Who Needs an Arborist Report?
From architects to attorneys, our reports serve a wide range of professional and private clients.
Tree impact assessments for design planning, building envelope decisions and landscaping compliance.
Root mapping, infrastructure impact, construction protection plans and post-construction monitoring.
Development tree reports, municipal application support, heritage tree assessments and phased project reporting.
Permit applications for tree removal or pruning of protected/significant trees on public and private land.
Estate tree risk audits, management plans, PSHB assessments and routine condition reports.
Tree risk assessments, insurance reports and liability management for commercial property portfolios.
Expert witness reports, causation analysis, negligence assessments and court-ready arborist opinions.
Storm damage assessments, failure analysis, pre-loss condition reports and insurance tree surveys.
Our Arborist Report & Assessment Services
We produce a comprehensive range of arborist reports to meet every need.
Development Tree Report
For: Architects, Engineers, Developers
Required for building plan submissions and development applications. Covers tree inventory, impact assessment, root zone analysis, and recommendations for tree retention, protection or removal.
Municipal Tree Report
For: Property Owners, Municipalities
Formal application support for municipal tree removal permits or protected species applications. Includes condition assessment, risk evaluation, and motivations prepared to municipal requirements.
Tree Risk Assessment
For: Property Owners, Estates, Insurers
TRAQ-aligned risk assessment evaluating structural failure probability, consequences of failure, and risk rating for each assessed tree. Essential for liability management and insurance purposes.
Tree Inventory & Mapping
For: Estates, Municipalities, Large Properties
Comprehensive tree-by-tree inventory with species identification, condition ratings, size measurements, coordinates, and GIS mapping. Foundation for long-term tree management programmes.
Litigation Arborist Report
For: Attorneys, Property Owners
Expert arborist opinion prepared to court standard. Covers tree condition assessment, causation of damage or injury, professional negligence, property disputes and tree removal disputes.
Expert Witness
For: Attorneys, Courts
RVZ arborists can act as expert witnesses in civil litigation, insurance disputes and property damage claims involving trees. Reports are prepared in accordance with South African court requirements.
Insurance Tree Report
For: Insurers, Property Owners
Post-storm or post-failure assessments establishing tree condition prior to an event, cause of failure, and extent of damage. Prepared to insurance industry standards.
Pre-Purchase Tree Survey
For: Purchasers, Conveyancers
Due diligence tree assessment prior to property purchase. Identifies high-risk trees, PSHB infestations, root damage potential and recommended remedial works.
How We Deliver Your Report
Initial Consultation
We discuss your needs, the purpose of the report, site details and any municipal or legal requirements.
Site Inspection
Our professional arborist visits the property to assess all relevant trees, record data and take measurements.
Report Preparation
A comprehensive, standards-compliant report is prepared with findings, recommendations and supporting evidence.
Delivery & Support
Your report is delivered in the required format. We provide support for municipal submissions and any follow-up queries.
Need a Report for a Development Application?
We understand municipal deadlines. Contact us today to discuss your arborist report requirements and get a turnaround time that works for your project.
Arborist Report FAQs
An arborist report is a formal assessment of trees prepared by a professional arborist. You typically need one for building development applications near trees, municipal tree removal permits, heritage tree applications, property disputes involving trees, insurance claims after storm damage, and litigation involving tree-related injuries or damage.
Yes. RVZ arborist reports are prepared in accordance with South African and international arboricultural standards and are accepted by the City of Cape Town, Stellenbosch Municipality, Drakenstein Municipality and all other major South African municipalities and planning authorities.
A standard tree risk assessment or development report typically takes 5–10 business days from site inspection to delivery. Urgent reports can often be expedited. Complex tree inventories, litigation reports or large estate surveys may take longer. Contact RVZ to discuss your specific timeline and requirements.
Yes. RVZ provides expert witness arborist reports prepared to the required standard for South African courts. These include formal opinions on tree liability, tree condition at a specified date, causation of damage, and professional negligence matters. Our arborists can also appear as expert witnesses.
A tree protection plan (TPP) is a document specifying measures to protect trees from construction damage. Most municipalities require a professional TPP before issuing construction approvals where trees are present within or adjacent to the building envelope. RVZ prepares compliant tree protection plans for all major Western Cape municipalities.
A consulting arborist provides professional advice, assessments and reports — similar to a structural engineer for trees. A contracting arborist performs the physical tree work (pruning, removal, planting). RVZ is unique in that we provide both consulting and contracting services, ensuring a seamless process from report to implementation.