A tree doctor, also known as an arborist, is a very niche profession. Having said this, the role of an arborist can be quite important, particularly if you are looking to make changes to the vegetation on your land. In fact, when seeking council approval to have foliage removed from your property, there is a good chance you’ll need a report or testimony of an arborist. So, if you require assistance in regards to the maintenance of the vegetation on your property, here are several ways a tree doctor can help with the process.

 

The role of a tree doctor

An arborist can fulfil a variety of tasks. Their primary role is to assist with the maintenance of vegetation and foliage. It is important to note, however, that an arborist is not directly involved in the removal of vegetation. In fact, their job comes before this. They are highly qualified in examining the health and safety of specific foliage, ensuring that it can be removed safely and without causing further harm to the surrounding environment. Indeed, they sign off on arborist reports, safety audits and can even act as expert witnesses in council proceedings, which may involve disputing the removal of vegetation.

 

Arborist reports

An arborist report could be really important, particularly when the local council gets involved. In fact, most local councils will require a report from a tree doctor to ensure branches or foliage can be removed safely and within local regulations. Without this report, there is a good chance the local council will reject your claim.

The report includes several importance characteristics. It outlines the overall condition and age of the vegetation and whether removing or altering it in its current form will be harmful to surrounding plants. If it is an endangered species, this will also be included in the report. If the vegetation is ‘sick’, in the sense that it is suffering from defects or diseases, there is a good chance it will be removed. After weighing up these factors, a final recommendation can be included by the tree doctor.

 

Safety audits

If you have young children or are looking into opening a place of business on a new property, you’ll want to have a completed safety audit to ensure the vegetation on the property is safe to bystanders. Indeed, the audit from your tree doctor assesses the relative danger of the foliage cover. This might include things like whether the vegetation will remain stable during inclement weather conditions or whether it will pose a threat. The vegetation must pass what is known as a ‘duty of care’, which ascertains that it is safe to either work or live in that general proximity. The last thing you need is a dangerous collapse occurring on your family home or place of business, putting people’s lives at risk.

 

Root investigations

roots

The root networks of saplings can be a real disruption, particularly if you are trying to build a new home, add renovations or add a new driveway to your home. As a result, a tree doctor can assist with this process by performing a root investigation. Essentially, your local arborist will map the network of roots on your property to determine where building can take place without harming the environment, whilst ensuring that infrastructure won’t be disrupted unnecessarily.

 

Expert witness

Finally, you may need an expert witness if you have spoken to your local council to have vegetation assessed or removed from your property. In this scenario, a qualified tree doctor can act as your expert witness in any local court matters. They can testify and provide their opinion, which will carry a lot of influence in the courts.