Tips that save time and money
The questions we get asked most often as consulting arborists tend to be ones a property owner could have answered themselves – if they had known the question to ask. Here are ten short tips, each addressing a specific decision point we see go wrong on NSW projects regularly.
1. Check council DCP before any tree work
Most NSW councils protect trees above a defined size threshold (commonly 200 mm DBH or 5 m tall) and require consent for pruning or removal. Pruning a protected tree without consent is the same offence as removing it without consent – $1,500+ PIN. Run our Tree Removal Permit Wizard if in doubt.
2. Get pruning quotes in writing referencing AS 4373
Reputable contractors specify the practice (crown reduction, thinning, lifting, deadwooding) and reference AS 4373. If the quote uses words like "topping", "lopping", "lowering" or "size reduction" without lateral-cut detail, that is a red flag.
3. Always have a Tree Protection Plan on site during construction
If your DA conditions require tree protection, print the TPP and display it at the site office. Council inspectors look for this. Even a perfectly compliant site without the document on display attracts negative findings.
4. Photograph trees before any nearby works begin
Before construction, pruning, neighbour works or anything else affecting a retained tree, take dated photographs from multiple angles. If anything goes wrong, this becomes the baseline evidence.
5. Engage your arborist early, not late
The cheapest arborist engagement is a PAR (Preliminary Arboricultural Report) at concept stage that informs design. The most expensive is an emergency engagement after damage has happened. Most projects benefit from arborist input three weeks before lodging the DA, not three weeks before construction.
6. If a contractor topped your tree, do not throw out the invoice
The contractor's quote, invoice and any written communications are evidence in any subsequent claim. Even if you have moved on from the matter, retain the paperwork for at least six years (the NSW civil-claim limitation period).
7. Soil compaction is a slow killer
Tree death attributable to compacted soil during construction often appears 3-5 years after the project closed out – well after the builder has moved on. Compaction is invisible damage at the time but cumulative over years. Vehicle traffic and materials storage inside any Tree Protection Zone is the most common cause.
8. Mulch correctly: depth, ring shape, not against the trunk
Wood-chip mulch is one of the best things you can do for an established tree. Aim for 75-100 mm depth, in a ring extending out to at least the canopy drip line, and crucially kept 100 mm clear of the trunk itself – mulch piled against the trunk causes bark decay.
9. Watch for fungal fruiting bodies on live tissue
Mushrooms or brackets growing on dead wood are normal. Fungal fruiting bodies growing on the live trunk or root flare of a mature tree are one of the strongest predictors of internal decay – and elevated future-failure risk. Document with photographs and engage an arborist for assessment.
10. After any storm, walk the property
Storms can crack hidden wood, lean trees by failing root anchorage, or break branches in ways not obvious at first glance. A post-storm walk-around the next day catches problems while damage is still fresh and easier to address. Use our free Tree Risk Quick Check for any tree where you have concerns.
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TPZ calculator, tree valuation, removal wizard, pruning compliance, builder checklist, PAR vs AIA, risk quick-check and replacement planting. Built to AS 4970-2025 and AS 4373.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications should a consulting arborist hold?
For consulting work (writing AIAs, PARs, valuations, expert reports) – AQF Level 5 (Diploma of Arboriculture) is the minimum standard accepted by NSW councils and courts. For pruning and tree-work supervision – AQF Level 3 (Certificate III) is the minimum, AQF Level 5 for significant trees. Verify public liability insurance separately.
Do I need a verbal consultation or a written report?
Verbal consultation (from $250 + GST at Assurance Trees) suits quick yes/no questions: Is this tree protected? Is this contractor proposing something reasonable? Should I be worried about this lean? Written reports are needed for DA, insurance, court or council. See the Verbal Consultations service.
How often should I have my trees inspected?
For trees with a target (people, vehicles, building underneath) – annual visual check by a TRAQ-trained arborist as baseline, full formal TRAQ assessment every 3-5 years for institutional sites (schools, body corporates, councils). For residential back-yard trees with no target, less frequent inspection is acceptable but watch for change.
What is the most common mistake homeowners make with their trees?
Hiring an unqualified contractor for major pruning. Topping a healthy tree to control its size, then watching it decline over the following years. The cost of a Pruning Specification from a consulting arborist ($650 + GST) is a small fraction of the cost of replacing the tree if topping kills it.
Note. This is general educational content for NSW. It does not constitute site-specific arboricultural, legal or planning advice. For your specific matter, engage a qualified consulting arborist.
Need arborist advice for your NSW property?
Assurance Trees provides verbal consultations, certified reports and project arborist supervision across NSW. AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists. NSW Licensed Builder background. 15+ years practice.
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