Tree reports are a useful tool to gauge how healthy your trees are and whether they are any risk to your home, property or surrounding buildings. However, most of the time you aren't thinking about when your next tree report is due, so what exactly are the requirements for commissioning tree reports? Unless you have a good reason, most tree service agencies will be confused as to why you even require their services so here are a few basic guidelines as to whether or not a tree report is necessary for you. 

Selling Your Property

If you are planning on moving and selling your current house, you may be asked by your real estate agent to commission tree reports on any nearby trees that are within reach of your structures (house, garage, shed, etc). These tree reports are focused on the internal strength of the tree, the likelihood of deterioration in the near future and whether or not they can be safely removed. If you do plan on getting rid of a tree, your local council might have strict regulations on whether or not you can simply do this without cause. In those cases, tree reports are required as evidence before work begins. 

After A Storm

It is not easy to gauge how sturdy a tree is just by looking at it, especially for people who aren't all that familiar with flora in general. Australia often undergoes quite serious thunderstorms in-between seasons, and this can threaten the longevity of your trees. The problem is determining whether your tree is one strong breeze away from collapsing, or if it could last another hundred years unimpeded. Tree reports are a vital resource after any large weather event, which means this is usually their busiest work period, so get in quick or you may be stuck waiting for a few weeks!

Adding An Extension

If you plan on doing major renovations or to add an extension to your home, you might be legally required to commission tree reports on surrounding trees. This is not only for your safety but also for the safety of the trees. Many councils across Australia are fiercely protective of trees because they provide such a valuable aesthetic feature, even in the biggest cities. If your renovation or extension has the possibility of damaging your trees, or even the root system of these trees, then you may be asked to reconsider your current plans. This does not mean extensions are banned, merely that you have to tweak them so that they don't impact on your trees.

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