What Belongs in a Written Tree Report

We are frequently asked for a written report — for a permit application, an insurance matter, a property sale, or an HOA board. A useful one has specific contents, and it is worth knowing what to expect.

What it should contain

Identification. Species, approximate age where relevant, trunk diameter measured at standard height, height and crown spread. Location described precisely and shown on a sketch or photograph.

Observed condition. What was actually seen, described factually: crown density and dieback, deadwood, foliage condition, trunk defects, unions, root flare and root plate condition, and any fungal fruiting bodies.

Defects identified, each described specifically rather than generally. "Codominant union at 8 feet with included bark" is useful. "Poor structure" is not.

Targets. What is beneath and around the tree — structures, vehicles, walkways, play areas, occupancy patterns.

Risk rating with the reasoning behind it, following a recognised methodology rather than an unexplained judgement.

Recommendations with priorities and timeframes, and the reasoning for each.

Limitations. What was not done — this is important. A visual assessment from the ground is not a decay-detection survey, and the report should say so.

Photographs, dated, showing the defects described.

Who did it, their qualifications, and the date.

What it should not contain

Vague language that commits to nothing. A recommendation to remove without a stated reason. Or a report written by whoever is quoting for the removal, with no separation between the assessment and the sale.

When you need one

• Permit applications. Many Volusia and Brevard jurisdictions require an arborist's report to remove a protected tree.
• Insurance claims, where establishing pre-existing condition matters.
• Property transactions, where a buyer or seller wants the condition of significant trees documented.
• HOA and commercial, as part of documenting duty of care.
• Disputes, where an independent written record is worth having.

We write assessment reports for all of these across Volusia and north Brevard.