It is important to get the appropriate approval before you cut down a tree on your land.

Council requires that applications for a complying development certificate for the removal of a tree be accompanied by a report prepared by an arborist who holds the Diploma of Horticulture (Arboriculture) qualification.

An arborist (as defined in Council’s LEP) is a specialist in the diagnosis and reporting of individual trees. Some of the matters listed below will not be relevant to reporting the health and condition of a tree for a complying development certificate. Some of the matters refer specifically to reporting on trees on proposed development sites.

Guidelines for preparing an arborist report for tree removal

Whilst each arborist will approach the task of tree diagnosis and reporting differently, there are some common matters that need to be addressed in most tree reports.

The following matters should be addressed in an arborist report submitted to Council:

• The full name, business address, telephone number(s), evidence of technical qualifications(s) and the experience of the arborist carrying out the tree inspection, diagnosis and reporting
• The full address of the site containing trees
• The full name of the person or company for whom the report is prepared
• The methods and techniques used in the site and tree inspection
• A suitably scaled plan of the site showing: - the location of all trees on the site and any trees on adjoining land which overhang the subject land; the lot boundaries; the location of above and below ground services/ utilities in proximity to the trees shown
• A table showing for each tree surveyed: the common and full scientific name; the age class; the estimated height; the trunk diameter at 1.4 metres; the canopy spread to the four cardinal points; a summary of the trees’ health and structural condition; an estimation of the trees useful life expectancy using appropriate industry methods
• A summary and/ or discussion of other relevant tree and site information such as soil and drainage characteristics, wildlife habitation, roof structure and distribution, pests and diseases, and tree hazard assessment details
• Tree hazard assessments should be conducted and recorded in accordance with industry best practice
• Supporting evidence such as annotated photographs and laboratory results if relevant to the proposed works or to assist in describing tree or site conditions
• A discussion of all options available, including why they are recommended or not recommended, eg can a built structure be relocated, repaired and tree(s) retained?
• A review of the implications of the proposed development on the health and structural condition of trees to be retained
• A description of the recommended protection measures to be put in place to ensure the protection of trees to be retained, and a description of any proposed method of tree removal
• A list of recommendations and the reasons for their adoption
• The sources of technical information referred to in the report References not used in the report should not be included
• Present information as objectively as possible without attempting to support a specific development outcome
• Provide the scientific and common names of all tree species proposed for planting, including recommendations on the size and quality characteristics of trees to be planted.

For further details on preparing a tree report please contact Urban Trees on 02 4974 6043 or an appropriate industry organisation.