If you have trees on your property, then you may have occasion to need an arborist’s report. In order to understand why you would need such a report, it is first necessary to understand what an arborist does.

What is an arborist?

An arborist is a professional who is concerned with the health and safety of individual trees, shrubs, vines and other perennial woody plants. An arborist doesn’t manage forests (forestry) or harvest trees (logging). A Certified Arborist is one who has achieved certification with the International Society of Arboriculture by passing exams and then participating in yearly continuing education courses.

What is an Arborist Report?

An arborist report can only be written by a Certified Arborist. The details of the report will vary depending on the requirements of your situation but basically it is an analysis of the health and condition of a tree and the site where it is growing. Issues addressed in these reports can include the presence or absence of disease, the safety of the structure of the tree and recommendations regarding pruning or removal of the tree.

Why do I need an arborist report?

Arborist reports are most commonly used when a homeowner is seeking a permit to prune or remove a tree on their property which is owned by the municipality or if the landscaping is governed by a homeowner’s association. An arborist’s report will determine if a tree is a hazard and needs to be removed because it is diseased or dead. In addition to removal, the report could recommend suitable replacement trees if the original tree was not appropriate to the site or if conditions in the landscape have changed significantly since the tree in question was planted. The report could recommend pruning the tree which would remove limbs that are a danger to buildings or people as well as contribute to the overall health of the tree.

If a tree on your property appears to be ailing, an arborist report can determine what is wrong, for instance insect infestation, disease or improper pruning, and recommend a course of action to bring the tree back to health.

You could also use an arborist report to value a tree for insurance purposes or if you are making a legal claim for damages due to vandalism. An arborist determines the value of a tree by taking into consideration the species of tree, the size of the tree, the condition of the tree and the location of the tree.

Arborist reports are used in personal injury lawsuits, insurance claims, property purchase and development, and in disputes between owners of adjacent properties.

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Peter Wendt enjoys taking care of his yard when he’s not writing or researching his next project. For those seeking more information about landscaping, Wendt suggests his readers click here.