A consulting arborist is a qualified professional who provides specialised tree care and management advice to various clients, including architects, developers, civil contractors, schools, parks, and other organisations. They play a crucial role in helping clients make informed decisions, plan construction or development projects around existing trees, and ensure the health and safety of trees as valuable assets.
Our arborists at Arbor Express hold the AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) Level 5 qualification, the highest level that arborists can achieve in Australia. This ensures our team is well-equipped to deliver accurate and reliable arborist reports and services for any client.
Most types of hazards that can occur in a tree can be detected through external visual assessments. A Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) is a recognised and common method used to assess a tree's health and condition. An arborist experienced in the VTA method will observe and diagnose signs of a tree's external response to potential hazards, such as cracks, decay, physical damage, adverse growing conditions, and other growth-related defects.
Arbor Express offers expert assessments of neighboring trees to identify and address potential issues. Our skilled Level 5 Arborists conduct thorough evaluations, providing insight into tree health, structural integrity, and any potential risks. This comprehensive assessment enables us to offer tailored recommendations and solutions, fostering a safer and healthier environment for both property owners and their neighbors.
Arbor Express is committed to ensuring the timely completion of arborist reports to meet council deadlines. With our efficient and experienced team of Level 5 Arborists, we prioritise a streamlined process to gather necessary data, conduct assessments, and compile comprehensive reports promptly. Our dedication to professionalism and adherence to industry standards enable us to guarantee the timely submission of arborist reports, facilitating a smooth and compliant interaction with local councils.
If a tree is identified in the tree survey during the proposal for renovations or developments, both on the subject site and within 5 meters of the boundaries on adjoining land, the Council will necessitate an Arboricultural Impact Assessment. This assessment should outline the strategies for managing or protecting the tree(s) during the development process and document what trees are being removed.
The root system resembles the branches of trees but is flattened and situated close to the surface of the ground, with roots primarily extending within the top 60cm of soil depth. Larger roots, termed structural roots, provide essential support to ensure the tree remains upright and stable. Meanwhile, smaller, finer roots, known as feeder roots, are responsible for water and nutrient uptake.
In essence, these roots collectively play a crucial role in maintaining the tree's vitality and stability. Damage to the root system can have significant consequences for the health and stability of the tree. In some instances damage to the structural roots of a tree can cause it to fall over.
We are available to assist you in selecting the appropriate tree species based on your specific requirements. Additionally, we provide guidance on proper planting techniques and the selection of high-quality stock. Emphasising the importance of planting stock in accordance with AS 2303:2018 Tree stock for landscape use is crucial, as poor-quality plants can lead to future problems—an outcome you undoubtedly want to avoid.
A consulting arborist is a qualified professional who provides specialised tree care and management advice to various clients, including architects, developers, civil contractors, schools, parks, and other organisations. They play a crucial role in helping clients make informed decisions, plan construction or development projects around existing trees, and ensure the health and safety of trees as valuable assets.
Arboriculture is a science, and consulting arborists have the training and certification to navigate complex issues, often involving multiple stakeholders and specific requirements.
For clients such as schools and parks, consulting arborists help fulfill their duty of care to provide a safe environment for the community. Scheduled site visits and tree management plans assist in budgeting for tree care, reducing the need for expensive, urgent tree work. Architectural, developer, and civil clients benefit from the added advantage of the consulting arborist's expertise in navigating planning and development requirements, ultimately streamlining the project process.
An Arboricultural Impact Assessment is a report created by a qualified consulting arborist to evaluate the potential impact of development designs and construction on the trees that are intended to be retained on a property. This assessment is crucial for ensuring that development activities do not adversely affect nearby trees. The assessment process adheres to the methods outlined in The Australian Standard Protection of Trees on Development Sites (AS 4970).
Typically, an Arboricultural Impact Assessment follows a preliminary arboricultural assessment. Conducting a preliminary assessment expedites the Arboricultural Impact Assessment process, thus accelerating the development application process.
Most local councils or authorities will require an Arboricultural Impact Assessment when there is proposed development in proximity to a tree, whether it is on private or public land. It is commonly regarded as standard practice to include any tree within 10 meters of the development, provided it has a Diameter at Breast Height (DBH – measured 1.4 meters above ground level) of 25 cm or greater.
Some councils have stringent guidelines specifying the expectations for each arboricultural report and may reject reports that do not meet their requirements.
To conduct an Arboricultural Impact Assessment, certain information and documents are required. Firstly, any Request for Further Information from the relevant authority (if applicable) should be provided so that the assessment can directly address their requirements. Secondly, the builder's or architect's plans or drawings, often in a CAD file (computer-aided design), are needed. Essentially, accurate and up-to-date designs and the location of any proposed construction or building footprint are essential.
A site assessment is then conducted to locate and measure all relevant trees. This information, combined with ArborCAD software (specifically designed for arborists), is used to calculate the percentage of encroachment that the proposed construction has into the protection zones of the trees. The result is a professional arboricultural report that includes a Tree Protection Plan, which can be submitted to the council as part of the development application.
To prepare an Arboricultural Impact Assessment, an arborist should have at least a Diploma in Arboriculture (Australian Qualification Framework Level 5) and demonstrated experience in tree assessment and report writing. Arborists with an AQF Level 5 qualification in arboriculture should be well-versed in the current Australian Standards for Protecting Trees on Development Sites (AS 4970-2009) and the legislative acts in place to safeguard trees.
Our consultants possess these qualifications or higher and have extensive familiarity with AS 4970. Feel free to contact one of our consulting arborists to arrange an assessment for the trees on your development site today.
A Preliminary Arboriculture Assessment is a report prepared by a qualified consulting arborist. This assessment involves gathering quantitative and qualitative information about the existing trees on a site and provides crucial information for all stakeholders involved in site development.
One of the key aspects of a preliminary assessment is evaluating the suitability of each tree for retention. Not all trees can or should be retained, and some may need to be removed before construction commences. Conversely, certain trees can be assets to a development and might be integrated into site designs to enhance amenity and value for future occupants. Additionally, some trees may be protected by state or national legislation, making it imperative to identify and address these considerations early in the design process.
To illustrate the importance of a preliminary assessment, consider a scenario where you skip this step and unknowingly damage a protected tree during construction. Such a situation could lead to a Stop Work Notice, resulting in costly delays and potential fines imposed by local councils, depending on the tree's value.
In essence, a preliminary assessment is essential for a smooth development permit approval process.
If you are planning to develop a site with existing trees, engaging a qualified consulting arborist should be one of your initial steps. It is crucial to contact an arborist before hiring an architect or designer because the preliminary arboriculture assessment contains critical information that can influence site layout. Furthermore, the report can justify tree removal, assess biodiversity offsets, and help you understand the site's limitations.
Before conducting a preliminary assessment, accurate location data for all trees on the site is necessary. This survey can be conducted by the arborist or by a professional surveyor.
Preliminary reports prepared by consulting arborists are comprehensive and encompass both qualitative and quantitative considerations. They typically include:
The information collected during a preliminary assessment can be used in subsequent reports prepared by the consulting arborist.
The primary focus of the preliminary arboriculture assessment is to assess the significance and sustainability of each tree within the context of the landscape. In simpler terms, two key questions are addressed.
The primary focus of a preliminary arboriculture assessment is to evaluate the significance and sustainability of each tree in relation to the landscape. In essence, two key questions are addressed:
To answer these questions, consulting arborists utilize methodologies such as the Significance of a Tree Rating System (STARS) and Sustainability Retention Index Value (SRIV), developed by the Institute of Australian Consulting Agriculturalists (IACA). These methodologies also consider the life expectancy of the trees.
The outcomes of this assessment include an arborist report. This report identifies all high-value and healthy trees on a site plan, which can then be incorporated into the site's designs. Essentially, it delineates what can and cannot be cleared for development. The goal is to retain trees with a long life expectancy that will provide real value to both the property owner and future occupants.
Developers, architects, and designers benefit significantly from a preliminary arboriculture report because it helps in:
Additionally, these arborist reports serve as valuable tools in preventing the unintended loss of valuable community assets. They help:
The principle behind the saying "measure twice, cut once" applies to more than just cutting wood.
Without a preliminary assessment conducted by a certified arborist, you are likely to encounter issues with your development application. If your designers lack the correct information upfront, they may create a design that has unacceptable impacts on trees from the council's perspective. Consequently, the council may request consultation with an arborist, and the outcome may be disappointing: the need for a redesign.
Furthermore, starting construction without an understanding of Tree Protection Zones may lead to unintended tree damage. Severe damage to trees, to the point where they become unviable or structurally compromised, can result in their removal. If a tree is protected by legislation, you may be responsible for significant reparations, potentially amounting to tens of thousands of dollars, and your reputation with the council and community may suffer.
To avoid this costly and problematic process, provide your designers with accurate information from the outset. This will also facilitate the subsequent step, an arboricultural impact assessment, which details the impact that the designs will have on the trees.
Well-managed trees are a valuable asset for schools as they contribute to creating a peaceful and aesthetically pleasing environment. However, as trees mature, they can also become potential hazards, posing risks to those who utilize the school grounds. This is particularly concerning when it comes to tree failure, where a tree may unexpectedly collapse or fall, potentially leading to injuries or property damage.
Balancing the need to address tree-related risks while preserving the numerous benefits that trees offer is crucial. Trees contribute to improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, and provide shade and habitat for wildlife. Therefore, it's essential to manage tree risks responsibly and proportionately.
It's important to emphasise that while organizations, including schools, must manage the risk of tree failure, there is no need for alarmism or hasty removal of all trees. The aim is to address risks sensibly.
The duty of care refers to an organisation's responsibility to take reasonable measures to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals using their property. For schools, this duty entails safeguarding students, staff, and visitors from hazards on school grounds, including the risk of tree failure. Compliance with occupational health and safety laws and regulations is a legal obligation for schools, which includes the management of tree-related risks.
Qualified individuals with specific risk assessment qualifications for trees, such as TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification), VALID, and QTRA (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment), are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to assess tree-related risks comprehensively. These individuals have a background in arboriculture, horticulture, or plant science, ensuring they possess the expertise required to conduct high-standard tree risk assessments. It's important to note that the average tree lopper may not have the requisite skills to identify hazards and assess risks unless they can provide the qualifications mentioned.
Identifying hazardous trees or branches on school grounds is the initial step in managing the risk of tree failure. Various factors, such as disease, decay, insect infestation, structural defects, or storm damage, can contribute to tree hazards. Conducting a comprehensive survey of the school grounds and involving an arborist or tree specialist using established methodologies is crucial in identifying these hazards.
After identifying hazardous trees or branches, the next step is to assess the risks they pose. This assessment involves evaluating the likelihood and consequences of a tree falling or collapsing, the likelihood of causing harm, and the proximity of the tree to people, property, and infrastructure. This assessment, known as the target value, can be quantified based on the amount of time spent in the impact area.
Based on the risk assessment, schools should take measures to mitigate any intolerable risks identified. These measures could include removing the hazardous tree, pruning it to reduce risk, installing cable and bracing, or restricting people from lingering near the hazard.
When removal is necessary, it should be performed by a qualified arborist following safety protocols. Removal should also be executed with minimal disruption to the school environment and without posing risks to individuals or property.
After addressing high and medium priority risks, schools should regularly monitor and maintain their trees to ensure that the risk of tree failure remains acceptable. Regular inspections by an arborist or tree specialist, along with necessary pruning or maintenance, are part of preventive measures and should be integrated into the standard management cycle.
Schools should also establish a system to respond to changes or incidents that may impact tree stability, including monitoring for signs of disease, decay, or insect infestation, and taking prompt action to address any incidents that could pose risks to people or property.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff is a top priority for schools, and this includes managing tree-related risks on their premises. This duty of care necessitates a proactive approach to tree risk management through regular inspections and risk assessments. These assessments should encompass monitoring for signs of decay, disease, or structural issues that may increase the risk of tree failure. Additionally, schools should have a comprehensive tree management strategy that includes risk assessment, risk mitigation, monitoring, and preventive maintenance.
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