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Arborist Assessment Report
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ARBORICULTURAL ASSESSMENT REPORT v1
ELM STREET, COOROY
FOOTPATH ALIGNMENT
FOR
PALM LAKE WORKS
DECEMBER 2020
PO Box 9566 Pacific Paradise QLD 4564
ABN 60 625 108 625
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
DOCUMENT CONTROL TABLE
Document: Arboricultural Assessment Report
Client: Palm Lakes Works
Project Number: J000742
Project: Proposed footpath alignment
Site: Elm Street, Cooroy
File Ref: C:\Users\JoshuaLee-NorthCoast\Dropbox\CLIENTS\PALM LAKE
WORKS\04 REPORTING\Arborist Assessment Report - PALM LAKES
FOOTPATH
Version Date Distribution Author/s Approved
1 14/12/2020 Jessica Rissman – Palm R. Cairney N. Willis (B. Sc., Dip. CLM.,
Lake Works BDes (L’Arch) mAABR) – Principal
AssocDegAppSc Ecologist
(Biology) DipHort (Arb)
AILA
DISCLAIMER
To the extent permitted by law, North Coast Environmental Services (including its employees, partners and consultants)
excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses,
and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly, from using this publication (in part or whole) and any information
or material contained in it.
© 2020 i
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
North Coast Environmental Services have been commissioned to inspect, record findings and
prepare an Arboricultural Assessment Report in relation to trees which may be impacted by the
proposed construction of a new footpath within the road reserve of Elm Street, Cooroy. The proposed
footpath is to connect to an existing internal access pathway located in Palm Lakes Resort to the
north and terminate to the south at the corner of Pearson’s Road.
The outcomes of the Arboricultural investigations identified the following:
Trees which will be impacted by the proposed Pathway 2 alignment include native regrowth,
woody weeds, dead trees and semi-mature trees;
Three semi-mature trees have been nominated for removal due to poor/fair health and
structural characteristics;
One mature tree is proposed to be retained as a habitat tree and will require minor adjustment
of the footpath alignment to accommodate its retention;
The footpath alignment will require the removal of approximately 47 native trees measuring
under 100mm DBH. The majority of trees to be removed comprise Allocasuarina littoralis
(black sheoak), Acacia disparrima (hickory wattle) and Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp
box); and
Offset planting is to be undertaken to compensate for the loss of native vegetation.
© 2020 ii
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... ii
1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Background .................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Proposed Works ............................................................................................................ 1
1.3 Assessment Area .......................................................................................................... 1
2 SURVEY METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Field Survey ................................................................................................................... 3
3 ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................................................. 4
4 RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS ..................................................................................... 9
5 DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................ 10
6 REFERENCES............................................................................................................................ 11
APPENDIX 1 – VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN ..................................................................... 12
APPENDIX 2 – CIVIL DESIGN DRAWINGS ..................................................................................... 13
APPENDIX 3 – TREE PROTECTION FENCING DETAIL (AS4970-2009) ........................................... 14
APPENDIX 4 – DEFINITIION OF TERMS ........................................................................................... 15
© 2020 iii
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
North Coast Environmental Services have been commissioned to inspect, record findings and
prepare an Arboricultural Assessment Report in relation to trees which may be impacted by the
proposed construction of a new footpath within the road reserve of Elm Street, Cooroy.
The scope of works addressed in this report comprises:
An assessment of the potential ecological value of the vegetation contained within the site;
A site inspection to identify trees suitable for retention, removal or remedial works based on
the design plans supplied by Calibre Consulting;
Preparation of a tree survey plan and vegetation assessment schedule to be used to
pictorially identify Arborist recommendations and actions. Recommendations relate to tree
protection requirements under AS4970 in addition to findings in respect to tree
health/structure and habitat features; and
Identification of suitable mitigation measures to minimise the environmental impacts of the
proposed works.
1.2 Proposed Works
The proposed works include the installation of a 2m wide footpath to be located within the road
reserve of Elm St, Cooroy. Battering will be required to establish an appropriate footpath gradient
due to the existing verge profile.
Two options for the footpath alignment have been provided by Calibre Consulting and have been
considered for the assessment. These include:
Pathway Option 1 – Located nearest to the roadway with a standard footpath setback to TMR
standards; and
Pathway Option 2 – Furthest from the roadway (safest option for pedestrians). Occurs within
the TPZ (Tree Protection Zone) of a larger number of trees.
The civil design drawings have been included as Appendix 2.
1.3 Assessment Area
The assessment area includes all tree species existing within the proposed footpath alignments and
trees adjacent that may be impacted by the footpath installation and associated earthworks.
Existing slashed grass cover exists within the road reserve of Elm Street, in addition to native
plantings and regrowth which provide a buffer between Palm Lakes Resort, Elm Street, and the
adjoining railway line.
Plate 1 depicts the location of the assessment area.
© 2020 1
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
Plate 1 – Assessment Area (Source: Nearmap)
© 2020 2
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) 2 SURVEY METHODOLOGY 2.1 Field Survey A site inspection was conducted on 7th December 2020. The assessment consisted of a ground assessment using the methods described by Matheny & Clark and Ed Hayes guide to Evaluating Tree Defects. The inspection was a Level 2 Basic Assessment (as per International Society of Arboriculture Guidelines). All measurements are approximate. Tree characteristics were noted in the field for tree species occurring within proximity of the footpath which are likely to be affected by the proposed works. Tree characteristics were recorded using a standard tree hazard evaluation form, whereby existing tree characteristics, tree health/structure, existing site conditions and tree defects were recorded and later assessed against proposed works within the TPZ of assessed trees. From this an overall hazard rating was prescribed and has been used as the impetus for tree recommendations. © 2020 3
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) 3 ASSESSMENT Based on the results of the site inspection, design Pathway Option 2 would result in a greater impact on the ecological resources existing within the assessment area. However, the overall ecological value of the vegetation is low due to the size and shape of the vegetation patch which includes mostly regrowth species (<100mm DBH), planted native trees and semi-mature native trees. Overall, the assessment area is dominated by juvenile native species which display structural deformities due to their presence on the western edge of the vegetation patch, resulting in phototropic leans towards the future footpath. Several semi-mature trees over 400mm were assessed and overall were observed to exhibit fair to poor health and structural characteristics, notably large amounts of canopy deadwood, arboreal termitariums, epicormic shoots and signs of past damages to the cambium. Due to existing health and structural factors these trees have been nominated for removal where deadwood and future branch failure poses a direct risk to the footpath. Refer to the Vegetation Assessment Schedule (VAS) for a description of tree characteristics. Plates 2-4. © 2020 4
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
Table 1 – VEGETATION ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE (VAS)
# Scientific Name Common Name DBH TPZ (m) Health Structure Arborist Comment Action Hollows
(mm) AS4970
1 Acacia disparrima Hickory Wattle 220 2.64 Fair Fair Remove N
2 Acacia disparrima Hickory Wattle 350 4.2 Fair Fair Remove N
3 Acacia disparrima Hickory Wattle 300 3.6 Fair Fair Remove N
4 Dead Tree 180 2.16 Poor Poor Dead Tree Remove N
5 Jagera pseudorhus Foam bark 80 2 Good Good Remove N
6 Eriobotrya japonica Loquat 190 2.28 Good Good Weed Remove N
7 Lophostemon confertus Brushbox 110 2 Good Good Remove N
8 Melaleuca quinquenervia Broad Leaved Paperbark 270 3.24 Fair Poor Remove N
9 Melaleuca quinquenervia Broad Leaved Paperbark 400 4.8 Fair Poor Remove N
10 Corymbia intermedia Pink Bloodwood 650 7.8 Poor Poor Remove N
11 Melaleuca quinquenervia Broad Leaved Paperbark 150 2 Fair Poor Remove N
12 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 200 2.4 Poor Poor Remove N
13 Lophostemon suaveolens Swamp Brushbox 50 2 Good Good Remove N
14 Lophostemon suaveolens Swamp Brushbox 100 2 Good Good Remove N
15 Acacia disparrima Hickory Wattle 80 2 Good Good Remove N
16 Lophostemon suaveolens Swamp Brushbox 60 2 Good Good Remove N
17 Acacia disparrima Hickory Wattle 60 2 Good Good Remove N
18 Lophostemon suaveolens Swamp Brushbox 90 2 Good Good Remove N
19 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Laurel 90 2 Good Good Weed Remove N
20 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Laurel 100 2 Good Good Weed Remove N
21 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Laurel 100 2 Good Good Weed Remove N
22 Lophostemon confertus Brushbox 900 10.8 Poor Poor Lop tree and retain as habitat Retain Y
23 Corymbia intermedia Pink Bloodwood 300 3.6 Poor Poor Remove N
24 Dead Tree 130 2 Poor Poor Dead Tree Remove N
25 Acacia disparrima Hickory Wattle 120 2 Fair Fair Remove N
26 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 50 2 Good Fair Remove N
27 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 80 2 Good Fair Remove N
28 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 100 2 Good Fair Remove N
29 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 80 2 Good Fair Remove N
30 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 80 2 Good Fair Remove N
31 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 120 2 Good Fair Remove N
32 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 90 2 Good Fair Remove N
33 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 50 2 Good Fair Remove N
34 Banksia integrifolia Coastal Banksia 50 2 Good Fair Remove N
35 Glochidion ferdinandi Cheese Tree 60 2 Good Good Remove N
36 Alphitonia excelsa Soap Tree 60 2 Good Good Remove N
37 Corymbia intermedia Pink Bloodwood 60 2 Good Good Remove N
38 Corymbia intermedia Pink Bloodwood 80 2 Good Good Remove N
39 Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak 220 2.64 Good Fair Remove N
40 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Laurel 220 2.64 Good Poor Remove N
41 Corymbia intermedia Pink Bloodwood 500 6 Fair Poor Poor health/structure Remove N
42 Acacia disparrima Hickory Wattle 100 2 Remove N
43 Dead Tree 150 2 Remove N
44 Planted Native 60 2 Remove N
45 Planted Native 90 2 Remove N
46 Planted Native 50 2 Remove N
© 2020 5
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) 47 Planted Native 50 2 Remove N 48 Planted Native 180 2.16 Remove N 49 Planted Native 120 2 Remove N 50 Melaleuca quinquenervia Broad Leaved Paperbark 300 3.6 Good Fair Remove N © 2020 6
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) Plate 2 – Trees 8-11 nominated for removal Plate 3 – Tree 22 Retain as habitat © 2020 7
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) Plate 4 – Tree 23 Remove Plate 5 – Tree 41 Remove © 2020 8
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
4 RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS
Refer to the VAS in Table 1 for a description of vegetation nominated for removal based on the site
assessment and design characteristics.
Due to the preference of a safe pedestrian pathway and the limited ecological value of the existing
vegetation buffer it is recommended that Pathway Option 2 be constructed with the following
recommendations:
It is recommended that a biodiversity offset is provided for all mature trees required for
removal. The offset is to be undertaken in accordance with NSC offset policy. Offsets should
be in the form of revegetation works which can be used to re-establish the existing vegetation
buffer between the new footpath and the property boundary.
Tree #22 exists within the pathway alignment. This tree has been lopped in the past and
displays a significant amount of epicormic growth that in time will overhang the future
pathway, presenting a direct risk to pathway users. As this tree contains lower basal hollows
it is recommended that this tree be lopped to height of approximately 4m and retained as a
habitat tree. In order to accommodate this tree, the footpath alignment will need to bend
around or be reduced in width (refer to Plate 3).
Remove saplings, small trees and shrubs which occur within 1m of the footpath in order to
reduce ongoing maintenance.
Deadwooding and canopy reduction is to be undertaken to semi-mature trees that are
setback from the pathway edge (approximately 6m).
All trees nominated for removal should be stump ground to a minimum 300mm or as required
to construct the footpath to the design levels. This includes all historic tree stumps present
within the footpath alignment.
Erect tree protective fencing along the surveyed earthworks extent (toe of batter). Fencing to
remain in place during works.
Any works which are to be performed in or around a tree’s SRZ (structural root zone) requires
on site supervision by the project arborist.
All protection works must be in accordance with ‘AS 4970 2009 Protection of Trees on
Development Sites’.
Hazard assessment and follow-up hazard assessment (12 months after works) should be
undertaken to identify any further deadwooding required.
© 2020 9
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) 5 DISCLAIMER Recommendations in the report are based on Arboricultural best practice, relevant training, site information, site visits, AS4970-2009 (Protection of Trees on Development Sites) and AS4373-2007 (Pruning of Amenity Trees). Clients may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of this assessment and report. This report must be read in its entirety. At no time shall part of this report be used unless taken in the full context of the report. Trees are living organisms that fail in ways the Arboricultural industry does not fully understand. Trees can be managed, but not controlled. To be within the vicinity of a tree presents some degree of risk. North Coast Environmental Services cannot be held accountable for any authorised or un-authorised works to trees outside the recommendations presented in this report. North Coast Environmental Services and their employees are unable to detect all conditions that may lead to structural and health related problems in trees. Conditions are often hidden within trees and below ground. North Coast Environmental Services cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all circumstances, or for a period of time. Likewise, remedial treatments cannot be guaranteed. All measurements and tree locations are based on surveyed information acquired through third parties, such as consultants and clients. North Coast Environmental Services cannot be held accountable for any inaccurate information supplied by clients or consultants. This report is subject to copyright laws and no part can be reproduced or used without the written permission of North Coast Environmental Services. If this report is to be used in a Court of Law or in any legal situation. North Coast Environmental Services must be advised prior to the written assessment being presented in any form. North Coast Environmental Services will not be required to give testimony or to attend court by reason of this report unless contractual arrangements have been made detailing additional fees for services. This report must not be conveyed to the public through advertising, public relations, news, sales or any other printed media without the ‘written permission’ of North Coast Environmental Services. There is no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied that the problems or deficiencies of the plants or property in question may not arise in the future. © 2020 10
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) 6 REFERENCES AS 4373-2007 Pruning of Amenity Trees. Standards Australia AS 2970 “Protection of Trees on Development Sites’ Standards Australia Hayes. E., (2007) Evaluating Tree Defects. Rochester MN. © 2020 11
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) APPENDIX 1 – VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN © 2020 12
Page 17
LEGEND
ASSESSED VEGETATION SPREAD = TPZ (AS4970)
TREES FOR RETENTION
REFER VEGETATION ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
TREES POSSIBLE FOR RETENTION
THE INTENT IS TO RETAIN THESE TREES SUBJECT TO
50 FINAL ASSESSMENT ONSITE BY THE PROJECT ARBORIST.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE NALL APPROVAL
THESE TREES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED REMOVED.
TREES TO BE RETAINED OUTSIDE OF IMPACT AREA
JOINS INSET B
JOINS INSET A
GRIND EXISTING STUMP
35
34
33
49
32
48
REMOVE LINE OF JUVENILE
31
SHEOAK WESTERN
47
PHOTOTROPIC LEAN
30
46
29
45
28
27
26
25
24
CUT AT APPROXIMATELY 4m AT RETAIN AS
HABITAT TREE. BEND FOOTPATH AROUND
TO ACCOMMODATE HABITAT TREE
23
21
22 REMOVE GROUP OF JUVENILE TREES
20
18 19
17
16
15
14
44
13
43 42
12
41
REMOVE TREES. GROUP
INCLUDES DEAD TREES,
40
39 WATTLES AND WEED
10 9 SPECIES.
11
8 POTENTIAL REPLANTING
6 AREA TO BUFFER FENCE
LINE
7 4
5
3
REMOVE 2 JUVENILE
COR INT TO
FOOTPATH EDGE
38 2
37
1
36
GRIND EXISTING STUMP
JOINS INSET B
JOINS INSET A
INSET A INSET B
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN PROJECT: PLAN: REV: NORTH:
ELM STREET, COOROY - PALM LAKES FOOTPATH J000742 VMP01 A
TEXT HERE CS01
FOR PALM LAKE WORKS SCALE: 1:500 @ A3 NTS @ A1
DATE: 10 DEC 2020
COPYRIGHT © 2020 NORTH COAST ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES PTY LTD THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE COPIED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS IN PART OR IN WHOLE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT
Page 18
VEGETATION ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE (VAS)
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN PROJECT: PLAN: REV: NORTH:
ELM STREET, COOROY - PALM LAKES FOOTPATH J000742 BC01 C
TEXT HERE CS01
FOR PALM LAKE WORKS SCALE: 1:1000 @ A3 NTS @ A1
DATE: 10 DEC 2020
COPYRIGHT © 2020 NORTH COAST ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES PTY LTD THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE COPIED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS IN PART OR IN WHOLE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT
Page 19
Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) APPENDIX 2 – CIVIL DESIGN DRAWINGS © 2020 13
Page 20
CT 216.74
TC
CTP 205.4
CT 2
219
.14
06.84
7
PROPOSED PATH REALIGNMENT
9
200
88
5
180
TC 1
CT 1 6.645
TC 13
160
CT 118.614
45.14
TC 1
38.47
0.0
00
140
16.0
4
120
0
10
100
CT 7
TC 70
1.49
80
20
.517
CT 422.237
TC 4
9
60
CT 3
CT 3 070
.463
7.41
7.
40
TC
5
32.
96 2
0
12
8.
26
TC 248.337
CT 237.305
TC
2
240
33.
TC 26
778
CT 216.74
1.733
TC
CTP 205.4
CT 2
260
219
220
.14
06.84
CT 25
7
4.640
9
88
5
REF NO.
DRAWN CHECK STATUS SCALE CLIENT PROJECT DRAWING TITLE
REVISION DATE ISSUE DETAILS DRAWN DESIGN
A 13.11.20 FOR APPROVAL CG CG FOR APPROVAL 19 TRADING POST ROAD
PROPOSED FOOTPATH
B AW
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION COOROY TMR PREFERRED
C
D DESIGN CHECK APPROVED
ANTHONY WRIGHT RPEQ: 22962
PALM LAKE WORKS PTY LTD PALM LAKE RESORT ALIGNMENT
E
PROJECT No. DRAWING No. REVISION
F DISCLAIMER
G
AW
C calibregroup.com
ALL DIMENSIONS TO BE CHECKED ON SITE BY CONTRACTOR PRIOR TO
CONSTRUCTION. USE WRITTEN DIMENSIONS ONLY, DO NOT SCALE.
15-001261 SK10 A
H FOR & ON BEHALF OF CALIBRE CONSULTING (QLD) PTY LTD
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742 Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes) APPENDIX 3 – TREE PROTECTION FENCING DETAIL (AS4970-2009) © 2020 14
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
APPENDIX 4 – DEFINITIION OF TERMS
AS4373-2007 Australian Standard relating to the Pruning of Amenity Trees.
AS4970-2009 Australian Standard relating to the Protection of Trees on Development Sites
Amenity Trees: Trees with recreational, functional, environmental, ecological, health, social or
aesthetic value rather than production purposes.
Tree: Long lived perennial plant usually greater than 3m high. Trees possess roots, stem
and leaves.
Leaves: The main photosynthetic tree component. Used for the production of sugars and
oxygen for energy production required for cellular function, non-woody component of
a tree.
Trunk: Organ which supports branches, leaves, flowers and fruiting bodies.
Aerial Inspection: Arboricultural inspection of upper branches unable to be viewed from ground.
Generally performed by and climber/Arborist.
Arborist: Person with level 3 Arboricultural training as per the Australian Qualification
Framework (AQF)
Consulting Arborist: Person with level 5 Arboricultural training as per the Australian Qualification
Framework (AQF)
DBH: Diameter at breast height measured 1.4m above ground level.
Height: Measure of tree height from root plate to highest leaves.
Spread: Measure of the tree’s width from outermost leaves.
Vigor: Inherent genetic capacity of a tree to deal with stress.
Vitality: Ability of plant to deal effectively with stress.
Co dominant: Stems or trunks close to the same diameter originating from the same location on
the main stem.
Compartmentalization: Compartmentalization of decay in trees (CODIT). Trees defence mechanism to stop
the spread of decay to adjacent tissues.
Included Bark: Inwardly formed bark within the junction of branches and/or co-dominant branches.
Pathogen: Any disease-causing organism
Wound: An opening in a tree where pathogens can enter.
Epicormic Growth: Weak shoots produced from epicormic buds located at the cambium of trunks and/or
branches. Often caused by poor pruning practices. Can also be called waterspouts,
whorls and suckers.
Dead Wood (DW): Branches within the canopy that have died. This is a natural occurrence that can be
accelerated through poor site management including inadequate exclusion zones.
Drip Line: Circumference of tree canopy projected upon the ground plane. Area where water
lands beneath tree canopy under the influence of gravity.
Compaction: Soil that has been compressed to a level that gas and water exchange has been
limited. This in turn prevents the tree from obtaining the vital minerals it requires.
Decay: An area where fungal and/or bacterial agents that have affected the tree causing
degradation of the woody tissue.
Decay Pockets: An area of decay isolated or compartmentalised by the tree. This is not always
critical however, the level of decay requires monitoring.
Poor Pruning: Pruning that does not comply with Australian Standards AS4373.
Protective Fencing: Fencing as per Vegetation Management Plans (VMP) or Tree protection plans (TPP)
as per Local council specifications or landscape details.
Class 2 Prune (Cl 2): Pruning to remove any dead wood greater than 50mm in diameter to improve the
safety or structure of trees. This must comply with AS4373
Weight Reduction: Pruning of selected branches in compliance with AS4373 to reduce pressure on
branch unions. This should be carried out with Class 2 pruning and is mainly on
lateral branches.
Aeration: Use of compressed air injected into the soil profile to create fissures and reverse the
effects of compaction.
© 2020 15
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Arboricultural Assessment Report v1 NCES REF: J000742
Proposed Footpath – Elm St, Cooroy (Palm Lakes)
Supervision: All works should be carried out by a qualified Arborist. Inspection of protection
measure to ensure they are kept in place.
Root Zone: Area protected from through protective fencing or exclusion zones.
Poor Form (PF): The tree has not grown true to typical species form. May present high risk of failure
through non-conforming branch angles or attachment.
Poor Trunk Taper: Trunk taper is an indicator of tree health and root growth.
TPZ: Tree protection zone to be established before construction commencing as per
AS4970
SRZ: Structural Root Zone as defined in AS4970
Sapling: Species up to 2 years
Juvenile: Between 2 and 5 years
Semi-Mature: Tree is still growing
Mature: Species has reached expected size and/or has begun to reproduce. Stable or near
stable biomass.
STRUCTURE
Excellent: Full Balanced crown, Great example specimen, Good foliage colour (true to species,
little or negligible pathogen damage.
Good: Full crown (may be slightly unbalanced), Good foliage colour (true to species), slight
pathogen presence.
Fair: Less than 30% deadwood, less than 80% foliage colour consistency through canopy,
minor pathogen damage present, inconsistent form for species, nutrient deficiencies
may be present.
Poor: Over 30% deadwood, Distorted and discoloured foliage present, stress symptoms
are present and may lead to the decline of the tree.
Dead: Tree possesses no living cells.
FORM
Excellent: Excellent branch attachment, no structural defects, sound trunk, good buttressing,
no root damage present to inspected depths.
Good: Good branch attachment, no major structural defects, Minor trunk damage only,
good buttressing, no root damage present at inspected depths.
Fair: Minor structural defects and/or damages, bark may be missing and cavities may be
present. May be minor damage to roots.
Poor: Major structural defects are present. May be problematic trunk angles, girdling roots,
root damage and branch attachments. Major cavities and decay may be causing
structural instability.
Hazardous: Tree poses immediate hazard potential and therefore remedial works should be
undertaken ASAP.
SIGNIFICANCE
High/Moderate/Low: A tree’s significance in the landscape. This may include but not be limited to visual
amenity, historic value, local and site perspective. The tree may be native or it may
also be native and endemic to the site. An exotic species such as a mature English
Oak in excellent health and condition may be classed as having a higher significance
than an over-mature native Forest Red Gum.
This category also applies to species that provide an amenity to streetscape or park
areas where their appreciated by a large number of people or have significant fauna
habitat value.
© 2020 16