South East Forestry and Tree Services

Tree surgery and woodland management from Newdigate, near Dorking

South East Forestry and Tree Services is the trading name now used by the business formerly known as South East Tree Surgeons. The company operates from Rolls Farmhouse on Partridge Lane in Newdigate, near Dorking, and describes itself as a family-run operation with more than 25 years of tree surgery work across Surrey and Sussex. Its stated client base ranges from individual householders to estate managers, property management companies and local authorities.

The firm presents itself as a trained and experienced team and as a local authority approved contractor. It handles both domestic and commercial commissions, and the site indicates that quotations for proposed work can be arranged on request.

Tree work offered

The core service is practical tree surgery, described on the site as covering both small domestic jobs, such as pruning an overhanging tree, and the maintenance of extensive woodland. The published list of operations includes:

• Crown reduction and crown lifting
• Tree felling and tree removal
• Removal of dead wood and branches
• Tree pruning
• Hedge management
• Cabling and bracing
• Stump removal and stump grinding
• Coppicing and planting

Forestry and woodland management

Beyond individual trees, the company addresses woodland of any size, with a team that specialises in woodland management. This line of work is presented alongside the tree surgery service rather than as an occasional add-on, and it is aimed at owners and managers of wooded land as well as at domestic gardens.

Arboricultural and ecological consultancy

The consultancy side of the business covers planning applications, tree risk assessments and ecological surveys, together with arboriculture and ecology reports. These services are grouped on the site under tree consultancy and are directed at clients who need documented assessments rather than physical tree work alone.

Public-sector and property clients

The company states that it has become an approved contractor recommended by several local authorities in Surrey and Sussex, naming Mole Valley, Tandridge, Reigate & Banstead District Councils, Woking, Epsom & Ewell and Elmbridge Borough Councils and Surrey County Council. It also reports work for parish councils including Slinfold, Horsham, Shere, Capel, Nuthurst, Cranleigh, Broadbridge Heath, Ockham, Warnham and Bletchingley.

On the commercial side, it lists property management companies among its clients, citing Cluttons, Savills, Strutt and Parker, White and Sons, Pinnacle and Sennen. The site adds that some clients have remained with the business for more than 25 years.

Background and team

According to the company's own account, the business was started by Graham Kenward, who began trading as South East Tree Surgeons at the age of 16 in 1994. It describes itself as family-run, with his father, brother and nephew also working in the tree surgery industry. The site gives both "over 25 years" and "over 30 years" of experience in different places, and refers to hundreds of satisfied clients in one section and thousands in another.

Timber, trees and woodchip

Alongside its contracting work, the company sells seasoned mixed hardwood logs and woodchip. It also states that it grows and supplies Christmas trees and oak tree saplings, a line grouped on the site under tree supplies.