Good arboricultural advice shouldn’t be hard to find. Whether you’re a developer navigating a DA, a builder managing trees on an active construction site, or a property owner trying to understand what’s growing in your backyard — the Shelterwood blog is written for you.
Covering topics across development and construction, private property tree management, and native wildlife habitat, every post is written by a practicing AQF5 qualified, VALID Accredited arborist with over a decade of field experience. Trees are complex, and the decisions surrounding them deserve expert, considered advice — and that’s exactly what you’ll find here.
Australia is home to more hollow-dependent wildlife than almost anywhere else on earth. From tiny microbats to large owls, from sugar gliders to brushtail possums, an extraordinary diversity of native species depends on tree hollows for shelter, nesting, and breeding. But across the country — and particularly in urban and
Nest boxes have been used in wildlife conservation and habitat restoration for decades — and for good reason. They’re affordable, widely available, and easy to install. But if you’ve ever put up a standard plywood nest box and wondered why nothing moved in, the answer may lie in what carved
If you’re a homeowner in Victoria planning a renovation, extension, or new build and there are significant trees on your property, there’s a planning provision that may directly affect your project. Clause 52.37 — Canopy Trees in the Victorian Planning Provisions is something every private landholder with established trees should
A Tree Health and Condition Report is one of the most versatile arboricultural documents available to property owners, councils, and land managers. It’s not tied to a development application or a specific risk event — it’s simply a thorough, professional assessment of the health, structure, and long-term viability of one
Most people can tell when a tree looks unwell — a sparse canopy, dead branches, or a lean that wasn’t there last year are all visible signs that something isn’t right. But tree risk is more complex than appearances alone, and some of the most dangerous trees show few outward
Buying a property with established trees can be one of the most appealing aspects of a purchase — maturity, shade, privacy, and character that simply can’t be replicated overnight. But established trees also come with risks, obligations, and potential costs that aren’t always visible to the untrained eye. A pre-purchase
If trees are present on or adjacent to your development site, there’s a good chance your council will require an Arboricultural Impact Assessment as part of your planning application. But not every project triggers the requirement — and understanding when you need one can save you time, money, and unnecessary
If you’ve received a planning permit with arboricultural conditions, chances are you’ve come across the terms Tree Protection Specification and Tree Protection Plan. They’re often mentioned together — and sometimes confused for the same thing. Here’s what each one is, how they differ, and why you need both. What is
Demolition is the phase of a development project that most people focus on for what gets removed — but it’s also the phase most likely to cause irreversible damage to the trees you’re trying to keep. Understanding what’s at stake during demolition is the first step toward protecting your project,
It’s a question that comes up often — particularly from builders and developers who are engaging a Project Arborist for the first time. The short answer is: a lot more than most people expect. More than a compliance checkbox A Project Arborist is sometimes seen as a requirement to satisfy
If you’re planning a development or renovation project that involves trees, a Preliminary Tree Assessment is likely one of the first documents your council or certifier will ask for. But what exactly is a PTA, and when do you actually need one? What is a Preliminary Tree Assessment? A Preliminary
