Arborist Reports

What is an Arborist Report

An Arborist Report is a document prepared by a minimum AQF level 5 qualified consulting arborist that addresses all regulatory requirements for State and Local Government development applications, especially catering for the resolution of conflicting needs:

• how to best manage the required retention of trees while still maximising the Building Envelope

• balancing urban development

• sustainable ecosystems and the carbon footprint.

Arborist Reports can be called on for Council Development Applications, insurance claim assessment and our Arborists can be called as expert witnesses.  

Why do I need an Arborist Report?

Arborist Reports are useful for many reasons, including:

• For local council Development Applications (Arboricultural Impact Assessments, Tree Retention Plans & Vegetation Management Plans) 

• For your property or a recently purchased property with existing garden, large or small or maybe a garden protected by a heritage listing, Vegetation Orders or council protection. All trees and plantings can be catalogued and the Arborist Report will form part of your new Landscape Plan

• For dispute resolution

With an Arborist Report, you can plan according to your budget attending to any urgent works immediately and schedule further work on a managed basis. This is particularly useful for a larger private garden, corporate or public facility.

An Arborist Report is a legal document evidencing your informed approach to your asset management which can therefore assist to mitigate the legal liability associated with the trees and other vegetation on your property.

For trees on privately owned residential property

An Arborist Report can provide advice on:

• Beautiful aging trees in your garden which require restoration, remedial pruning and care

• Significant or favourite tree which is currently in declining health

• Long term planning to ensure the best care of trees in your garden

• Recommended pruning to minimize the likelihood of trees causing damage to buildings on the property during storms

• Neighbour concerns relating to trees from your property overhanging into their property

• The likelihood of your neighbour’s tree falling into your property

• Protection of the trees in your garden during earth or construction works on your property

• Trees within the proposed building envelope of a new house, extension or driveway on your property/your neighbour’s property

• Compliance with local council tree regulations and planned building works

• Advice on appropriate tree species for a suburban garden and surrounding infrastructure

• Tree selection and care in a drought prone climate

• Appropriate tree species which will help reduce your family’s carbon footprint

For Trees On The Property You Would Like To Buy

An Arborist Report can provide you with useful information on the property you are looking to buy, including:

• What sort of trees are present?

• What are the likely future maintenance costs associated with the trees on this property?

• What are my new local council tree regulations?

• How can I build a new house/renovate the existing house and comply with my local council tree regulations?

For Trees On Commercial Property Development

An Arborist Report can be helpful at many stages in the development process:

• Council requires an Arborist Report as part of a Development Application for new building works

• Trees are a valuable asset and you would like to maximize the carbon neutral position of new building construction works/ subdivision/new residential development

• Tree selection and care in a drought prone climate

• Tree Farming – From development of a Business Plan to commissioning of a new enterprise

Reading an Arborist Report from Independent Arboricultural Services

• All trees identified in our arborist reports will be described by their botanical and common names.

• All arboricultural recommendations contained in the report will have been determined in accordance with Australian Standards AS 4373-2007 - Pruning of amenity trees and AS 4970 – 2009 – Protection of trees on development sites.

• Reference to a Consulting or Project Arborist means an arboricultural specialist who holds (minimum) arboricultural qualifications of Dip Arb/AQF 5, appropriate professional insurances and has appropriate experience in the protection of trees on construction sites.

• Where tree work is specified, all recommended tree work is to be carried out in accordance with the above-mentioned standards by an appropriately trained and AQF qualified arborist practitioner/s with an up-to-date record of training and membership of a recognised Australian arboricultural association, e.g. QAA, Arboriculture Australia (AA), or a recognised international arboricultural association. No climbing spikes are to be used if pruning is to be carried out on live trees except in the instance of an emergency.

Other services and reports include Technical Testing (Picus, Resistograph, Ground Penetrating Radar, Thermal Imaging, soil & tissue, etc.); Vegetation Management Plan (VMP); Vegetation assessments; NATSPEC/AS2303 Certification; Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ & QTRA); Tree Transplant (Large & small), Tree Farm design and establishment, Project Management & planning; pest & disease diagnosis and planning; dispute resolution involving neighbourhood tree/s.

When seeking the services of a reputable Consulting Arborist, you should seek assurance that all recommendations for required tree work will be made in accordance with the Australian Standards AS 4373:2007- pruning of amenity trees and AS 4970:2009- protection of trees on development sites.

We hold current industry memberships with the Queensland Arboricultural Association, Arboriculture Australia and the International Society of Arboriculture.