Case Studies

Case study 1: Leaning Canary Island date palm

• Client’s request: Canary Island date palm which has started to lean, to remove or retain.
• Findings upon inspection: Our arborist noticed that the water has been stored in trunk of this palm which made weight of the trunk to be estimated as approximately two to three tons. Due to the excessive weight caused by water stored in trunk, the root ball was sliding towards fence and its status was not ideal to retain. This palm was not ideal to remove manually because of its spikes, weight of trunk from stored water, and expensive driveway which usual methods could damage. Machinery use within the property was not ideal for this property.
• Solution: Our arborist decided to remove top section by use of cherry picker reaching from street, then manually reduce a size of trunk before lifting heavy weighted trunk by crane from street. Disposal to be carried out by using combination of several different machinery outside of property as it is not possible to carry manually. Work was carried out safely and effectively with no damage as planned.

Case study 2: Mechanical control of weed infestation in large area

• Client’s request: Control environmental weed fully covering ground among protected vegetation at development site by meeting council requirements prior to rehabilitation of the area.
• Findings upon inspection: Vegetation at the site was protected by Natural Asset Local Law. Environmental weeds were vastly covering ground among protected vegetation. Site was approved for development however no damage to native saplings is allowed under the development conditions. Due to its extensiveness and protected vegetation surrounding, manual control of weeds or application of poison were not acceptable methods. Due to protected vegetation, correct machinery has to be used to avoid any damage to native vegetation and soil disturbance. (i.e., Digger, Bobcat or bulldozer cannot be used.)
• Solution: Our arborist recommended Mechanical control of weed infestation by use of one of our specialised machineries, so that the native saplings and soil have no disturbance and work can be carried out by meeting the requirements. Understanding of council requirements including local law, selection of correct machinery, and experience in carrying out work at site with protected vegetation were vital to assist this client.

Case study 3: Arborist report

• Client’s request: Client’s own application to obtain council permit for removal of one tree was refused and requested our assistance.
• Background: Client initially lodged an application by his own arrangement to council to obtain permit for removal of this established tree within unit complex, however his own application was refused because it did not demonstrate enough evidence, assessment details or investigation from an arboricultural point of view. He needed professional Arborist’s assistance.
• Findings & Solution: Our arborist’s assessment found that there were several issues to be addressed to council and he believed that there was ground for client’s application to be reviewed and granted by council. Root system has been causing issues with multiple units, kerbs, and driveway within the complex, lifting building foundation and become hazards. Vegetation on this site were protected. Thorough assessment of the tree and root system was conducted and demonstrated comprehensive assessment details of the tree and site, impact, hazards, feasibility of alternative option such as control methods, and recommendation in the form of Arborist report based on arboricultural point of view. We lodged application on his behalf and communication with council was carried out during the assessment of application.
• Result: With our arborist’s assistance, client’s application was supported by council and he was allowed to remove this hazardous tree. It is recommended obtaining arborist’s professional assessment and advice from the beginning for smoother and efficient process.

Case study 4: Arborist report

• Client’s request: Client purchased a property with a well-established tree around which development has been carried out by previous owner. He is considering removal of this tree.
• Findings & Solution: By receiving information over the phone from this client, it was quite obvious to us without inspection that council has ordered to retain this tree upon approving past development. Site inspection by our arborist, some research and communication with council confirmed our initial evaluation. Arborist report was required by council to demonstrate comprehensive tree assessment and further information about this tree and impact it may pose. The tree was in poor health, with existence of pest, and tree’s structure has been impacted for a long time. It posed potential tree failure.
• Result: Our comprehensive assessment demonstrated in the Arborist report was reviewed by council and we were able to obtain council support for removal of this tree on behalf of this client. Having an extensive hands-on experience to work on actual trees every day, like our arborist, is essential to be able to assess trees and situations to determine existing issues as well as potential future issues.