Put simply, an arborist is a tree doctor. Sometimes confused with a landscaper, arborists are knowledgeable about nature and its needs. They know how to perform the proper care and treatment when vegetation is sick. When dealing with trees and plants, arborists can cover a variety of responsibilities. These aspects include areas relating to growth, cultivation, pruning, disease identification and treatment, decay and other practical aspects or areas.
In performing these functions, arborists use a series of specialised equipment. The equipment used is pretty straightforward consisting of mostly common gardening equipment like a wheel barrow, spade, garden shearers. But in addition to trucks, ladders and rope.
The purpose and methodology behind an arborist report, is to protect the beautiful natural environment minimising negative externalities. This system effectively protects native and rare species.
Local councils will often require an arborist report when construction sites will disturb the surrounding environment. These arborist reports need to be produced by someone holding qualified certificates or diploma of some kind outlining the following details:
- Common names or scientific names of the plant(s) in question.
- Approximate height and age
- Canopy spread
- Diameter measurements
- Condition and structure health’
- Hazard assessment, if any hazards are present
- Life expectancy estimates using official practiced methods
With each of these arborist reports, supporting evidence is given whether that be photos etc. General discussion going through the minimization of damage and impacts is also given. Furthermore, preventative measures are suggested. Arborists reports protect trees.
Trees have a variety of short and long-term benefits. They produce oxygen and naturally clean the air. This allows them to naturally combat climate change reducing C02, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
During this process, trees filter bad air. They can actually absorb odours and certain types of pollution when suspended and settled on leaves. These pollutants include nitrous oxides, ammonia or sulphur dioxide, thereby reducing air pollution levels. Pines are excellent at processing these pollutants.
Arborist reports suggest that trees have multiple aesthetic urban landscaping effects. The natural green colour of trees and plants is known to be calming and relieves eye strain. Greenery also has placebo like effects increasing concentration and reducing mental fatigue. This can be further extended into reduce violence in neighbourhoods that are usually barren. Saplings are also natural markers of the shift between season changes.
Used as natural screens, vegetation has the ability to block and absorb sound, using their thick branches and leaves to reduce noise pollution by up to 40 percent. This works more effectively with a large grouping of trees. With these natural structures, shade is created. This not only cools the streets and city but shields us from dangerous skin cancer causing ultra-violet rays. A very beneficial advantage to young sun prone children.
Seedlings balance ecosystems. They are a great source of wood, a very useful commodity for creating paper and other products. Additionally, forests are known to provide food with fruit bearing vegetation. This always creates economic opportunities resulting in seasonal work opportunities. These forests provide safe spaces for natural habitat.
Arborist reports propose that specific shrubs can be used to reduce salinity, high sodium chloride or salt content in dirt. In a similar fashion, this vegetation saves water by slowing water evaporation. As greenery transpires, it increases the moisture in in the atmosphere flowing into the natural water cycle.
During this process, water pollution is prevented by reducing rainfall and breaking rainfall. Water flows down the trunk and naturally into groundwater supplies rather than manmade stormwater drains. Larger canopies increase this effect.
Unlike conventional wisdom conducting arborist reports is not a seasonable job. The most common area is determining life expectancy. This is calculated using half-life, the time by which half of the trees can be expected to die.
Arborists reports are also used at development sites to indicate potentially effected environmental impacts.