Consulting arborists · the trees
Find an Arborist
On a leafy block the trees, not the planning controls, often decide where the second home can go. A consulting arborist assesses the trees on and beside the lot, tells you which can be removed and what has to be kept, and writes the report Council asks for.
Type your suburb or your address.
What they do
An arboricultural impact assessment identifies each tree, its health and retention value, its tree protection zone and how the proposed footprint affects it. It goes with the DA (and many councils want it before a CDC where a protected tree is close). The arborist can also apply for tree removal permits and supervise root-zone works during construction.
When you need one
Before the design is fixed, so the footprint can be moved rather than the tree fought over. Whenever a tree over the council's size threshold sits within a few metres of where you want to build, on your side or the neighbour's.
How to choose
Look for AQF Level 5 (consulting) rather than Level 3 (climbing) — the report Council accepts comes from the former. Ask whether they have dealt with your council's tree officers and what their reports have got approved.
Are you a arborist who works here? Apply to represent your suburb — one arborist is listed per suburb, chosen on local track record.