A Guide to Tree Surveys - Here Is What You Need To Know About Them

A Guide to Tree Surveys - Here Is What You Need To Know About Them

If you are about to start a development project on a commercial or residential property, you need to know that one of the requirements is to conduct a tree survey. Most city councils require this.

A tree survey represents an assessment of the trees in the area that is planned for development. Conducted by professional arborists, a tree survey’s goal is to come up with an assessment of which trees can be safely removed and which ones need to remain. Most local councils will only give the go-ahead of a development project after being provided with a tree survey.

What information goes into a tree survey?

The goal of a tree survey is to reveal info on the condition of the trees that are on the property and those within an influential distance. And while the main focus falls on the health of the surveyed trees, there are other details that it will also include:  Species of the tree, as evidenced by its botanical name  The physical measurements of the tree – diameter and height  Physiological and structural health of every individual tree  Total number of trees in the surveyed area – every tree gets its reference number

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The life expectancy of every surveyed tree Preliminary guide on how to best manage every tree Priority for retention of trees

In some cases, the tree survey may also include a location plan created with CAD software. This is in regards to providing very detailed information, to be used by all involved parties. And once the details of the tree survey are out, the local council and any involved party can determine what number of trees to keep and which ones should be removed.

When is a tree survey required?

Every time someone wants to commence a development project in an area with any number of trees, they will need to obtain a tree survey.

The local council requires such a report to be submitted as part of the development permit application. A tree survey is also necessary in case of changing access, extensions or ancillary buildings construction on the existing property.

Other than development purposes, a tree survey also serves to alleviate worries about the health of trees on the property. If there are reasons to believe that any trees are in poor health or are dying, arborists can conduct a tree survey to find out if the information is correct and what can be done to remedy the situation.

When is a tree survey not required?

If there are no trees on the property, or the present trees there are just a few scattered around, a tree survey might not be necessary. However, it doesn’t mean that properties without any trees are always excluded from conducting tree surveys. For example, even if there is just one tree that is protected, a tree survey is required, to outline a plan on how a project will proceed without removing/damaging said tree. In cases

where there is no extension of a building footprint, tree surveys might not be required.

Main reasons to get a tree survey 

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Locating protected trees – some trees are protected by a tree preservation order. These cannot be cut down or worked on in any way. A tree survey can locate all protected trees.

Landscape design – landscapers and property managers know that trees are an amenity, which can boost the value of a property. That is why they need tree surveys to determine which trees are most beneficial and thus retain them.

Safety reasons – a tree survey identifies health/structural hazards within trees. It also identifies pests and other issues, which impact a tree’s health. Arborists can then take certain steps to remedy the situation.

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