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Martin Peacock Tree Care offers a comprehensive range of services and reports types including; Planning and Development, Hazard Assessment, Pre-Purchase and Tree Surveys, to assist with all aspects of Tree Management.

Development and Planning

• Preliminary Tree Assessment Report – This type of report is compiled in the early stages of the development process, prior to the design stage. All trees on site are surveyed and categorised in relation to their suitability for retention. The preliminary report assists the Planner / Architect / Designer, in making informed decisions regarding the integration of those trees identified as being worthy of retention within the development. A Preliminary Tree Assessment Report is highly recommended as it can save costly design changes later in the development application process.

• Preliminary Arboricultural Report – This type of report provides information for the Planner / Architect / Designer, in developing a design layout suitable for maintaining the health and vigour of trees selected for retention. The report includes information on the location of tree protection zones (TPZ) for those trees recommended for retention.

• Development Design & Review Report – This type of report provides an assessment of architectural, engineering, services and landscape drawings and determines their potential impact upon those trees proposed for retention. The report can advise on tree sensitive design and construction methods to reduce the impact of development upon trees which are to be retained.

• Arboricultural Impacts Assessment Report – This type of report is compiled once the design has been finalised. The Impacts Assessment Report provides details on tree retention / removal, specifications for tree protection, details on design and construction methods proposed to reduce impacts on trees and a review of all relevant plans, to provide an accurate impact assessment. This report forms part of the development application documentation.

• Root Mapping Report – Where design proposals encroach upon tree protection zones, root mapping can be undertaken to establish the potential impact of development. Root mapping can involve hand excavation or the use of ground penetration radar to determine the size, number and location of tree roots. The Root Mapping Report provides an assessment of potential development impacts upon the tree and includes building design / tree management recommendations.

• Tree Monitoring Documentation – When approving a development application, Council will often include various Conditions of Consent relating to tree protection and management. At various points throughout the development project, as directed by the Council’s conditions, the project Arborist is required to check that tree protection and management requirements comply with Council Conditions of Consent.

The report types listed above follow the guidelines set out in the Australian Standard AS: 4970 (2009) Protection of Trees On Development Sites. If you are unfamiliar with any aspects of the standard please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to provide you with all the information you require.

Hazard Assessment

• Hazard Assessment Report – This type of report provides a detailed assessment of the condition of a tree or trees, and determines the level of potential hazard to the public and property. A hazard assessment uses the internationally recognized Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) methodology (Mattheck & Breloer 1994). Based on the outcomes of assessment, the report recommends management options to minimise risk. A Hazard Assessment Report is often required by Councils to support an application to remove a tree covered by a tree preservation order.

• Specialist Decay Detection - Internal defects within a tree have the potential make a tree structurally unsafe. Specialised decay detection equipment can be used to give a clear and accurate picture of the extent of internal defects, which enables the Arborist to make appropriate recommendations for tree management. Martin Peacock Tree Care can provide both Resistograph® and PiCUS® Sonic Tomograph reports, to accurately determine the condition of structurally defective trees.

• Aerial inspection – It is not always possible to accurately assess a tree from the ground. An aerial inspection, undertaken using rope and harness, involves a thorough inspection of the tree canopy. Any significant defects are photographed and relevant details recorded for inclusion in a Hazard Assessment Report.

Pre-Purchase Tree Assessment Report

• Pre-Purchase Tree Assessment Report – If you are considering purchasing property which has existing trees on site, an expert opinion on the potential future management requirements of those trees may be helpful in making your decision to buy.

Tree Surveys

• Tree Survey – Where multiple trees are present on a site, a Tree Survey provides basic information on tree species and condition. A Tree Survey is commonly undertaken when devising a management strategy for large numbers of trees. Where required, Martin Peacock Tree Care can provide a GPS (Global Positioning System) based Tree Survey to accurately locate the position of each tree.