Arboricultural consultants servicing Auckland•Whangarei•Gisborne•Christchurch
0508 873 326
0508 873 326
About the company

Arboricultural Consultants Across New Zealand

Reliable, professional advice on managing trees in the urban environment — the principle the business was built on, and the standard behind every report we write.

Who we are

Specialist arboricultural consultants

The Tree Consultancy Company was founded in 2010 by Sean McBride, drawing on many years of industry experience. Today its arboricultural consultants hold qualifications and internationally recognised certifications up to PhD level, and are regularly engaged by Auckland Council and other regional authorities for tree risk assessments, district plan changes, notices of requirement, resource consent applications and expert evidence. Whatever the challenge, our focus is the same: practical, workable solutions to complex tree issues, backed by clear tree reports you can act on.

Sean McBride, arboricultural consultant and director of The Tree Consultancy Company

Sean McBride

Director

Sean has more than 20 years' experience as a consultant arboriculturist across both the private and public sectors. After five years in the United Kingdom as an arboricultural advisor, he returned to New Zealand and founded The Tree Consultancy Company.

He has held specialist advisory roles on major projects including the City Rail Link, Mill Road / Redoubt Road, the Western Springs pine removals, and assessments of the oak trees within the Auckland Domain.

Sean is regularly engaged as an expert for Auckland Council — advising on district plan change matters, Environment Court mediation, risk assessments on trees in road reserves and parks, and tree-only resource consent applications. He also assisted the NZ Police following a fatal oak tree failure, providing evidence at the subsequent coroner's inquest.

Andrew Benson, urban tree ecophysiologist and arboricultural consultant

Andrew Benson

Urban Tree Ecophysiologist

Andrew holds degrees in biomolecular science and arboriculture, along with a PhD in forestry. His specialism is urban tree ecophysiology — finding practical answers to everyday problems involving trees in the built environment.

He works closely with engineers and architects to integrate established trees into new urban design, and collaborates with universities and academics on ongoing research.

A highly regarded researcher, Andrew has won several prestigious awards, serves on three technical review committees, and is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture and NZArb.

Matthew Clifford, consulting arborist specialising in site monitoring

Matthew Clifford

Consulting Arborist

Matthew's primary focus is the monitoring and supervision of development and construction sites, ensuring work complies with consent conditions.

He entered the industry in 2011 as an apprentice with his local council in the United Kingdom, then moved into a tree surveying role carrying out risk assessments and handling public tree enquiries.

Since joining The Tree Consultancy Company in 2019, his work centres on helping clients understand how a proposed development may affect nearby trees, and how best to retain and incorporate them into the finished design.

Need experienced tree consultants?

Tell us about your site or project and we'll point you in the right direction.

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