Arborist Reports in Brisbane
An arborist report is a formal document that is drawn up after an in-depth assessment of a tree. It will highlight any existing issues, areas of concern, damage and any threats from mechanical injury or pest invasion.
It details the findings made by a qualified arborist and any recommendations for future tree care. An arborist report gives you all the information you need to understand the health status of your tree, and it gives Council the formal documentation it needs if you plan to prune or remove it.
North Brisbane Trees prepares arborist reports for homeowners, businesses, builders and property buyers across Brisbane. Every report is written by Craig Bauer, a qualified arborist who is on Brisbane City Council’s list of approved arborists.
Which Arborist Report Do You Need?
Arborist reports help council officers, planners and developers judge the health of local trees and decide which can be safely retained or removed. They also help homeowners and business owners understand the condition of their trees and see what work is needed. The report you need depends on why you need it.
Tree permit and removal report
If your tree is protected under Brisbane City Council’s local laws, they may ask for an arborist report before approving pruning or removal. Significant Landscape Trees have special rules, and an AQF Level 5 arborist report is often needed before any work is approved.
Development application report
If you plan to build, extend or install a pool near existing trees, the report shows how those trees will be protected, or why one needs to be removed. It includes a retention value for each tree and the tree protection zones that must be kept clear during construction.
Tree risk and hazard assessment
If a tree looks unstable, has dead limbs, or is damaging a structure, this report records any structural defects, decay, disease or root damage and gives you a professional opinion on the risk and what to do about it.
Pre-purchase report
Arborist reports aren’t just for your own property. A report on a property you’re thinking of buying gives you an independent view of its trees before you commit.
Insurance and legal report
After storm damage, root intrusion or a dispute, a report documents the tree’s condition for insurers, solicitors or QCAT. It can also help you assess tree risk on your land so your insurance policy can be updated, and it gives you an independent record if a tree encroaches on a neighbour’s property or a public space.
Heritage sites
These sites are protected and cannot be changed without the proper paperwork.
What Does an Arborist Report Contain?
- Name and details of the arborist
- Date and time of the inspection
- Species and type of tree
- Tree details such as location and dimensions
- Summary of methods used in the arborist assessment
- Any health problems found such as disease or pests
- Information about any potential risks or hazards
- Written and photographic evidence of the structural integrity of the tree
- The recommended strategy to improve tree health or remove it
Reports prepared for development work also include a retention value for each tree and the tree protection zones that need to be kept clear during construction.
Note: Arborist reports are not just for your own property. They can be conducted on property you are looking to buy so you can make an informed purchase decision.
Arborist Reports for Development Applications
When building work is planned near trees, Council will usually want to see how those trees will be looked after. A development application arborist report is prepared to AS 4970, the Australian Standard for the protection of trees on development sites.
The arborist identifies each tree and rates its health, structure and value. For the trees you plan to keep, the report works out the tree protection zone, which is the area around the trunk where digging, filling, storing materials and heavy machinery need to be avoided or carefully managed.
The report then recommends practical protection measures such as fencing, ground protection and hand digging near roots. If a tree has to be removed, the report explains why and can suggest replacement planting. In many cases a small change to a design is enough to save a valuable tree, and getting the report early gives you the chance to make that change before plans are lodged.
Who Carries Out Arborist Reports?
Only a certified level 5 arborist should prepare an arborist report. Craig Bauer is North Brisbane Trees resident arborist and is on Brisbane City Councils list of approved arborists.
How Much Does an Arborist Report Cost?
- Pricing starts from $895 inc GST for a basic report for 1 or 2 trees
The final price depends on the number of trees, access to the site and the type of report you need. We will give you a quote before any work starts.
Contact Us Today for a Professional Arborist Report
Once you have your report, North Brisbane Trees can carry out the work it recommends, whether that is tree removal, pruning or stump grinding.
Do you need an arborist report for your home or business? North Brisbane Trees is ready to help.
Get in touch via the contact page or call (07) 3289 3610 to discuss your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my report recommends keeping a tree I want removed?
Our reports are independent, so they won’t be written to suit the outcome you’re hoping for. If a tree is healthy and stable, the report will say so, and Council would reach the same conclusion. There’s often another way to solve the problem, such as selective pruning, root management, pest or disease treatment, or a design change so the tree can stay. We’ll talk you through the options.
What if the tree is on my neighbour’s land, or right on the boundary?
Ownership affects who is responsible and who can apply to Council. If the tree is on your neighbour’s side, we can assess what’s visible from your property and record any damage or risk it’s causing. We’ll need their permission to inspect it up close or from their land, so a friendly chat with them beforehand helps. We’re arborists, not lawyers, so get legal advice if the matter has become a formal dispute.
A tree has come down or been damaged in a storm. Can you still help?
Yes, but safety comes first. If anyone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). If a tree is tangled in powerlines, stay well clear and contact your electricity provider. For storm damage assistance, contact the SES on 132 500.
Once the area is safe, take plenty of photos of the tree and the damage before anything is cleaned up, as they can support an insurance claim. Then call us and we’ll arrange an inspection and a report documenting the tree’s condition and what caused the damage. If emergency tree work is needed, check Council’s rules before you start.
What should I have ready before the inspection?
- The property address, plus photos or a description if it’s not obvious which tree you mean
- Your plans or the architect’s drawings, if the report is for a development
- Any letters or emails from Council about the tree
- Notes on locked gates, dogs or difficult access
You don’t need to be home for the whole inspection, but it helps if you’re there at the start so we can confirm which trees are involved and hear your concerns.
Do you need to know the species of the tree before you come out?
Not at all. Identifying the species is part of our job, and it is one of the first things we record on site. It matters more than most people realise, because the species affects how a tree grows, how it tends to fail, how long it is likely to live and, in some cases, how Council treats it. If you do not know what your tree is, just point it out when we arrive.
