What is a Project Arborist?

When it comes to development projects, trees are often seen as obstacles rather than assets. Yet, retaining healthy, mature trees can add significant value to a site. The challenge lies in protecting them during construction.

This is where a Project Arborist comes in.

A Project Arborist is not just the person who writes your Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) or Method Statement at planning stage. Their real value is in bridging the gap between planning and construction, ensuring that what was promised on paper is actually delivered on site.

At Holly Arboriculture, we’ve seen both sides: projects where a Project Arborist is involved from the beginning and those where we’ve been called in late, once issues have already arisen. The difference in cost, efficiency, and outcomes is stark.

The Method Statement provides the rules of the game, setting out how trees should be protected before, during, and after construction. But rules alone aren’t enough. They need to be implemented, monitored, and adapted on site.

Here’s what a Project Arborist typically does:

• Pre-commencement site meeting with the contractor to agree protection measures.
• Supervision of tree works and installation of protective fencing and ground protection.
• Toolbox talks and site inductions to educate staff on tree protection zones and responsibilities.
• Regular site inspections and reports to ensure compliance throughout construction.
• Supervision of high-risk activities such as excavations near roots, no-dig construction, and service installations.
• Problem-solving on site if plans need adapting to unforeseen circumstances.
• Final inspection post-construction to confirm retained trees remain healthy and safe.

Without a Project Arborist overseeing these steps, Method Statements risk becoming box-ticking exercises that gather dust in a site office.

A vital part of the Project Arborist’s role is ensuring compliance with recognised arboricultural standards. In Ireland and the UK, this means working in line with BS 5837:2012 Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction and BS 3998:2010 Tree Work Recommendations. These standards provide the technical framework for tree protection fencing, ground protection, and no-dig solutions.

By ensuring that every step aligns with these standards, Project Arborists help clients meet planning requirements, reduce risks, and maintain trust with local authorities.

For developers and contractors, early involvement brings clear advantages:

• Avoids costly delays from issues encountered due to not following the recommendations.
• Reduces risk of tree damage that might force redesign.
• Improves communication between contractors, architects, and local authorities.
• Protects reputation by showing compliance with planning conditions.
• Ensures continuity: the same arborist who knows the site from planning can guide the construction team through delivery.

Early investment in arboricultural oversight pays off by saving both time and money later.

Too often, Project Arborists are only brought in when things have already gone wrong. We’ve had calls from clients after tree roots were severed during excavation or when protective fencing had been ignored.

At that stage, solutions are limited and expensive. Remedial works rarely restore full tree health and delays can be significant.By contrast, projects where a Project Arborist was appointed from the start run far more smoothly, with fewer surprises and far better long-term outcomes.

One of the most effective ways to protect trees is also the simplest: education. At Holly Arboriculture, we provide short training sessions or toolbox talks at the beginning of projects to ensure site teams understand the importance of tree protection zones and how to work around them safely.

This proactive approach has made a measurable difference on many projects. You can read more in our case study here: Delivering Tree Protection Education for Construction Sites.

The ideal time is right after planning approval and before construction begins. This ensures continuity from the AIA and Method Statement through to the build itself.

If you’re a developer, contractor, or architect working on a site with trees, appointing a Project Arborist early is one of the simplest ways to safeguard your investment.When appointing a Project Arborist, qualifications and experience matter. At Holly Arboriculture, our team holds professional accreditations and has decades of combined experience in tree management across Cork and Ireland. This knowledge, combined with familiarity with local authority expectations, helps keep projects compliant and on schedule.

Contact Holly Arboriculture today to book your initial tree survey or request a no-obligation quote for a project arborist at info@hollyarb.ie