Arborist Reports

KevinS

KevinS

Branched out member
Location
ontario
Locally bylaws have been revised, updated,etc. Due to this we are seeing a higher demand for arborists reports.
My question is does anyone follow a template or basic layout when they make there reports? I'm typically the cutter so some of this paper work stuff is new to me.

Thanks for the help.
 
That book is a good start. But for every type of report there is a different template. What kind of report are you asking about?

It's ok to be a cutter, but reports are not made from a cookie-cutter. ararararar
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Some of the best report writers (in our area) are those who have had an education in professional report writing. I have observed that those who have acquired a degree, masters or phd write the best.

The reasoning is because they obtain formal training in the method of writing and peer review, assesment and critique. In summary a level of mentorship before they enter the market in which they begin to write for pay.

I had no mentorship initially, and look to my early reports with shame.

The agony of learning as i have; is that I now have a reputation to overcome regarding the quality of what was written in the past.

We have two consultants on our team - and after years of agony, training, begging for peer review and critique - deliver reports that recieve accolades from those who review them from a regulatory perspective.

I would suggest spending time writing some mock reports before you start releasing them for compensation - it would save time and reputation.

As Guy stated different "templates" are required depending on the scope of the project. We have about 9 different templates - but dont force a project to fit a template, it could reduce the credibility of your assessment.

Additionally - write each report with the mindset that you may have to sit on The Bench and defend your assessment under litigation.
 
Great thanks guys, my phd is a post hole digger, not likely to help. The reports I am thinking of are for property owners and bylaw applications for reasons to remove, prune, etc.

Usually the ones I deal with the most are for construction sites, hazard trees, dead/ dying, and structure damage. These are my main areas of concern the rest fall to our phc guy or the boss.

But I will look into that book and the mock reports aren't a bad idea either thanks a bunch.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The reports I am thinking of are for property owners and bylaw applications for reasons to remove, prune, etc.

Usually the ones I deal with the most are for construction sites, hazard trees, dead/ dying, and structure damage. These are my main areas of concern ...

[/ QUOTE ]

For those you might want to order up some TRAQ forms and practice filling them out. The key parts are Response Growth on the first page, and Mitigation Options/Residual Risk on the 2nd. Get to know the risk BMP for the how-to. Newbies tend to go on witch hunts for defects. give trees (and tree care) a chance!

http://www.isa-arbor.com/education/resources/BasicTreeRiskAssessmentForm_FirstEdition.pdf

http://www.isa-arbor.com/store/product.aspx?ProductID=324
 
To further what Mangoes has stated, take a technical communications course to learn what is expected by those you'll be writing for. Your readers have certain expectations as to what they will find in the report and how it will be structured.

For business and technical reports there is a simple format to follow. "Tell 'em what your going to tell 'em. Tell 'em. Tell 'em what you told 'em." No matter what the length of the report is that is how it unfolds. In other words, Introduction, Body and Summary.

Contact the department you'll be submitting reports to and ask what they are seeking and what formats are acceptable to them.

What part of Ontario are you in?
 
Thanks guys that's a huge help just what I needed.

Treehumper I'm in the Kitchener, waterloo, cambridge, guelph area
 
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