Tree Hazard Report

Mann Street Gosford

Prepared for Gosford City Council

By Big Green Things, Consulting Arborists Address Phone No Mob. No Fax. Email www ABN No.

05Sort May of catchy 2008 Name too Ref # 001/2008

Tree Hazard report template] Page 1 Table of contents- useful for longer reports. Allows the reader to navigate easily to points of interest.

Tree Hazard report template] Page 2 John’s Comments

Mick, glad to see you consider the visually challenged members of the community by selecting large fonts, particularly for headings. I think this is a very good shell for your report format and we will improve on it in the next few stages.

Suggested Improvements:

1. I think the Brief and the Scope headings will be very similar in content and are probably repetitious, so I would simply use the term Brief. The Brief is typically the stated requirements of the client and the aim of the report. The Scope is similar but outlines what will be covered and what wont. More commonly, the scope is part of your fee proposal structure, not the report.

2. There is no inclusion of any images such as plans or photos. Initially you should show the location of the site in reference to the surrounding streets taking an image from whereis.com or a similar location. Then you MUST have a site plan showing the location of trees in conjunction with the Tree Survey. The numbers used on the plan must be similar to that used on the tree survey and not split up into fragments.

3. Heading numbers are absent so you should work at that. We will do an exercise next time on formatting your report so that the Table of Contents can be automatically generated from your Headings. Sub- headings can also be used.

4. We also need to generate some tables and possibly change the page set up as well.

You have a well thought out basic shell and its pleasing to see it progress from here.

John

Tree Hazard report template] Page 3 Introduction

This is where the parameters of the tree hazard investigation are defined.

Here, we identify the trees to be assessed, where they are and the specifics of the assessment.

We must identify who the assessment is being conducted for, any specific questions that need answering and any limitations that apply.

Example.

Gosford City Council has requested that a tree hazard assessment be conducted on four Hills weeping fig trees that line the pedestrian walkway from number 10, to number 20, Mann St, Gosford.

These trees are in frequently utilised public area with high volumes of pedestrian traffic beneath.

Beneath each tree there is also public bench seating which are also frequently used.

Gosford council has expressed a desire to assess the trees health and viability in their position and, if they are assessed as healthy and viable, a management plan for these trees will be developed.

Brief- Who the report is for and exactly what questions you are answering. Explain here exactly what you will do and what you won’t do. Clearly identify all questions that need to be addressed.

Keep referring back to the brief to ensure that you are answering the question and not being side tracked.

Scope of the report- useful in establishing exactly what will and won’t be covered in the report.

Tree Hazard report template] Page 4 Summary-this is the bit where you summarise the report so that someone can get all the important info from the report without having to read the whole report.

Instant overview of report contents including the purpose of the report and results on one page at the start of the report. Not to be used for short reports of about 5 pages or less as it can look like padding. Write it when you have completed the main body of the report so you know what to summarise. Roughly summarise each point made into about a sentence. Make it clear and concise as it may be the only part of the report read.

Methodology- describes how you went about assessing the tree. Not in too much detail. All onerous details should be in the appendices. method of data collection. VTA, SULE, photos, aerial inspection, picus test, etc

Site Observations- Site description and details of site visit-should be brief but should enable the reader who hasn’t been there to be able to visualise the site. Note here the specific details of the site with regard to exposure to wind, prevailing weather etc.

Tree Survey Schedule

Tree # Botanical Commo DBH Height Age Canopy Structural Health Notes Name n Name Class Spread Condition

Tree Hazard report template] Page 5 Conclusion and Recommendations

Recommendations/ conclusion- this may be part of the appraisal

These should be in bullet or point form

Appraisal- if part of the report is to give your opinion, you put it here. This is the meat of the report and is where you put all your findings, personal views, each issue must be dealt with giving pros and cons and conclusion. This is the most important part of the report and it must be clear.

Disclaimer- This report in its entirety is for the exclusive use of Big Green Things and the client.

Any opinions and recommendations relate to the tree or trees condition at the time of the report.

While great care is taken to accurately diagnose the condition of a tree, it is impossible to accurately determine the true structural condition of the entire tree and any diagnosis, opinions or recommendations expressed are based on several methods of determining tree health.

While it is possible to obtain a more accurate picture of the structural integrity of the tree using various technologies, no currently available method or equipment will allow one to obtain an unequivocal and completely accurate diagnosis and the recommendations and opinions found herein are based on industry best practice.

No responsibility will be accepted for partial or full failure of any tree.

No responsibility will be accepted for any damage or injury caused by any tree or part thereof referred to in this report.

Tree Hazard report template] Page 6 Site Plan- an actual plan or a drawing of the site with north.

Does not necessarily have to be to scale

Appendices- any extra information, pictures, plans etc that are not appropriate to be in the main body of the report

References- a list of books or website etc that you have referred to in the report.

Tree Hazard report template] Page 7