Tree guidelines
for pruning, reporting
and using an arborist
January 2020 Green Global Connected
Tree guidelines
Using Trees are large, complex and
living structures that usually
require some maintenance during
an arborist their lives. These guidelines will
help you choose an arborist and
understand different tree reports,
root mapping and pruning.
Engaging a consultant arborist Costs for consultant arborists
Please use a qualified arborist when seeking Consultant arborists charge for written and verbal
advice on your tree. It can take a tree decades advice. The cost of a tree report depends on
to reach maturity, but poor tree works can do the report type, scope and number of trees to
irreparable damage in just a few minutes. be assessed.
There are no standardised professional rates but
most consultant arborists have similar hourly rates
What a consultant arborist does to engineers and landscape architects. You should
agree on the consultancy fees and confirm this in
A consultant arborist advises on tree management writing before work starts.
advice and prepares tree reports. A practising
If we ask for further information after you send in
arborist or tree worker does tree pruning and
your application, the consultant arborist should not
removal works.
charge you for completing this. It’s their responsibility
We only accept tree reports prepared by consultant to ensure the application is complete and to quote
arborists with a qualification equivalent to the for these costs upfront.
Australian Qualifications Framework Level 5. The
If there are changes to the scope of work, or the
report is assessed by a City of Sydney officer who
consultant has to assess revised or new plans for
also holds this level of qualification. Tree reports
arboricultural impact assessment reports this is
must be impartial and only contain opinions that
likely to cost you extra. Where root mapping and
can be substantiated.
reporting has been recommended in a report,
Most consultant arborists are members of these works would be considered additional works,
professional organisations that require ongoing unless they were included in the original scope.
professional development. This helps ensure
they provide up-to-date and appropriate advice.
Insurance for a
consultant arborist
Consultant arborists should carry professional
indemnity and public liability insurance. Levels
of insurance cover vary. You will need to check if
the level of cover is adequate for your consultant
arborist’s services.
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Tree guidelines
Tree There are different types of
tree reports for different tree
management issues. If you’re
reports engaging a consultant arborist,
you’ll need to understand the
type of report that’s best for
your situation.
Arboricultural Pruning specification
assessment report A pruning specification details the pruning work
needed, including branch sizes and locations,
An arboricultural assessment report assesses
and the percentage of the crown to be removed.
the overall condition of a tree and its growing
environment and gives management It includes photographs that clearly show the
recommendations. It’s usually part of an individual branches to be pruned. It also lists the
application for approval to remove or prune pruning class under Australian Standard 4373
a tree on private property. (2007) Pruning of Amenity Trees.
This can be a standalone document or included
with other tree reports.
Tree risk assessment report
A tree risk assessment report determines the level
of risk posed by a tree over a specific timeframe. Tree management plan
The consultant arborist must follow and be
qualified in a recognised risk assessment method A tree management plan is a long-term
such as TRAQ or QTRA. management strategy for a tree or group of trees.
If your consultant arborist finds a potential major,
internal structural defect in your tree, they may
recommend internal diagnostic testing. The two Tree development reports
most common testing devices are resistance
drilling (Resistograph) and sonic tomography We expect the design process to keep good quality
(Picus Tomograph). trees where possible. Trees must be considered
early in a project’s planning stages and you should
Resistance drilling gives the most accurate engage a consultant arborist before design work
picture of the tissue density at the specific begins.
test location but requires interpretation by an
experienced operator. Tree development reports can include preliminary
arboricultural assessment reports, arboricultural
Sonic tomography uses software to interpret impact assessment reports, and tree protection
the results but its accuracy can be significantly specifications and plans.
affected by some types of wood decay.
Both resistance drilling results and tomography
scans must be included with the report.
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Tree guidelines
A preliminary arboricultural An arboricultural impact
assessment report assessment report
A preliminary arboricultural assessment report An arboricultural impact assessment report is part
is done at the pre-design stage and identifies of a development application and is usually the
opportunities and constraints to guide the design. main tree report. It determines how a tree may be
It allocates a retention value and calculates the impacted by the development works and includes
protection zone and structural root zone for recommendations for managing this. The report
each tree. must be objective – it should not argue for or
against the development.
A tree protection specification and plan gives specific
recommendations on protecting trees on development
sites. It usually includes a written document and a
graphical plan. On smaller projects, it can be part of
the arboricultural impact assessment. On larger or
more complex projects, it is a separate document and
is part of the conditions of development consent.
The structure of these reports is outlined in
Australian Standard 4970 (2009) Protection
of Trees on Development Sites.
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Tree guidelines
Framework for
managing trees
Below is a framework to help you assess, This framework is based on Australian Standard
integrate and manage trees in the development 4970 Protection of Trees on Development Sites
context. It details when you need arboricultural 2009. The standard does not argue for or against
advice during the development assessment and development, or to retain or remove trees, but
implementation stages of the project. provides a process for managing trees through
the development process.
Stages
1. Prepared at pre-design stage and used to guide the design process
Preliminary States a retention value and the tree protection zone and structural root
arboricultural zone for each tree
report Identifies opportunities and constraints for the trees
Determines which trees may be appropriate for removal or retention
2. Submitted with a development application
Arboricultural Provides the City of Sydney with required information to assess the tree
impact management part of the development application
assessment Determines the extent to which trees may be impacted by the
development works
Makes recommendations on managing those trees throughout the
development process
Guides the tree protection plan and specification
3. Outlines tree-specific protection measures
Tree protection Usually includes a graphical plan and a written specification
plan and
specification May be included with the arboricultural impact assessment
Can be a separate document for larger or more complex developments
4. he development consent may require arboricultural monitoring and
T
certification for specified parts of the project
Site monitoring
and tree protection If the inspections specified in the conditions do not take place, the consultant
arborist cannot provide tree protection certification.
certification This may delay or impact our ability to issue an occupation certificate
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Tree guidelines
Information The Australian standard
clearly outlines the process
for preparing an arboricultural
you need impact assessment.
to include
Allocating a retention value to each tree helps us,
the architect, and project consultants to identify
Encroachments can be:
the most valuable trees. – a minor encroachment – less than 10% of the
It may not be possible to retain all existing trees tree protection zone and outside of the structural
on a development site. But the proposal should root zone
show that higher value trees have been prioritised – a major encroachment – greater than 10% of
in the design process. the tree protection zone or within the structural
root zone
The standard provides formulae for the
calculation of two zones that are critical for the A minor encroachment does not require further
health and stability of a tree. arboricultural investigations or tree sensitive
design and construction methods. If the tree
The tree protection zone is the minimum area protection zone is reduced in one area due to
needed for a tree’s health. It can extend well the encroachment, it should be extended by
beyond the tree canopy. It is the area sufficient to the same degree in another contiguous area.
preserve the small diameter roots the tree needs
for the uptake of water and nutrients. A major encroachment has the potential to impact
the health, long-term viability and stability of a
The structural root zone is the minimum area the tree. If there is a major encroachment, the impact
tree needs for stability. It is a smaller area around assessment must reference the factors in clause
the base of trunk which usually contains most of 3.3.4 of the standard and show that the tree would
the large diameter, structural roots. remain viable. This often requires detailed onsite
investigations such as root mapping.
The consultant arborist must assesses all the
Tree protection zone plans submitted with the development application
and ensure these are the most up to date plans
encroachments may include: available. This includes architectural, landscape,
stormwater and construction management plans.
– demolition works
– altering ground levels (raising and lowering) If there are changes to the plans, the consultant
– doing structure and building works arborist will usually need to review these and amend
– adding pavement surfaces and other the arboricultural impact assessment. This can be
landscaping works expensive and cause project delays.
– installing services and other infrastructure We often require changes to plans so that good
– providing construction access or any other quality trees are retained. This is why you need to
construction activity that could impact the tree engage a consultant arborist in the early stages
of the project. It is the clients role to make sure the
arborist has the most up to date plans.
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Tree guidelines
Root Root mapping should be
done if the assessment cannot
clearly show that the tree will
mapping remain viable.
Root mapping should be done if the assessment Several tree sensitive excavation methods can be
cannot clearly show that the tree will remain viable. used for root investigations, and each method has
advantages and disadvantages. All roots greater
This involves excavating a narrow trench along than 25mm in diameter should be retained and
the line of a proposed excavation in a tree protected from desiccation, mechanical and sun
protection or structural root zone. It exposes roots damage during the root mapping process.
that would be impacted by the works.
The excavated trench should be assessed by the
The presence of existing buildings/structures may consultant arborist and relevant data collected for
mean root mapping in the exact location of the the report.
proposed structure is not feasible. In these cases,
the trench should be in the most logical position Please note that ground penetrating radar does not
to collect information on roots and determine the produce enough detail for a root mapping report.
likely impacts to the tree. Root mapping trenches In certain cases, such as over large areas, the radar
should be a minimum depth of 700mm or to the can be useful to show where root mapping should
proposed excavation depth in the design. be done.
Hand Vacuum Air spade
excavation excavation excavation
– suitable for small areas – suitable for large areas – suitable for small areas
– requires hand tools only – good for hard – less labour intensive than
– labour intensive compacted soils hand excavation
– requires vehicle access – creates mess and unsuitable
– requires experienced for use if soil contamination
operators and arboricultural may be present
supervision to ensure roots
are not damaged by the
high-pressure water jet
– disposal of soil slurry can
be costly
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Tree guidelines
Checklist For tree reports in the
City of Sydney area.
All tree reports Extra information for an
Title page: site address, client, date, revision
arboricultural impact
number, and name, contact details and assessment
qualification of the author
Summary of the proposal
Introduction: scope of the report and purpose
The retention value and tree protection zone
Method: methods used in the report,
and structural root zone for all trees within 5m of
limitations and list of plans and documents
the property boundaries and any tree protection
reviewed as part of the report, and noting any
zones of trees on adjoining properties that
revision or issue numbers and date
extend into the site
Site: description of the site and any site/
Impact assessment: list of trees proposed
environmental conditions which may impact
for removal or retention, percentage of tree
the trees
protection zone and structural root zone
Tree data: species, dimensions and health encroachment and if this is minor or major, and
and structural condition assessment – this consideration of factors for major encroachments
must reflect the size and condition of the trees (clause 3.3.4), options for mitigation of impacts,
at the time the report is submitted to us and recommendations for alternative/tree
sensitive design and tree protection methods
Discussion and recommendations:
interpretation of results and recommendations Pruning works: pruning requirements, pruning
class as defined by Australian Standard 4373
Bibliography: resource material referenced (2007) Pruning Of Amenity Trees, branch size
using the Harvard system and location (including photographs which
clearly show individual branches to be pruned)
Appendices: supporting information, clear
and percentage of crown to be removed
photographs of trees and identified defects,
and plan showing tree locations Plans: trees shown for removal (dashed line)
or retention (unbroken line) and tree protection
zone and structural root zone for trees proposed
for retention. These plans must be drawn to
scale and show the existing canopy
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Tree guidelines
Checklist For tree reports in the
City of Sydney area.
Extra information for root Extra information for pruning
mapping assessments specifications
Scaled plan showing trench location in The reason for the pruning, including the
relation to the subject tree and relevant pruning requirements and pruning class as
structures, and tree protection zone and defined by Australian Standard 4373 (2007)
structural root zone areas Pruning of Amenity Trees
Trench information including orientation, Branch information: branch size, location
length and depth (including impediments and percentage of crown to be removed
to achieving the required excavated depth),
along with clear photos of the trench and roots Photographs: annotated photos that clearly
show the individual branches to be pruned
Root information: location, size and
orientation of roots greater than 25mm
in diameter
Discussion and recommendations:
evaluation of the impacts of the proposed
works on the tree, mitigation of impacts, and
recommendations for alternative/tree sensitive
design and tree protection methods
Appendices: supporting information, clear
photographs of trees and identified defects,
and plan showing tree locations
