Last reviewed: May 2026

In many development situations, yes. Arborist input may be needed before or during a development application where existing trees could affect design, approval, retention, protection requirements or permit conditions.

The right next step depends on your site, the trees involved, the proposed works and how early you are in the design or application process.

What you’ll learn: this guide explains when arborist input may become relevant before a development application, what signs to look for, which report type may apply, and when to request advice before your plans are finalised.

Quick takeaways

• You may need arborist input if trees are close to proposed works.
• Early advice can help reduce redesign, delays and confusion later.
• The right report is not always obvious at the start.
• An Arboricultural Impact Assessment is often relevant where a development may affect trees.
• A Verbal Consultation can help if you are still unsure what report you need.

Why this question comes up early

Most people do not start a build, extension or development application thinking about trees first. The issue usually appears when a designer, planner, builder or council asks a simple question:

Will any trees be affected by the proposed works?

That question can become important very quickly if there are established trees on the site, neighbouring trees near the boundary, street trees close to access points, or trees that may need to be retained, protected, pruned or removed.

Early arborist advice can help clarify whether trees are likely to create design constraints, planning issues or protection requirements before the project moves too far ahead.



Common situations where arborist input may be needed

1. Trees are close to the proposed works

Arborist input may be needed when proposed works are close to existing trees.

This can include:

• a new dwelling
• a townhouse or unit development
• an extension
• a garage or carport
• a driveway or crossover
• excavation
• retaining walls
• service trenches
• demolition works
• changes to levels around trees



Even if the tree is not being removed, the works may still affect roots, canopy, soil levels or long-term tree health.

2. You are trying to keep trees but need to design around them

Sometimes the goal is not tree removal. The issue is how to design around retained trees.

This may involve understanding:

• whether a tree can realistically be retained
• how close works can occur
• where protection zones may affect the layout
• whether design changes may be needed
• whether construction methods need to change

This is where early advice can be valuable, because the tree information can inform the design instead of being dealt with after the plans are already locked in.



3. You are unsure whether council may ask for a report

This can depend on the site, planning controls, overlays, tree size, tree location and the nature of the proposed works.

For Melbourne-based projects, TMC’s Arborist Reports Melbourne page explains local reporting pathways in more detail.

Planning controls can also change over time. For example, Planning Victoria provides guidance on protecting and enhancing tree canopy, including how canopy tree considerations may affect residential development.

4. You want to avoid redesign or delays later

One of the biggest reasons to seek arborist advice early is to avoid finding out too late that a tree affects the design.

Late tree issues can create problems such as:

• plans needing to be changed
• extra information being requested
• uncertainty around tree retention or removal
• confusion about protection requirements
• delays in preparing or progressing the application

The earlier tree constraints are understood, the easier they are to manage in the design and application process.



Which arborist report might apply?

The report or advice you need depends on the stage of the project and what the tree issue is.

This section is a simple routing guide only. Each report type has its own role.



Arboricultural Impact Assessment

An Arboricultural Impact Assessment may be relevant when the proposed development could affect trees.

This is commonly used to assess the relationship between the design and existing trees, including whether the proposal may impact tree retention, health or protection outcomes.

Tree Management Plan

A Tree Management Plan may be relevant where trees need to be managed during works.

This can help set out practical management requirements for retained trees before, during or after construction.

Tree Protection Plan

A Tree Protection Plan may be relevant where a project needs a clearer layout of protective measures on site.

This may include protection zones, fencing locations and practical controls that help guide how retained trees are protected during works.

Verbal Consultation

A Verbal Consultation may be suitable if you are still unsure what you need.

This can be useful before plans are finalised, when you want to understand whether a tree issue is likely to affect the project before ordering a formal report.

Why timing matters

Arborist input is often more useful before the development application is lodged, not after a problem has already been raised.

Early advice may help you:

• understand whether trees are likely to affect the design
• identify possible constraints before plans are finalised
• prepare the right information for the application
• reduce the risk of avoidable redesign
• choose the right report type from the start

This does not mean every project needs a full report at the first conversation.

Sometimes the first step is simply working out whether the trees are relevant enough to require formal assessment.



What to send before asking for advice

If you are unsure whether you need an arborist report, it helps to send the available project information early.

Useful information may include:

• the property address
• current site plans
• proposed development plans
• survey plans, if available
• photos of trees on or near the site
• any council request or planning advice already received
• the stage of the project
• your preferred timeframe

You do not need to have everything finalised before asking for advice. In many cases, early plans are enough to identify whether arborist input may be needed.



Common mistakes

1. Waiting until council asks for more information

Some applicants wait until a formal request is made before speaking with an arborist.

That can work in some situations, but it may also create delays if the report identifies design issues that could have been addressed earlier.



2. Assuming only trees on your property matter

Neighbouring trees, boundary trees and street trees may still be relevant if proposed works are close enough to affect them.

Do not assume a tree is irrelevant just because it is outside the exact building footprint.



3. Treating every arborist report as the same thing

Different report types have different jobs.

An impact assessment, management plan, protection plan and consultation are not interchangeable. Choosing the wrong pathway can create confusion and may not answer the question being asked.



4. Finalising the design before checking tree constraints

If significant trees are present, tree constraints can affect layout, excavation, access, levels and construction methods.

Checking this earlier can make the design process smoother.



FAQ

Do all DAs need an arborist report?

No. Not every development application needs an arborist report.

You may need one where trees could affect the proposal, where trees are proposed for removal or pruning, where retained trees are close to works, or where council requires more information about tree impacts.



Is an arborist report the same as a Tree Management Plan?

No. An arborist report is a broad term and may refer to different types of arborist documentation.

A Tree Management Plan is usually focused on how trees are managed through the works. Other report types may focus on development impacts, protection layout or early advice.

Can I get advice before I finalise my design?

Yes. This is often a good time to get advice.

Early arborist input can help identify whether trees may affect the design before the plans become harder or more expensive to change.



What if council has not formally asked for a report yet?

You can still request advice before council asks.

If trees are close to the proposed works or you are unsure whether they may affect approval, early arborist advice can help you decide whether a formal report is needed.



Quick checklist and next steps

Wrap-up

You should consider arborist input before or during DA preparation if:

• trees are close to the proposed building works
• trees may need to be retained, pruned or removed
• neighbouring or street trees are near the work area
• the design may affect roots, canopy or soil levels
• you are unsure what council may require
• you want to reduce the risk of redesign or delay
• you are not sure whether you need an AIA, TMP, TPP or consultation

The next step is to identify whether the trees are likely to affect the project, then choose the right reporting or advice pathway.

If the proposed development may affect trees, start with the Arboricultural Impact Assessment page. If you are still unsure which pathway applies, a consultation may be the better first step.



You may need an arborist report before a development application if trees could affect the design, approval pathway, retention outcome or site protection requirements.

The important point is not just whether a report is needed. It is choosing the right type of arborist input at the right time.

Early advice can help you understand the tree constraints before they become a planning or design problem.

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Send through your project details, plans or council request and TMC Reports can help identify the right next step.