The Arboricultural Association

What The Arboricultural Association does

The Arboricultural Association is a UK-based professional membership body for arboriculturists, founded in 1964 and structured as a registered charity (no. 1083845) and private limited company (Arboricultural Association Ltd., company number 4070377). It serves individual tree-care professionals, contracting businesses, consultants, corporate members, and tree owners, operating across the UK and Ireland with international reach through partnerships. Its portfolio centers on three accreditation schemes — ARB Approved Contractor (ISO 9001 / UKAS accredited since 2012 and SSIP registered), AA Registered Consultant (AARC), and Utility Approved Contractor — alongside an eight-tier membership program ranging from free Student to £375 Corporate, and an annual training catalogue of over 100 courses delivered to roughly 2,789 learners.

The Association generates revenue across six streams: annual membership subscriptions, professional training courses (member discounts up to 35%), conference and event ticket sales (Annual Conference, ARB Show), publication and merchandise sales (ARB Magazine quarterly, Arboricultural Journal four times yearly, eBooks, branded merchandise), accreditation application and renewal fees, and on-demand digital content. It operates a 10-branch network across the UK and Ireland running 46+ local events per year, alongside free Wednesday Webinars reaching 125 countries and an owned website averaging 2 million views annually. Its underlying technology stack is standard web infrastructure — WorldPay and PayPal for payments, Zoom and GoTo for virtual events, Google Analytics for site measurement — with no proprietary platform or AI capability. Strategic positioning rests on regulatory-grade accreditation procurement barriers, brand authority as the UK's recognized arboriculture body, and a multi-sided ecosystem of members, accredited firms, consultants, and a 50+ supplier discount network.

The Association is governed by a member-elected Board of Trustees, is independently funded (no venture capital or private equity), and is increasingly framed as an international as well as national leader. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

The Arboricultural Association

Legal name

Arboricultural Association Ltd.

Website

https://trees.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Arboricultural Association is a UK professional membership body, founded in 1964, serving arboriculturists, tree-surgery contractors, consultants, and corporate members through accreditation schemes (ARB Approved Contractor, AARC, Utility Approved), tiered membership, training, publications, and the annual ARB Show.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry, Arboriculture & Silviculture (EDAOAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Governance & Board Effectiveness Advisory (BPAHAFAC)

Keywords

• Arboriculture professional membership
• Tree care accreditation
• Arboricultural training courses
• Tree surgery contractor scheme
• Professional association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stonehouse

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees from individual and corporate members across various grades including Student, Foundation, Associate, Technician, Professional, Fellow, and Corporate tiers.
2. Training Courses: Revenue from over 100 training courses per year covering arboricultural topics, with member discounts up to 35%.
3. Conference and Events: Annual Conference, ARB Show, and various events with ticket sales and sponsorship.
4. Publication Sales: Sales of books, eBooks, and merchandise including The Tree Care Manual, The Biodiversity of Pollarded Trees, and ARB Magazine subscriptions.
5. Accreditation Fees: Fees for AA Registered Consultant scheme (AARC) and ARB Approved Contractor Scheme, including application and annual renewal fees.
6. On-Demand Content: Sales of recorded conference sessions and educational content for on-demand viewing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Arboricultural Association is a UK-based professional membership organization that provides training, accreditation, and resources for the arboriculture industry. Its core offerings include multi-grade membership subscriptions, professional accreditation schemes (ARB Approved Contractor, AA Registered Consultant, and Utility Approved Contractor), over 100 annual training courses, publications (ARB Magazine and Arboricultural Journal), and major events such as the ARB Show and Annual Conference.

Product overview

The Arboricultural Association offers a comprehensive membership-based portfolio of products and services for the tree care profession. The core offering centers on professional accreditation schemes (ARB Approved Contractor, AA Registered Consultant, and Utility Approved Contractor), multiple membership grades (Student through Fellow), and over 100 annual training courses. The Association provides publications including the ARB Magazine (quarterly) and Arboricultural Journal (international research journal), alongside digital learning through eLearning courses and On-Demand event recordings. Major annual events include The ARB Show trade fair and the National Amenity Conference. Additional services encompass professional registrations (Chartered Environmentalist, REnvP, REnvTech), grants and awards programs, a supplier discounts catalogue, technical support resources, and a job finder platform. The Association operates through a branch network across the UK and Ireland and maintains an ISA partnership for international certification pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARB Approved Contractor Scheme: The national accreditation scheme for professional tree surgery businesses in the United Kingdom, ISO 9001 (UKAS) accredited since 2012.
• AA Registered Consultant (AARC) Scheme
• Utility Approved Contractor Scheme
• The ARB Show
• Women in Arboriculture (WIA)

Products and services

• Membership Program Multi-grade annual membership program for arboriculture professionals including Student (free), Foundation, Associate, Technician, Professional, Fellow, Corporate, and Retired grades with access to publications, training discounts, branch network events, technical support, and supplier discounts.
• ARB Approved Contractor Scheme Accreditation scheme for professional tree surgery businesses across the UK. ISO 9001 (UKAS) accredited since 2012 and registered member of SSIP, providing a benchmark for contracting and increasingly required by Local Authorities and commercial organisations.
• AA Registered Consultant Scheme Professional consultancy accreditation scheme recognised throughout the industry as representing the highest level of attainment for arboricultural consultants, with rigorous assessment process and ongoing Quality Assurance.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3000 members in UK and internationally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arboricultural Association is an Associate Organisation of the ISA, providing members access to ISA qualifications such as TRAQ and Certified Arborist credentials through the AA Study Programme. Both organisations collaborate on professional development and international standards.
• European Arboricultural CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Association serves as UK & Ireland representatives to the European Arboricultural Council, promoting UK arboriculture through participation in working groups and meetings.
• PerennialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity providing AA members with free confidential advice, support and financial assistance to members and their families whether working or retired.
• Lantra AwardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited courses including Professional Tree Inspection and Basic Tree Survey and Inspection are Lantra Awards accredited qualifications.
• Access All Areas (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented on cross-sector groups such as Access All Areas equality, diversity and inclusion strategy for horticulture.
• Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped strong relationships with government departments including Defra for policy engagement and consultations.
• DWP (Department for Work & Pensions)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with DWP on promoting arboriculture careers through Jobcentres, school and prison career days.
• All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gardening and HorticultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembers participate in political activity through the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gardening and Horticulture and Environmental Horticulture Group.
• TrustMarkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrustMark is a Government Endorsed Quality scheme that ARB Approved Contractors can access for £65 + VAT per year, adding credibility and government endorsement to their accreditation.
• SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement Forum)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSIP is the umbrella organisation for recognised health & safety schemes in the UK. ARB Approved Contractor Scheme is a registered member, bringing acceptance and credibility to scheme members.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Royal Forestry Society: UK educational charity promoting the wise management of woods and forests through membership, publications, and events. Comparable as a UK membership-based forestry organisation offering education, qualifications, and member services in adjacent forestry/tree-care territory.
• European Arboricultural Council: European umbrella body for arboricultural organisations of which the Arboricultural Association is the UK & Ireland representative. Highly comparable as a federation of national arboriculture associations promoting standards and professional development across Europe.
• Arbor Day Foundation: US-based nonprofit dedicated to planting and celebrating trees, with member programmes, publications, and conservation campaigns. Functionally analogous as a national tree-focused membership organisation promoting tree planting, care standards, and consumer education, though operating primarily in the US market.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Global professional association for arborists offering Certified Arborist credentials, TRAQ qualification, and continuing education. Direct functional peer to the Arboricultural Association, with which it has an Associate Organisation relationship; both compete and collaborate on professional standards worldwide.
• Institute of Chartered Foresters: UK chartered professional body for foresters and arboriculturists, offering Chartered Forester and Chartered Arboriculturist status. Closely comparable as a UK professional membership body focused on forestry and arboriculture credentials, standards, and CPD.

Broad incumbents

• British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI): UK trade association for landscape professionals, including grounds maintenance and tree-care contractors. Comparable as a UK industry body operating Approved Contractor/Register schemes and CPD/training for landscaping professionals, partially overlapping with the Arboricultural Association's contractor accreditation.
• Woodland Trust: UK's largest woodland conservation charity with extensive membership, tree-planting programmes, and public engagement. Comparable as a UK charity promoting tree conservation, education, and public engagement, with significant membership and brand presence in the same ecosystem.
• Lantra: UK Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries, accrediting training and awarding qualifications. Directly comparable as the accreditation body for several of the Arboricultural Association's training courses, and a partner in setting occupational standards.
• Society for the Environment: UK umbrella body awarding Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP), and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registrations - credentials the Arboricultural Association offers to its members. Highly comparable as a professional registration body whose environmental credentials are co-branded with member organisations.

Emerging players

• Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG): UK charitable think-tank promoting the role of trees in the built environment through policy, research, and guidance. Comparable as a UK tree-focused organisation producing standards and influencing planning/development policy, with a more research-driven, policy-focused mission than the Arboricultural Association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/arbassociation.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1YTEXneErDj6qmV8Cd6njQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Arboricultural-Association/135799599823455
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-arboricultural-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/arboricultural_association

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Arboricultural Association