Working with Stewart was a pleasure. He knows everything there is to know about trees and provided prompt useful guidance for the development of our site. Highly recommend.
Keith Edwards, Devon
Dart Tree Consultancy is an independent arboricultural consultancy based in the South West. We specialise in providing practical, evidence‑led advice to homeowners, architects, developers, estate managers, schools and local authorities.
Our focus is simple: to help you make informed decisions about your trees with confidence, clarity and peace of mind.
Because we are independent — not tree surgeons — our advice is unbiased, transparent and always in your best interests.
Keith brings decades of experience in arboriculture, planning and tree risk management. He is a Lantra‑qualified Professional Tree Inspector and holds QTRA (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment) certification. Keith specialises in:
BS5837 tree surveys for planning
Tree safety inspections
Arboricultural Impact Assessments
TPO and Conservation Area advice
Subsidence investigations
Keith’s approach is calm, methodical and grounded in real‑world experience — ideal for complex planning applications and sensitive sites.
Stewart has extensive experience in tree surgery operations, woodland management and practical arboriculture. His background gives him a unique understanding of how trees behave, how they fail, and how to manage them safely and responsibly.
Stewart specialises in:
Tree risk assessments
Woodland and estate management
Tree health and condition assessments
Practical, actionable recommendations
We don’t carry out tree surgery, so our recommendations are always impartial and based solely on what’s best for you and your trees.
Whether it’s a planning application or a safety inspection, our reports are written in plain English with clear actions and no jargon.
With QTRA certification, Lantra Professional Tree Inspector qualifications and decades of combined experience, you’re in safe hands.
We work with homeowners, architects, developers, schools, estate managers and local authorities throughout the South West.
Bodmin, Bude, Callington, Camborne, Camelford, Falmouth, Fowey, Hayle, Helston, Launceston, Liskeard, Looe, Lostwithiel, Marazion, Newquay, Padstow, Penryn, Penzance, Redruth, Saltash, St Austell, St Ives, Torpoint, Truro, Wadebridge and all surrounding areas.
Ashburton, Axminster, Barnstaple, Bideford, Brixham, Braunton, Brixham, Chagford, Crediton, Cullompton, Dawlish, Dartmouth, Exmouth, Exeter, Great Torrington, Holsworthy, Honiton, Ilfracombe, Kingsbridge, Lynton, Lynmouth, Moretonhampstead, Newton Abbot, North Tawton, Okehampton, Paignton, Plymouth, Salcombe, Seaton, Sidmouth, South Brent, South Molton, Tavistock, Teignmouth, Tiverton, Torquay, Totnes and all surrounding areas.
Axbridge, Bath, Bridgwater, Bruton, Burnham-on-Sea, Castle Cary, Chard, Cheddar, Clevedon, Crewkerne, Dulverton, Frome, Glastonbury, Highbridge, Ilminster, Keynsham, Langport, Minehead, Nailsea, Portishead, Radstock, Shepton Mallet, Somerton, South Petherton, Street, Taunton, Watchet, Wellington, Wells, Weston-super-Mare, Williton, Wincanton, Yeovil
Beaminster, Blandford Forum, Bournemouth, Bridport, Christchurch, Dorchester, Ferndown, Gillingham, Lyme Regis, Poole, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Swanage, Verwood, Wareham, Weymouth, Wimborne Minster and all surrounding areas.
If your site has trees on or near the boundary, most Local Authorities require a BS5837 survey before validating a planning application. This applies to extensions, new builds, conversions, access changes and larger developments. The survey identifies tree constraints and ensures your design complies with planning policy.
A full BS5837 package typically includes:
Tree survey schedule
Tree constraints plan (TCP)
Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)
Tree Protection Plan (TPP)
Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS)
Site monitoring (if required) These documents support your planning application from design through to construction.
Costs vary depending on site size, number of trees and the level of reporting required. BS5837 surveys are typically more detailed than safety inspections. We provide clear, fixed‑fee quotes before any work begins.
Absolutely. We regularly work alongside architects, planning consultants, developers and Local Authorities to resolve tree‑related constraints and support successful planning outcomes.
A tree risk assessment evaluates the likelihood of tree failure and the potential consequences. It helps landowners manage risk responsibly and proportionately. We use QTRA‑based principles to ensure assessments are evidence‑led and cost‑effective.
Inspection frequency depends on tree condition, location and usage of the surrounding area. Typical re‑inspection cycles range from 1–5 years. We provide tailored recommendations based on risk level.
Yes. We assist with:
TPO applications
Objections
Works to trees in Conservation Areas
Advice on protected tree management, our reports are designed to meet Local Authority requirements.
Yes. We are a fully independent consultancy and not linked to any tree surgery company. Our recommendations are always in the best interests of you and your trees.
Yes, we have Professional Indemnity insurance to £2,000,000 and Public liability insurance to £2,000,000.
We operate throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset and sometimes further afield. Get in touch to see if we can help in your area.
Working with Stewart was a pleasure. He knows everything there is to know about trees and provided prompt useful guidance for the development of our site. Highly recommend.