Tree Assessments and Reports: When and Why Should You Hire an Arborist?
As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the trees on and around your property. You need to take care of their health and appearance so they can thrive and live as long as possible. And while you can manage to do some smaller tasks by yourself, hiring a professional to do the job is always a good idea.
Some situations, such as starting a development project, require a professional tree approach. An arborist report, for example, is required by law in many cases. What are some of the most typical arborist consulting services? And why it’s best to hire a qualified arborist for them?
Essential Arborist Services
Risk Assessments
Tree risk assessments are one of the most common arborist consulting services offered. As the name implies, a risk assessment inspects the risk that a tree or multiple trees pose to people or properties. The main goal of the arborist is to find out if there’s an urgent threat or not. If there are chances of a tree or its branches falling, the next step is to inspect its consequences. The final goal is to determine some options for you as a tree owner or a person responsible for the tree.
There are two main risk assessment methods: observation and detailed assessment. The first one includes a basic overview of the tree’s health, while the second is a detailed analysis made using diagnostic tools. Sometimes, it includes soil and moisture inspection, as well.
Why are tree risks assessments important for you? It can be beneficial to regularly assess your trees in this way and make it a part of your tree care routine. Knowing a tree’s health condition and its likelihood of failure will help you decide what to do with it before it falls and hurts someone or cause damage to your property.
How often should you inspect your trees depends on the level of risk and the age of the trees. The general recommendation is that trees are inspected every 1-5 years. Many tree owners also decide to get a tree risk assessment when they move into a new house. If you live in an area where storms and extreme weather occur regularly, it can be helpful to inspect trees before the forecasted event.
Arborist Reports
Tree reports are also known as tree surveys. You can get a tree report solely or following your risk assessment. When do you need a report? Whether planning anything from small construction work in your garden to starting a new building project, you’ll most likely need to provide a tree report if there are trees nearby. The main goal is to help you quickly manage the trees on your property for any development project.
An arborist report can help you make well-informed decisions that can broadly impact your project. For example, you may find out that a particular tree is among the species protected by law. Since you have to keep the tree, you can incorporate it into the future designs so it blends nicely into them.
Or, you may learn that a tree near the house has some decay or fungal infection. As these factors might cause its fall at any point, the best decision would be to remove the tree before you start building.
Such tree problems are often invisible to the common eye. Therefore, they need a professional approach. With their special tools and knowledge, arborists can provide you with the best tree survey report.
Why Hire a Consulting Arborist?
What is a consulting arborist? Professional consulting arborists are qualified to give tree advice, management and construction around trees. Although qualifications may vary, the standard is an AQF Level 5 (Diploma level) qualification in arboriculture. A level 5 qualification contains the vast amount of soil and tree structure information that arborists must know to base their assessments. It’s an applied science; ideally, even arborists with higher qualifications (such as AQF Level 8) should have an AQF Level 5 as well. What are some of the reasons why you should hire a qualified arborist?
They Have the Knowledge
A knowledgeable arborist can help you decide by providing you with more alternative solutions other than “remove or retain”. In many cases, achieving your goal without removing a tree is possible. Such tree management goes beyond tree removal and pruning; it considers the bigger picture – the urban forest. A professional will also consider the context and reasonable alternatives before making a decision, without a perceived bias towards tree work.
They Have the Equipment
Certified arborists have the proper tools for tree removal and pruning to do the job with minimal damage to your tree and property. Also, they have the right diagnostic tools, such as resistographs, 3D imaging and rubber mallets. By using these tools, they can go deep into the tree to inspect it thoroughly. That way, you’ll have the complete information to make an informed decision.
They Care for Trees
The main goal for most tree-cutting companies is to sell their services. Although there are tree care companies that mean well, most of them only care to get a job done (or a tree removed). While hiring a consultant may seem like an unnecessary step for you, it can protect both you and the trees. It’s like a buffer between the homeowner and the tree industry. Consulting might be an extra step, but it’s important to save you money in the long run. In addition, it will result in a healthier outcome for the tree while providing you with an unbiased and professional opinion.
Your Guide to Casein Powder and Its Benefits
If your fitness goal is gaining some lean muscle, adding more protein to your diet is a great way to start. Getting the right amount of protein at the right time is vital, and you can do it through food or supplements. One of the most common protein types is casein. It can help you achieve your goal by complementing your workout plan. Casein comes from cow’s milk and comprises about 80% of the entire milk protein. It’s actually the curds and not the liquid part. Manufacturers drain the milk, wash the curds and then drain and dry them. When this is over, they ground it into the casein protein powder we buy from the store.
Read More
The Whats and Hows of RC Drift Cars
There’s something incredibly fun in throwing a car sideways around a racetrack with the front in oversteer and wheels pointing in opposite directions on the turn. This is drifting. Drivers use the throttle, brakes, clutch and just the right amount of steering input to get the rear wheels to lose traction and thrust the car into hairpin turns or doughnuts at speed. Drifting might not be the fastest way around a racetrack, but a drift car in the right hands comes close. Here you’re looking at rear-wheel-drive manuals with limited-slip differentials and coilovers. Or the likes of Nissan Skylines and Silvias, Toyota Supras, and Mazda RX7s and what started the whole drifting craze, back in 1990s Japan.
Read More
Russell Athletic: Upgrade Your Casual Wardrobe With These Athletic Must-Haves
Athleisure has grown in popularity in recent years, with more and more people opting to dress in comfortable, sporty clothing both inside and outside of the gym. You can now go out to dinner with friends and family or run errands around town while wearing your favourite athletic attire.
Read More
Must-Have Snowboarding Gear and Tips That will help you go from Beginner to Pro
You’ve seen it on TV and maybe even talked about it with your friends. But what does snowboarding really involve? Similar to mountain biking, most people probably have a fuzzy idea of this action-packed, adrenaline-inducing sport that involves hurtling down a hill at breakneck speed with just one plank of wood between you and an icy death drop. If you want to learn more about this unique winter activity, let me help you with some crucial snowboarding tips. Below you will find some pointers that will help you hit the slopes like a pro while minimizing the risk of injury along the way.
Read More
Enjoy a Fun Day in the Sun With These 15 Must-Haves
While many people simply throw a towel in the car and apply sunscreen, there are beach accessories that can make your day in the sun even more enjoyable. Remember that you don’t have to go to the beach to have fun, relax, and take a refreshing bath. You can also take the kids to a pool, spa, or waterpark. In this instance, a large pool/beach bag and a shade beach tent, among the other products and accessories, are still required to keep you comfortable and protected from the sun and pests.
Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Do you ever stop to admire a random house as you’re walking or driving by, and wonder to yourself how they made their home look so darn good? Maybe it’s the perfectly manicured lawn, the way the flowers in the garden are blooming or the way the outdoor furniture is arranged. Whatever it is, there’s no doubt that first impressions count—especially when it comes to your home.
Read More