TREE REMOVAL GUIDANCE
What is a PTAS?
A Preliminary Tree Assessment Summary is a due-diligence report prepared by an AQF5 Consulting Arborist that identifies the tree protections applying to a site, so you can understand tree-related constraints and feasibility ahead of a property transaction or development.
Unlike a general property inspection, a PTAS is arborist-led and cross-references your council's Local Environmental Plan, Development Control Plan, and the NSW Planning Portal (zoning, heritage, biodiversity, bushfire, and other overlays) against every tree relevant to the site.
Who it's for?
● Property buyers who want to know what they're taking on before they commit
● Vendors who want to get ahead of tree-related questions before they come up in negotiations
● Builders and developers assessing feasibility before progressing a site
● Anyone who has been told "there might be a tree issue" and wants a straight answer
● Site overview — location, council, zoning, and relevant NSW Planning Portal results (heritage, biodiversity, bushfire-prone land, acid sulfate soils, and more)
● Subject tree map — every relevant tree on the site, distinguishing Subject Trees (assessed in detail) from Excluded Trees
● Individual tree profiles, each including:
● Common and scientific name
● Tree significance rating (Low / Medium / High) under the STARS system, with a retention or removal priority
● Whether the tree requires council approval for removal
● Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) and Structural Root Zone (SRZ) measurements
● Encroachment zone thresholds (Minor / Moderate / Major), relevant if development is planned
● Arborist notes — exemptions, absence of data, or site-specific observations
● Definitions and methodology appendix, so the report is self-explanatory to a non-arborist reader
1. Desktop review
An initial review of council rules and NSW Planning Portal overlays for the property.
2. Ground-based visual assessment
An AQF5 arborist visits the site and assesses each relevant tree.
3. Report delivered
A full summary is prepared and emailed, with a tree-by-tree breakdown and site map.
$400 base call-out fee, plus $75 per tree assessed — regardless of removal status.
● Unlike a TRS, where the per-tree fee only applies to trees that qualify for removal, a PTAS assesses every relevant Subject Tree on the site, so the $75 fee applies across the board. This reflects the fuller scope of the report — protection zones, encroachment thresholds, and significance ratings for each tree, not just a removal/no-removal call.
A precise quote isn't possible before the visual assessment, since the fee depends on how many Subject Trees are on-site.
A PTAS is a good fit if a property has:
● At least one tree
● No existing DA approval
● Development potential
● Tree-related buyer or vendor concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a PTAS different from a TRS?
A TRS answers one specific question — which trees can be removed without council approval. A PTAS is broader: it covers tree protections, zoning overlays, and site feasibility, giving buyers and vendors the full picture ahead of a transaction. Many clients start with a PTAS and use it to decide whether a TRS or a formal application is the next step. [See TRS →]
Does a PTAS replace my own due diligence?
No. A PTAS is compiled accurately based on a ground-based visual assessment and the information available at the time, but it doesn't replace a buyer's own due diligence or legal advice.
Will a PTAS tell me if I can remove a tree?
Yes — each Subject Tree is assessed for whether it requires council approval for removal, with the relevant council rule cited.
What if the property doesn't have a Development Application yet?
A PTAS is designed for exactly this stage — before a DA exists, when you're still assessing whether a site is worth pursuing or what constraints to plan around.
How long does a PTAS take?
Timeframes depend on the number of trees on-site; Arbor Metro will confirm this when you book.
Need a PTAS for your property?
We provide expert tree reporting services to clients across all Local Government Areas, Sydney-wide and beyond - Message, call or email us today!