Reports
Arborist Reports
An arborist report is a written document describing trees on a property, their condition, and what should be done with them. Cities ask for one with removal permits and building plans, and insurers, courts and buyers use them as evidence.
Call availability varies by area and time of day. Calls are answered by an independent tree service provider.
When do you need an arborist report?
When someone other than you has to make a decision about a tree. That usually means a city reviewing a removal permit or building plan, an insurer or court looking at damage, or a homeowners association deciding a dispute.
- Permits
- Many cities require a report to remove a protected or heritage tree, or to show that a tree is dead or hazardous.
- Construction
- Site plans often must show existing trees, which will be kept, and how they will be protected.
- Disputes and claims
- Neighbor boundary trees, storm damage claims and timber trespass cases rely on documented condition and value.
Common reports and what each covers
| Report | Contents | Typical requester |
|---|---|---|
| Tree condition letter | Species, size, health and a recommendation for one or a few trees | City permit office, homeowner |
| Tree risk assessment report | Likelihood of failure, targets and mitigation options using a standard method | Permit office, property manager, insurer |
| Tree inventory | Every tree above a set size, numbered on a site plan with condition ratings | Builder, developer, planning department |
| Tree protection plan | Root zone fencing, construction limits and monitoring during the build | Planning department, builder |
| Appraisal | Value of a tree using a recognized appraisal method | Insurer, attorney, court |
What a credible report includes
- Who wrote it
- Name, credentials such as ISA Certified Arborist or Registered Consulting Arborist, and the date of the site visit.
- Tree identification
- Species, trunk diameter at 4.5 feet, height, location on a site plan and a tag number if tagged.
- Observations
- Specific defects with photographs, not general statements about health.
- Method
- How risk or value was evaluated, and any tools used, such as a resistance drill or sounding mallet.
- Recommendation
- A clear action for each tree with the reasoning behind it.
- Limitations
- What was not inspected, such as roots under paving or the upper crown.
How a report is prepared
Scope
The arborist confirms what the report is for and what the city or client requires it to cover.
Site visit
Trees are measured, tagged if needed, photographed and inspected.
Mapping
For building projects, trees and their root protection zones are placed on the survey or site plan.
Draft and review
The report is written to the reviewing agency's format and checked against its ordinance.
Follow-up
Some cities require the arborist to inspect again during or after construction.
Who can write a report
Requirements depend on the city. Many accept a report from an ISA Certified Arborist. Some require an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification for hazard reports, or a Registered Consulting Arborist for appraisals and legal work. A few states license arborists, and a few cities keep their own lists of accepted report authors.
A report from the company that would also do the removal is accepted in many places, though some reviewers give more weight to an independent consultant.
Independent consultant or tree company arborist
Independent consulting arborist
- Does not perform the work recommended
- Often preferred for disputes, appraisals and court
- Reports tend to be detailed and formal
Arborist at a tree company
- Can inspect and do the work
- Accepted for many permit applications
- Faster for simple dead or hazardous tree letters
For a routine permit, ask the city which it accepts. For anything that may end in a claim or lawsuit, use an independent consultant.
What reviewers look for
- Matching the ordinance
- The report should use the same diameter measurements and definitions as the local code.
- Photographs
- Clear photos of the defects described, with a scale reference where possible.
- Alternatives
- Whether pruning, cabling or design changes could keep the tree.
- Replacement
- How the removal will be mitigated, where the code requires it.
Arborist report questions
How long is an arborist report valid?
Trees change, so many cities only accept reports from site visits within the last six months to a year. Check with the reviewing office.
Can a report guarantee a permit will be approved?
No. The report gives the reviewer evidence. The decision rests with the city or agency under its own code.
Do I need a report for a dead tree?
Some cities waive permits for dead trees but still want documentation, often photos or a short letter, before or after removal.
Can I use my neighbor's arborist report?
Reviewers and courts usually want a report prepared for the property and purpose in question, from a site visit they can verify.
Do buyers use arborist reports?
Yes. A tree inspection before buying a home is a short report focused on the trees a buyer is taking on.
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