On this page Content components Arborists are tree specialists who care for and manage trees. They can:assess tree health and structuredo risk assessments of treescarry out works such as pruning and removing treestreat diseases and pests affecting treesgive advice about how to protect trees during constructionhelp improve a tree's health.To find the right arborist for your needs, follow these steps.Step 1: Check credentialsBefore requesting a quote from an arborist, ask them if they:have a Level 3 Certificate in Arboriculture for pruning and removal, and Level 5 Diploma in Arboriculture for Consulting Services, and on-the-job experiencehave public and products liability and professional indemnity insuranceare members of professional organisations such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Victorian Tree Industry Organisation (VTIO) or Arboriculture Australiacan provide a written quote and invoicesknow about our tree works permits requirements for removing, pruning or working near trees and how to applyhave references from other properties or sites they’ve worked on (references are often on their website).Do not hire door-knockers who push you to agree to carry out urgent works for a cash payment.If you’re unsure about an arborist call our Strategic and Statutory Planning team for advice on (03) 9278 4888.If a protected tree is removed without a permit or damaged during works, even if the arborist told you no permits were needed, you and the arborist could be fined or prosecuted. Find out more on our protected and significant trees page.Step 2: Compare quotesBefore accepting a quote, compare the details in each quote. Quotes should include:a statement of whether a Tree Protection Local Law or Planning Permit is neededproposed start and finish date of worksspecific details of the works to be done, including if stumps will be removed and if they will take away the branches and woodthe total price and hourly ratesthe company's Australian Business Number (ABN), billing address, contact details and payment options.Step 3: Monitor practicesQualified arborists prune trees in line with Australian Standard 4373-2007 Pruning of Amenity Trees.Trees need to be removed safely to avoid people being injured or your property being damaged. Unacceptable activities include:randomly cutting off branches without care or precision (lopping)topping or significantly reducing the height of a treeremoving excessive amounts of branchesusing climbing spurs on trees that are not being removedremoving or damaging protected trees without a permitblocking roads or disrupting public access without the required permits.Find out about permits to occupy roads and footpaths. If you're unsure or think any of these activities are taking place, call our Strategic and Statutory Planning team on (03) 9278 4888. Guidelines for arborist reportsIf you need to submit an arborist report as part of a Planning Permit application, your arborist needs to prepare it in line with the below guidelines. Download guidelines for arborist reports Guidelines for Submitting Arboricultural or Tree Reports 261.85 KB [PDF] 9 January 2020 More information For more information call our Strategic and Statutory Planning team on (03) 9278 4888.
