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Forty years ago, a passion for trees, innovation, and doing things differently laid the foundations for what would become one of Australia’s most respected arboricultural companies – the Arbor Centre Group.
Founded in 1985 by Rob Bodenstaff, Arbor Centre began not as a grand business plan, but as a journey driven by curiosity, determination, and a deep respect for trees and the environments they shape. Today, as the company celebrates its 40-year milestone, it also marks the beginning of a new chapter, with Rob’s sons now leading the business into the future.
A Different Way of Thinking About Trees
Rob’s journey into arboriculture began after moving to Western Australia in the 1970s. Starting as a trainee with the City of Perth while studying horticulture, he quickly realised there had to be a better way to understand and manage trees.
Rather than seeing trees as obstacles to be cut back or removed, Rob became fascinated by how trees naturally respond and adapt. That mindset, revolutionary at the time, became the foundation of Arbor Centre’s philosophy.
“I would look at trees differently to most other people,” Rob recalls. “Instead of just cutting them, it was about understanding how trees respond and how you can work with them.”
That passion eventually took him to England, where he completed intensive arboriculture training that reinforced the direction he was already heading. It was there he discovered a global industry dedicated to the science and management of trees, and the possibilities it offered.
The Birth of Arbor Centre
In 1985, Arbor Centre was officially established after earlier ventures including landscaping and tree surgery work. From the beginning, the business focused on innovation, practical problem-solving, and pushing the boundaries of what was possible in arboriculture.
One of the company’s earliest breakthroughs came in mature tree transplanting, an area where Rob would become internationally recognised.
At the time, moving large trees typically meant transporting enormous root balls weighing hundreds of tonnes. Rob challenged the conventional thinking and developed methods to dramatically reduce root ball size while still maintaining tree health and survival.
Through innovative root preparation systems and specialised transplanting techniques, Arbor Centre was able to move massive mature trees with far greater efficiency and success than previously thought possible.
Those techniques would go on to shape some of the company’s most iconic projects.
Industry Leadership and Landmark Projects
As Arbor Centre’s reputation grew, so did the scale of its work.
Rob became heavily involved in developing the arboriculture industry in Western Australia, helping establish professional associations, conferences, and training opportunities during a time when the industry itself was still emerging.
Arbor Centre’s work soon expanded nationally and internationally, with projects across Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. The company became known for tackling projects others considered too difficult or too risky.
One of the most significant was Melbourne’s CityLink Project in the 1990s.
Faced with the challenge of protecting and relocating historic 120–150-year-old elm trees during major tunnel construction works, the project team turned to Arbor Centre. Over several years, Rob and his team carefully prepared, transplanted, stored, and replanted mature trees on a scale rarely attempted anywhere in the world.
The success of that project cemented Arbor Centre’s reputation as a leader in mature tree relocation and arboricultural innovation.
Other landmark projects followed, including work around Sydney’s Circular Quay prior to the Olympics, major transplanting works in Singapore, and countless significant projects throughout Western Australia.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Learning
Even after decades in the industry, Rob’s commitment to learning never stopped.
In 2013, he returned to university-level study, completing advanced arboriculture qualifications alongside younger members of the Arbor Centre team. It reflected something that has always been central to the company, the belief that expertise comes from continually evolving, learning, and improving.
That mindset has helped Arbor Centre remain at the forefront of arboriculture for four decades.
The Next Generation
Over the past 10 years, Arbor Centre has continued to diversify and evolve, with a strong focus on preparing the next generation to lead the business forward.
Today, Rob’s sons have officially taken the reins, continuing the family legacy while building on the strong foundations established over the past 40 years.
While the company has grown enormously since 1985, the core values remain unchanged:
- Respect for trees and the environments they support
- Innovation and practical problem-solving
- Technical excellence
- A commitment to doing things properly
Celebrating 40 Years
Forty years is a remarkable milestone in any industry, particularly one built on long-term thinking, patience, and growth.
From humble beginnings in Perth to nationally and internationally recognised projects, Arbor Centre’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and passion for arboriculture.
Most importantly, it is a story about people, the relationships built over decades with clients, councils, contractors, communities, and the dedicated team members who helped shape the business along the way.
As Arbor Centre celebrates 40 years, it also looks confidently toward the future continuing to farm, supply and care for new trees, as well as move, protect, retain and nurture some of Australia’s most significant trees for generations to come.
It is this breadth of services from seed to palliative care for trees, that provides the foundations of arboricultural experience and expertise that were are uniquely placed to bring to the other professions….. the ability to interpret trees and their circumstances and thereby, inform and support professions like Urban Planners, Landscape Architects and Engineers…. It is this grounding on evidence based science that ACG consultancy brings to the table and continues developing as an industry leader in arboricultural consultancy in WA.
Get in touch with us today!
📧 ua.moc.ertnecrobra@seiriuqne
📞 (08) 9359 9300
visit www.arborcentre.com.au