What is an arborist report and when do I need one?
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2026
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If you’ve been told you need an arborist report, you may wonder what that actually means and what type of report you need. Whether you’re concerned about a backyard tree or planning a development, arborist reports help guide decisions and meet planning requirements. Understanding the purpose of each report makes it easier to know where to start.
Arborist reports
An arborist report is a professional assessment prepared by a consulting arborist to evaluate trees and provide recommendations aligned with the project’s objectives. Depending on the situation, a report may assess:
- tree health and condition
- structural integrity and risk
- impacts of proposed construction
- tree protection requirements
- long-term management recommendations
- compliance with planning or approval requirements.
The type of report required depends on the project. Some clients need advice on a single tree, while others require detailed documentation supporting a development application.
Tree Surveys
Helpful for building projects, home extensions, new dwellings and development sites. A Tree Survey is a detailed inventory of trees on or near a site. It records information such as species, size, condition and location and provides the foundation for planning and design decisions. Architects and designers often require Tree Surveys before they can finalise plans, particularly when significant trees are present. Rather than being an end product, a Tree Survey commonly forms part of a broader Tree Management Plan.
Tree Management Plan
Valuable for developments, dual occupancies, commercial projects, government works and new home construction. A Tree Management Plan (TMP) explains how trees will be protected and managed throughout a construction project. In the ACT, planning authorities may require a Tree Management Plan and supporting Tree Survey from a qualified arborist where a development affects a protected tree. A TMP typically addresses:
- existing site trees and their condition
- trees to be retained or removed
- Tree Protection Zones (TPZs)
- construction impacts
- protection measures during works
- arboricultural supervision requirements.
The objective is simple: Help the project proceed while minimising unnecessary impacts on valuable trees. For builders and developers, a well-prepared TMP can reduce risk, improve compliance outcomes and avoid costly issues later in the project.
Tree Monitoring Report
Needed for construction projects where retained trees are located near works. Tree Monitoring Reports document arboricultural inspections during construction. Where a Tree Management Plan identifies trees that need protection, monitoring helps ensure those protection measures are actually being followed on site. Monitoring may occur during:
- demolition
- excavation works
- service installation
- footing construction
- other high-risk activities near retained trees.
These reports provide a valuable compliance record and help project teams identify issues before permanent damage occurs.
Tree Audit
Best suited for schools, government agencies, body corporates, retirement villages, commercial properties and large landholders. A Tree Audit assesses a population of trees across an entire site rather than focusing on one individual tree. The goal is to understand:
- what tree assets exist
- their current condition
- maintenance requirements
- priority works
- potential risks.
A tree audit allows organisations to move from reactive tree management to planned, evidence-based decision-making. For sites with hundreds or even thousands of trees, this can significantly improve budgeting, risk management and maintenance planning.
Tree Assessment Report
Often needed by homeowners, strata managers, property buyers and businesses concerned about specific trees. A Tree Assessment Report focuses on an individual tree or small group of trees. These reports are commonly requested when there are concerns about safety, health, structural defects, storm damage or potential impacts to buildings and infrastructure. A typical assessment provides:
- an overview of the tree’s health and condition
- assessment of structural defects or risk factors
- discussion of management options
- professional recommendations supported by industry standards.
For many residential clients, a Tree Assessment Report is the starting point for understanding whether a tree can be retained, managed or requires removal.
Qualifications matter more than you might think
Not all arborists provide consulting services, and not all tree reports are created equal. While there is no single Australia-wide law stating that only Diploma-qualified arborists can prepare reports, many councils, planning authorities and government agencies expect reports to be prepared by suitably qualified consulting arborists. In the ACT, higher-impact Tree Management Plans generally require a certified project arborist with a minimum AQF Level 5 qualification (Diploma of Arboriculture) or equivalent experience.
When engaging an arboricultural consultant, look for:
- formal arboricultural qualifications
- professional indemnity insurance
- public liability insurance
- experience preparing technical reports
- knowledge of local planning requirements
- industry-recognised training such as QTRA (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment).
Tree assessment involves far more than identifying species or measuring trunks. Good reports require an understanding of tree biology, defects, decay, risk assessment methodologies, construction impacts and relevant legislation. The quality of the report can have a direct impact on development approval timeframes, project costs and risk exposure.
ACT and Queanbeyan requirements
In Canberra and Queanbeyan, projects that impact protected or regulated trees may require a Tree Management Plan, tree survey or other arboricultural documentation as part of the planning or approval process. Requirements vary depending on the location and nature of the project.
Useful resources:
- ACT Tree Management Plans and Bonds
- ACT Trees and Landscaping Requirements
- QPRC Tree Management Information
While requirements vary between projects, seeking arboricultural advice early can help project teams identify potential constraints before they finalise plans.
FAQs
How long does an arborist report take?
The answer depends on the scope of the project. We can often complete a straightforward Tree Assessment Report relatively quickly. More complex reports involving development applications, large sites, multiple stakeholders or evolving designs can take several weeks.
Common factors that influence timeframes include the number of trees, site complexity, availability of plans and drawings, council requirements, project revisions and seasonal workload.
If you're working towards a development application or construction deadline, engaging an arborist early is often the best way to avoid delays.
What do I have to provide for the arborist report?
One of the biggest misconceptions about arborist reports is that they are produced entirely in isolation. In reality, many projects require collaboration between property owners, architects, builders, planners, surveyors and arborists. Depending on the project, we may require site surveys, architectural plans, floor plans, landscape plans, engineering drawings, and updated design information.
As designs evolve, arboricultural recommendations may also need to evolve. Many development projects go through several rounds of review before the project team reaches the best outcome for both the development and the trees. The more complete the information provided at the start, the smoother the reporting process usually becomes.
Which arborist report do I need?
If you're unsure, this quick guide can help.
- Concerned about the health, safety or condition of a tree? Tree Assessment Report.
- Building, renovating or lodging a development application? Tree Survey and potentially a Tree Management Plan.
- Working near retained trees during construction? Tree Monitoring Report.
- Managing a large site with multiple trees? Tree Audit.
If you're still uncertain, we can help you determine what level of assessment or reporting is required.