What We Do
Arborist Reports for Kew Properties
Kew has extensive Heritage Overlays particularly around Studley Park and the streets backing onto the Yarra River, with Vegetation Protection Overlays covering the river escarpment. Cotham Road, High Street and the leafy backstreets around Walpole Street are typical Kew tree work areas, with mature gardens hosting some of Boroondara's oldest trees. Arborist reports for Kew properties require local council knowledge: the tree species, the council requirements, and how to work around mature gardens. Every job is led by a Cert III qualified arborist, fully insured to $20 million, and finished with complete site clean-up.
Kew's established trees often include established oaks, elms, gums, claret ash, magnolias. Each species has its own report preparation considerations, particularly when access is constrained by narrow side passages, overhead power lines, or neighbouring properties typical of Kew blocks. Our approach is methodical, safety-first, and tailored to each tree.
We write reports to the specific format and depth each council expects, drawing on a working knowledge of their local laws, planning schemes and overlays. Our reports are prepared by Cert III qualified arborists, properly evidenced with site photos and measurements, and structured to give the assessing officer everything they need in one document.
Common Report Types
When You Need an Arborist Report
Council Tree Permit Applications
Most councils across the east require a report supporting any permit to remove or significantly prune a protected canopy tree.
Development Applications
Planning permits for extensions, new builds or subdivisions affecting trees on or near the site. Tree Protection Zones and retention strategies included.
Insurance Claims
Storm damage assessments, pre-existing condition reports, and the documentation insurers need for property damage claims.
Property Transactions
Reports for buyers or sellers concerned about trees on or near a property line. Useful for negotiating purchase conditions or post-settlement obligations.
Neighbour Disputes
Independent assessments of tree health, root encroachment, or pruning recommendations for trees on boundary lines.
Risk Assessments
Reports for schools, body corporates and commercial properties identifying high-risk trees and recommended management actions.
What Our Reports Cover
A council-ready arborist report from us typically includes:
- Site and tree identification. Property address, tree location, species (botanical and common name), dimensions including height, canopy spread, and trunk diameter at 1.4m.
- Visual Tree Assessment (VTA). Standard arboricultural method for assessing tree health, structure, and any defects.
- Photographic evidence. Clear site and tree photos showing the basis for the assessment.
- Useful Life Expectancy (ULE). Standard categorisation used by councils to assess retention value.
- Recommendations. Removal, retention, pruning, or other management actions, with reasoning.
- Tree Protection Zone calculations where relevant for development applications.
- Council-specific compliance. Cross-referenced against the relevant local law, planning scheme and overlays.
🏛️ Boroondara Council Permits
Under the Boroondara Tree Protection Local Law 2024, canopy trees with a trunk circumference of 110cm or more (measured at 1.4m above ground) require a permit before removal. Properties in heritage overlays or near the Yarra may have additional planning constraints. We've handled permit applications across Boroondara extensively and can guide you through the process, including preparing the certified arborist report most applications require. We know which trees on a Kew property are likely to need permits and which won't, before we even arrive on site.
Turnaround
How Long Reports Take
Most straightforward residential reports (single tree, removal or pruning permit) are completed within five to seven business days from site inspection. More complex reports for development applications, multi-tree sites, or contested assessments typically take seven to fourteen days. Urgent turnarounds available at short notice where needed, particularly for insurance claims with tight deadlines.
What's Included
Every Arborist Report Includes
- On-site inspection by a Cert III qualified arborist.
- Written report in council-ready format, delivered as a PDF.
- Site and tree photographs embedded in the document.
- Council-specific compliance against the relevant local law and overlays.
- Tree Protection Zone calculations where required.
- Follow-up support if council requests further information or clarification.
- Fixed-fee pricing agreed upfront, no surprises.
Arborist Reports Across Boroondara and Surrounds
While this page focuses on Kew, we provide the same arborist reports service across the surrounding area, including Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Balwyn, Canterbury, Richmond. For our general arborist reports information across all suburbs, see our Arborist Reports service page.
From the Field
Recent Reporting Work
