Our Team of Qualified Tree Surgeons in the North East
At The Tree Fella, we believe great tree care starts with great people. We’re a family-run, Arb Approved Contractor with deep roots in the North East, and we’ve grown into the highest rated tree surgeons in the region – thanks to our incredible team.
With over 500 five-star reviews, it’s not just our skills that make us stand out – it’s the dedication, professionalism, and hard graft of our crew that really makes the difference. Whether you need expert tree pruning, safe tree removal, or ongoing maintenance – meet the team below:
“Genuinely a lovey group of people doing fantastic work and always reasonably priced. Highly recommended.”
Anthony Wright – Boldon
Simon Forster – Director and Principal Arborist
Simon is the Principal Arborist and founder of The Tree Fella, which he established in 2018 and is now an Arb Approved Contractor and Trust Mark Registered Business. Before moving into arboriculture, he spent 12 years with Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue, rising to Watch Manager. His mission is to provide a consistent, outstanding, and educational Arboricultural experience for every customer in the North East.
A Professional Member of the Arboricultural Association with 10 years in the industry, Simon holds a Level 4 in Arboriculture, is a registered QTRA user, holds LANTRA Professional Tree Inspection and Basic Tree Survey & Inspection certificates, and has completed the LANTRA Internal Tree Inspection Programme. His skills cover aerial tree work and rescue, rigging, MEWP work (IPAF 1b and 3b), felling up to 760mm, chainsaw maintenance, woodchippers and stump grinders, with PA1, PA6 and S1 street works qualifications, underground services training, IOSH Managing Safely, Mental Health Awareness for Managers, forestry Emergency First Aid at Work and 144 hours of CPD in the last 12 months.
Whether you’re looking for tree services in South Tyneside, a tree surgeon in Sunderland, a tree surgeon Gateshead locals trust, or tree surgery across the North East, Simon and his team provide expert care for your trees, from pruning and tree removal to stump grinding and hedge trimming.
Kaara Forster – Client Lead
At The Tree Fella, clear and friendly communication is just as important as expert tree care. Kaara Forster heads up our client communications, making sure every customer receives prompt updates, helpful advice, and a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish.
Whether you’re arranging a quote, scheduling work, or following up on a project, Kaara is your point of contact – keeping everything running like clockwork behind the scenes, so the rest of the team can focus on what they do best: delivering outstanding tree care services across the North East.
“Great job by Simon and his team. Several trees removed and others cut back. Reasonable price and no mess left behind. Would definitely recommend. Thanks once again.”
Lesley Whitehead – Hebburn
Ryan Mitchell – Team Leader
With around 18 years of hands-on experience in the industry, climbing arborist & team leader Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and a calm, steady hand to every project, and has been with The Tree Fella since 2023. He holds a Level 3 in Arboriculture, IPAF 1b and 3b tickets, street works qualifications in signing, lighting and guarding and locating underground services, IOSH Managing Safely and forestry Emergency First Aid at Work, and has recently added Arboricultural Theory & Principles of Tree Work.
His experience covers aerial tree work and rescue, rigging, felling up to 760mm and utility work near overhead electrical lines. Known for his methodical approach and commitment to doing the job right the first time, Ryan is the kind of leader who makes even the toughest jobs look like a walk in the park. Whether it’s a complex tree removal or a delicate canopy reduction, you can trust Ryan to deliver the best solution, keeping every project firmly rooted in safety and efficiency.
Louis Hudson – Team Leader
Our climbing arborist & team leader, Louis, has around 9 years of experience within tree surgery, joined The Tree Fella in 2023, and is another standout figure in the local arborist community. He holds a Level 3 in Arboriculture, IPAF 1b and 3b tickets, street works qualifications in signing, lighting and guarding and locating underground services, IOSH Managing Safely and forestry Emergency First Aid at Work, and has recently added Arboricultural Theory & Principles of Tree Work. He is also a qualified LOLER examiner, able to carry out statutory inspections of lifting and climbing equipment.
Louis’ passion for tree care is matched only by his attention to detail and relentless work ethic, with an eye for both structure and tree health. Louis is known for his professionalism, reliability, and dedication to delivering work that’s a cut above the rest.
Jamie Witts – Team Leader
Team leader Jamie has around five and a half years of experience in arboriculture and joined The Tree Fella in April 2025. He holds a Level 2 in Arboriculture, which he has since built on with Arboricultural Theory & Principles of Tree Work, alongside IPAF 1b and 3b tickets, the O1 street works qualification in signing, lighting and guarding, and forestry Emergency First Aid at Work.
His safety training includes IOSH Working Safely and Managing Safely, Category A Asbestos Awareness and Risk Assessment Awareness, and he is a qualified Fire Warden. His experience covers aerial tree work and rescue, felling and cross-cutting, and he keeps up his CPD throughout the year, making Jamie a safe pair of hands on every job.
“Excellent! Had several conifer stumps removed, they were done in no time and left the garden tidy. Really reasonable price too. Definitely recommend.”
Jessica Cormack – South Shields
What It’s Like Working With Our Team of Tree Surgeons
- Free Quotes – Chat to our knowledgeable team and find out exactly what’s needed
- Client Portal Access – Stay in the loop with quotes, bookings, and invoices
- Quick Turnaround – Most jobs are scheduled within a few weeks of initial consultation
- Locally Loved – Check out the hundreds of customer reviews from your neighbours in South Tyneside, Sunderland and beyond
Insured, Accredited & Recommended
Tree experts putting health and safety first whilst & delivering excellence. We’re insured too, just in case.
We respect our staff, because our staff respect our customers. It’s a great relationship to have!
Our customers are your neighbours. Ask around and we’re confident we’ll be recommended.
Book An Initial Consultation With Our Tree Specialists
If you’re ready to work with a team that’s rooted in experience and growing a reputation for excellence, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s pruning, felling, or hedge cutting, let The Tree Fella team handle the heavy lifting – we’re experts at turning over a new leaf. Book an appointment today.
