Arborist Reports
Arborist Reports and Tree Reports
Why Use an Arborist
Local councils and others often require a Tree Report, Arborist Report, or Consulting Arborist Services for planning and development purposes.
Others may need to have a Tree Management Plan, Construction Impact Assessment, Project Arborist, Pre Purchase Arbo or Tree Assessment for a tree they are concerned about, are planning a building project, addition or for various reasons require a tree or trees to be examined. Neighbouring or other trees can be impacting on a property.
We provide Consulting Arborist Services for a wide range of reasons.
Properties are often under the control of Planning Overlays which can protect trees and restrict their removal or sometimes pruning where some tree works may require a permit.
We deal with Planning Overlays and Tree Laws as part of our Consulting Arborists Services providing Arborist Reports and Tree Reports for such and other purposes.
We provide our Consulting Arborist Services for Planning Applications of all sorts whether for a simple household addition or a large commercial development.
Arborist Report or Tree Report
It is prudent when planning a development project to engage an arborist to examine trees on site and surrounding trees that could be impacted by the proposed development.
We have seen developments planned, architectural and other drawings completed prior to an arborist being consulted and the development has not been able to proceed because of trees that were not legally able to be removed.
Our Consulting Arborist Services can examine trees and determine what trees can be removed, retained and methods used where possible to build near or around the
AS 4970
Australian Standard 4970 Protection of Trees on Development Sites was established in 2009 and is commonly used as a standard to evaluate trees not just on construction sites but for various purposes. Councils mostly require Consulting Arborist Services to use AS 4970 methods and other information in their Tree Reports, Construction Management Plans and other reports as required. Our Consulting Arborist Reports use AS 4970 to establish amongst other things as required: Tree Protection Zones, Structural Root Zones, encroachment calculations and the like within the Planning Process
Tree Data Collection
Either with the aid of a survey file or using GIS tools we map tree locations and provide all relevant information as required by councils and others.
We provide Tree Data Collection Services for architects, building designers,developers, councils, golf courses, parks and in fact any place where trees are located.
We provide Tree Data as per AS 4970 or as may be required by councils or specifically as requested.
Tree Management and Protection Plans
As part of AS 4970 – Protection of Trees on Developments Sites councils and others often require a Tree Management and Protection Plan.
A Tree Management / Protection Plan is like an Occupational Health and Safety Plan for Trees or a Tree. It protects trees and tries to ensure all involved in a development project are instructed, educated and protected trees are continually monitored to ensure they are not damaged. A Project Arborist is often appointed to work with the site manager to ensure through defined stages of a project at all times trees are not negatively impacted upon and continually adequately protected.
Hazardous Trees and Risk Assessment
Trees can be dangerous and can cause asset damage, injury or worse. Some trees may require removal, or remedial works. We examine trees for defects, advice on remedial works, and can recommended tree contractors to carry out any works required.
To measure for decay tools such as a Picus Tomograph or Arbotom can be used to send sound impulses through a series of sensors attached to a tree’s trunk and monitored through a computer where the data is collected. Stress waves travel through sound wood faster than through damaged wood. Sensors around the tree measure the time it takes an impulse to travel through the wood and reach the other sensors. The collected data is simultaneously sent to a computer which will turn the data into a coloured image of the tree’s cross-section.
Tools can also be used to map roots systems and establish what decay may be present.
Pre Purchase Arborist Advice
We are regularly asked to visit properties and advise prospective purchasers about the trees on site or neighbouring trees that may be dangerous trees or difficult to deal with if a development is planned.
Non Destructive Root Investigations (NDRI)
We carry out NDRIs often to establish how close it is possible to build, put a driveway in or other structure near a tree. These NDRIs are always carried out as per AS 4970 either by hand or using hydro excavation to establish what tree roots are present. We have carried out well over 100 Non Destructive Root Investigations and a vast majority of them have been successful.
Native Vegetation - Net Gain Assessments
Often when the removal of native vegetation is required dependant upon property size, type and amount of vegetation or trees planned to be removed, a Net Gain Assessment is required. Our Consulting Arborist Services can provide and co-ordinate Net Gain Assessments as required.
Waterways and Creeks
As part of our Landscape Design and Consulting Arborist Services we have completed a number of water way re vegetation projects dealing with bodies like Melbourne Water, councils, developers and contractors involved in such works. We can design and project manage vegetation and re vegetation projects of all sorts and are regularly engaged to do so.
