AQF Level 5 arborists. Reports councils accept, work done properly.
Arborist Sydney — AQF Level 5 consulting arborists for reports, removals and tree care
Consulting and practising arborists based in Mortdale: council reports, health and risk assessments, Project Arborist roles, and the removals and pruning that follow. $20M public liability, fixed prices, honest advice first.
★ 5.0 from 64 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
The difference between an arborist and a bloke with a chainsaw.
An AQF Level 5 arborist is qualified to assess a tree, write the report a council or a court will accept, and decide how it should be pruned, protected or removed. True Roots is owned and run by one. That is why our reports get approved, our pruning does not need redoing and our removals do not end in a fine.
Anyone can call themselves a tree lopper. “Arborist” should mean something specific: a Certificate III (AQF Level 3) for the climbers and crew doing the practical work, and a Diploma of Arboriculture (AQF Level 5) for the person assessing the tree, writing the report and signing off as Project Arborist on a development consent. Sydney councils will not accept a report from anyone less than Level 5, and consents name the qualification outright.
James, who owns True Roots, holds the Diploma of Arboriculture (AHC50524) through TAFE NSW, is a registered consulting and practising member of Arboriculture Australia and a member of the International Society of Arboriculture, and has close to 15 years on the tools. He looks at most jobs himself. The crew work to AS 4373 for pruning and AS 4970 for tree protection, and the same company that writes the report does the work — so the recommendation in the report is one we are prepared to carry out.
What a Level 5 arborist does for you.
Arborist reports for council
Tree removal and pruning applications, DA and CDC submissions, replacement planting schedules. Written to the council’s own template so they are not sent back. $1,500–$2,000. See arborist reports.
Tree health and risk assessment
Is the tree safe to keep? Visual tree assessment, decay and defect inspection, risk rating and a plain-English recommendation. See tree health assessment.
Project Arborist and AS 4970
Tree protection plans, root mapping, protection-zone inspections and certification letters through a build. Root-mapping assessments are quoted as two site days plus the report. See tree protection zones.
Removals done by the arborist
Sectional dismantles, cranes and rigging over houses and pools, planned by the person who assessed the tree. See tree removal.
Pruning to the standard
Crown reductions, thinning, deadwood and clearance cuts to AS 4373 — specified so councils approve them and the tree recovers. See tree pruning.
Roots, neighbours and disputes
Root investigations for cracked slabs and pipes, root barriers, and reports for neighbour disputes and insurance claims. See managing tree roots.
Assessed by the arborist, done by the crew.
Photos from our own jobs. No stock images.
From a phone call to a council-ready answer.
1. Send photos
The tree, the trunk, what it is near and your suburb. We tell you the same day whether you need a report, a permit, or just a crew.
2. Site assessment
A Level 5 arborist inspects the tree, the site and the council controls that apply. You get straight advice on what will be approved.
3. Report or quote
A report written to the council’s template within days, or one fixed price for the work with the days stated.
4. Lodged and done
We lodge the application, do the work when it is approved, plant the replacement if the consent asks for one, and hand you the completion documents.
Honest advice is the review we get most.
Verbatim from our public Google profile, first names only. Read all 64 reviews on Google.
“From the moment Jimmy arrived to quote the job, it was clear he’s passionate about trees and takes pride in his work. He gave honest advice about what needed to be done — not just what would make the job bigger. The team was punctual and professional.”
“True Roots removed a large gum tree from my property. The arborists were professional, efficient and highly skilled. They handled the job safely, carefully navigating around surrounding structures, with minimal disruption.”
“Jimmy and the two men working with him were professional, hard working and efficient with their time. They removed a large bougainvillea adjacent to the pool … I was very impressed with how well they cleaned the pool and pathways after they had finished. The cost was also very competitive.”
Asked most often.
What is the difference between AQF Level 3 and Level 5?
Level 3 (Certificate III) is the practical qualification for climbing and tree work. Level 5 (Diploma of Arboriculture) is the consulting qualification for assessing trees and writing reports. Councils require Level 5 for reports; development consents name it for the Project Arborist. True Roots has both on staff, and the owner holds Level 5.
How much does an arborist report cost in Sydney?
Our reports are $1,500–$2,000 depending on the number of trees and the council’s requirements. AS 4970 assessments with root mapping are quoted as two site days plus the report. We tell you before you commit whether a report is likely to get the outcome you want.
Will you write a report saying the tree should go if it should stay?
No. The report says what the tree needs. If that is a reduction rather than a removal, that is what we recommend — and it is why councils accept our reports.
Can the same company write the report and do the work?
Yes, and it usually works better: the recommendation is written by someone who will have to carry it out, and the crew arrives knowing exactly what was approved.
Qualified, insured and accountable
- AQF Level 5 arboristDiploma of Arboriculture (TAFE NSW). Reports accepted by Sydney councils.
- ISO 9001 certifiedQuality management system, audited. SWMS and risk assessments with every quote.
- $20M public liabilityPlus icare workers compensation. Certificates of currency sent on request.
- Australian StandardsPruning to AS 4373, tree protection on building sites to AS 4970.
- Indigenous-ownedTender-ready for councils, strata and builders: certificates of currency and site documentation supplied with every quote.
- 5.0 on Google64 reviews, every one from a real job. Read them.
Need an arborist, not a lopper?
Send a photo of the tree and your suburb. A Level 5 arborist tells you what it needs and what it will cost.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you need done and we will call you back to arrange a look. Every job is assessed individually - no two trees are the same.
Urgent or unsafe tree? Call 0422 023 242 - we answer 24 hours.