compliant service.

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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.

Trusted By Main Contractors, Utilities and Public Bodies

Selected Project

Testimonials

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Great service for firewood - good quality logs.

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

Jim White

Company Name

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Top class people to deal with. Tash in head office is great. Contracts manager Tom is a great lad. Done a lot of business with them over the years, always first class.

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

Steven Reaper

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Accredited Across Every Service

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). An approved supplier of arboricultural and forestry services since 1980.

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Five Offices Across the UK

Our arboricultural surveying team is based at our Penrith head office and travels nationally to deliver BS5837 surveys, advanced assessments and development watching briefs. Tree surgery and operational arboricultural works are delivered from all five offices: Penrith, Castleford, Runcorn, Milton Keynes and the West Midlands.

Common Questions About Utility Arboriculture

What utility networks do you work on?
We provide vegetation management services for electricity, water, gas and telecommunications networks. Our teams are experienced across overhead and underground infrastructure, delivering clearance, pruning and access works to suit each network type.
How do you ensure safety near power lines?
Safety near live infrastructure is central to everything we do. All operatives hold the relevant industry safety and competence certifications, and works are carried out using insulated tools, controlled permit systems and detailed risk assessments. We coordinate directly with network operators to confirm isolation requirements and safe working procedures before any job begins.
Do you offer cyclical maintenance contracts?
Yes. We deliver cyclical vegetation management programmes tailored to each client's network and compliance schedule. Contracts are supported by transparent documentation, GIS-enabled reporting and audit-ready records to meet regulatory and operational requirements.
Can you handle emergency callouts?
We provide rapid-response callout services for storm damage, fallen trees and vegetation-related network faults. Our teams are equipped and mobilised to attend urgent situations quickly, working closely with network operators to restore access and service safely.
What qualifications do your operatives hold?
Our operatives are trained and certified under recognised industry safety and competence schemes relevant to utility arboriculture. This includes qualifications for working near live apparatus, aerial rescue, chainsaw use and the operation of mobile elevated work platforms. All certifications are kept current and auditable.