Our Work
The Sleeping Gentleman
The Problem
One day, Phil receives a phone call from a new client. This job is a little different than usual:
Our client is an elderly gentleman who lives in a townhouse in an inner-city suburb. Right outside his bedroom window is a massive Eucalyptus tree. The tree is twenty metres (20m) tall, yet it exists on small council verge less than two metres (2m) wide. Not only one, but two large branches hang right over his bedroom. This gentleman finds it difficult to sleep knowing that either one of those branches could crush him in his sleep.
Our client has spent eighteen months trying to negotiate with the local government. He has even spent lots of money by hiring a solicitor but still without any luck. The local council refuses to prune or remove the tree.
Finally, the solicitor recommends giving Phil a call.
A site inspection is organized for within the week.
The Inspection and Report
Phil listens to the client’s concerns, examines the tree and is immediately hit with the solution.
Phil recommends the installation of two (2) special straps: “Yale Brace Straps” that can each withstand two tonnes of force. Each limb is held in place and connected to a higher limb within the tree canopy. If the branches were to fail, the straps would hold the branches in place, therefore not damaging the house or hurting its occupants. Then the local council or SES would be able to come and safely remove the branch.
The report was finalised and sent to the client within the next two (2) days.
Problem Solved
Phil followed up with the client four (4) weeks later to see how the situation had progressed. The straps had been installed and the local government had even agreed to cover half the cost of their installation. The eighteen-month long battle with the local government had been resolved really quickly with a simple cost-effective solution.
The client now sleeps well at night, knowing that the limbs above his head are firmly secured.
The Neighbourhood Tree Dispute
Client’s Initial Call
Phil receives a phone call from a client about their neighbour’s tree. The tree is a twenty metre (20m) tall Spotted Gum (or Corymbia maculata) which was located only one metre (1m) from the boundary fence. His concern is about the branches that hang over his property. He wants to know the tree’s general structural condition and the whether or not the tree poses a risk of harm to members of his family.
So, Phil arranges a meeting and site inspection for within a few days.
The Inspection and Report
Phil listens to the clients concerns and performs an inspection and tree risk assessment. The Tree Risk Rating worked out to be at a “Tolerable Risk of harm” to him and his family; the tree was leaning away from his home and the three branches, ranging from 3.5m to 7m in length, that were hanging over the boundary line, were of a tolerable size in diameter.
Phil decided to include in the report about the neighbour’s “General Legal Duty” regarding the tree’s ownership and safety, so that our client could hand their neighbour a copy.
Phil finalised the report and sent it the client within two (2) days.
The Solution
Phil followed up with the client four (4) weeks later to understand how the situation had progressed. Understandably, the neighbour had initially been unpleased to receive their copy of the report; but later, had understood their legal obligations and their neighbour’s concerns about possible damage to their home and family.
Future Park and Children’s Play Equipment
The Development Site
In the far south of the Perth Metropolitan area, a new development site is quickly arising. The project contains hundreds of new properties, a site for a future independent private school and a small area of remaining bushland that will be turned into a family friendly park.
At the site of the future park, some of the small shrubbery has been cleared away, but there is still a lot of work to be done before it is ready. Grass and play equipment need to be added; and the existing trees need to be safely appropriated within the park space as best as possible. There are fourty-nine (49) mature trees within the site. Some are unhealthy or even dead and need to be removed; others have small problems; and still others are perfectly healthy and shouldn’t be touched. But, all trees need to be checked to make sure that they are perfectly safe.
Checking the trees directly around the future play equipment is of an especially high priority. They need to be safe for children to be around for many hours every day.
The developers will sub-contract the tree works out to a tree surgeon; but before they do that, they need an Arboricultural Consultant to confirm exactly what tree works are required.
The Inspection and Report
Phil is at the site within a week of being called. This job is particularly large, so he has brought his assistant and son, John, to help him out.
They systematically work their way through the trees, recording each tree number onto a map. Phil calls out the name of each tree, it’s overall health and structural integrity ratings and any specific problems with the tree or works required. John types what his father says onto a laptop; and when the battery dies, he continues with pen and paper.
After four hours pass, they are finished, and head to the office to finalise the report. Phil summarises the tree works and recommendations onto a separate report as well, so that the developer can quickly pass those along to a tree surgeon for preparation.
Despite the number of trees, and the incredible accuracy with which they were working, the report is still finalised within 48 hours and sent straight back to the developer; so that the development can continue without delay.
Future Vegetation Control Agreements (VCA’s)
Client’s Initial Call
Future Vegetation Control Agreements (VCA’s)
A gentleman rang Phil about a Vegetation Control Agreement (VCA) - Arboricultural Report for the two trees within his property.
A VCA is required for tree/s situated within your property that are near Western Power lines. These agreements need to be complete every two years.
The site inspection
On arriving at the site, the client was not at home, I started to measure the trees, took all the photos and place all the information into the laptop. The client arrived back for doing some shopping. We talked briefly and I informed him that the two trees are clear of the Western Power lines and all is well for the next two years.
The Report
I write the report up and emailed it to the client that afternoon.
The follow up 4 weeks later
I followed up the client 4 weeks later, he had submitted the VCA to Western Power with no issue
