The Perth Hills Discovery Centre provided the perfect backdrop for ArbWest’s Arbor Day 2026, a hands-on training event that brought together arborists, climbers, apprentices and industry supporters from across Western Australia for a day of learning, connection and inspiration. Sponsored by RelyOn, the event combined practical skills development with important discussions about the future of arboriculture, tree retention and habitat conservation. Pascal Oosterik From aerial r

The conversation around urban greening in Western Australia has moved beyond aspiration. The question now is: how do we deliver meaningful canopy outcomes for our communities? That was the focus of From Seed to Strategy, ArbWest's annual seminar, presented in partnership with Vermeer Equipment of WA & NT at Perth's iconic WACA Ground. Josh Byrne and Sarah Allchurch Few venues could have been more fitting. For more than a century, the WACA has been a place where Western Austra

In landmark news, the State Administrative Tribunal has upheld the Town of Bassendean's decision to protect a regulated tree on private property – a first for local government in WA and a major milestone for urban canopy protection. The decision sends a powerful message that mature trees matter and that thoughtful development and tree retention can go hand in hand. ArbWest President Dave Crispin welcomed the ruling."This is a significant moment for urban forestry in Western A

As Western Australia moves out of bushfire season and into the cooler, wetter months, the focus for many contractors shifts from fire mitigation to storm preparedness. The same vegetation that posed a fire risk over summer can soon become a hazard in high winds and heavy rain, with fallen limbs, blocked access tracks and unstable trees creating safety and operational challenges. For arborists, winter storms can mean long days responding to emergency call-outs, clearing access

Philip Price, RelyOn Arborists, climbers and those new to the industry will gather in the Perth Hills this March for a day dedicated to practical learning, industry connection and celebrating the importance of professional tree care. ArbWest Arbor Day 2026 will take place on Saturday 28 March at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre, bringing together arborists from across Western Australia for hands-on workshops, demonstrations and practical training designed to strengthen skills

In Western Australia, our trees work hard. From the scorching heat of Perth summers to wet winter storms, trees are essential assets in our urban and regional landscapes. They provide shade, reduce heat, support biodiversity and enhance livability — but their long-term health depends on what lies below ground. While canopy health is often the most visible indicator of a tree’s condition, the real story frequently begins underground. Why Roots Matter Root damage can cause tree

Why sustainability is changing the way arborists work. In Western Australia, summer has a way of making people notice trees. When the heat settles in and shade becomes valuable, residents suddenly become aware of which trees look healthy — and which appear messy, stressed or inconvenient. The instinct is often immediate: prune it, tidy it, fix it. But according to professional arborists, that instinct can be exactly the problem. Pruning, they say, is not cosmetic maintenance.

ArbWest strongly supports the intent and direction of the Urban Greening Strategy for Whadjuk (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) and welcomes its clear acknowledgement that trees and green infrastructure are essential community assets rather than optional amenities . As the peak professional arboricultural association in Western Australia, ArbWest’s long-standing advocacy position is that retention of existing tree canopy must be the starting point for any credible urban greenin

As Western Australia is experiencing another long, hot summer, tree care shifts from a seasonal consideration to a critical priority. Our soils heat quickly, moisture evaporates almost as fast as it’s applied, and even hardy native species can struggle under prolonged heat stress. Yet one of the most effective tools for supporting urban trees through summer remains surprisingly simple: mulch. Often underestimated, mulch plays a powerful role beneath the surface. It locks in p

Utility pruning sits at the intersection of arboriculture and electrical safety — a place where biology meets infrastructure, and where skilled professionals keep communities safe from outages, fires, and electrocution risks. The work is essential, yet often misunderstood. Those dramatic gaps in the canopy or the removal of entire limbs aren’t mistakes: they’re deliberate, research-backed cuts designed to guide future growth away from powerlines and reduce the need for severe

Western Australia’s arboriculture sector is facing an unexpected training bottleneck, with South Metropolitan TAFE announcing the suspension of new Arboriculture enrolments for 2026. The decision follows growing challenges in securing a suitable and sustainable site for mandatory tree-felling training—a core component of the Certificate III in Arboriculture. Under normal circumstances, apprentices completing the qualification must undertake the unit FWPFGM3212 – Fall Trees Ma

The rain didn’t dampen spirits at the 2025 WA State Tree Climbing Championships, held in October at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre. Despite bouts of drizzle, 25 climbers took to the trees in an unforgettable weekend of skill, speed, and community spirit. Climbing to New Heights The preliminary events saw competitors tackle five demanding disciplines — Aerial Rescue, Work Climb, Ascent, Belayed Speed Climb, and Throwline — testing every aspect of technical ability and physic

For many homeowners across Western Australia, the thought of removing a tree themselves might seem like a way to save money. But experts warn that the hidden costs of DIY tree work can be far higher — and far more dangerous — than most people realise. “Tree work isn’t a DIY job,” says Joe Carriera , General Manager at Beaver Tree Services and member of ArbWest committee. “Every year, we hear heartbreaking stories of people who are seriously injured — or even killed — trying

Christchurch, New Zealand was the venue for my first International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) meeting — and it definitely lived up to the hype! The event kicked off with the World Tree Climbing Championships , where our very own committee member Jolyon “Joly” Elliot was selected as a technical judge . The competition ran over two days in the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens — an amazing venue to start the week - see photo below. Left to right - Dave Crispin, Joe

This is the event where WA’s best arborists come together to compete, connect, and celebrate the skills and people that keep our industry...

Nick Hayes from the ArbWest Committee recently caught up with Tim Stuart from Coastline Mowers to present him with a certificate of appreciation from ArbWest, recognising his significant contribution to the association and the 2025 WA State Tree Climbing Championships. The WA State Tree Climbing Championships were held on the 3rd and 4th of October at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre, with Coastline Mowers proudly supporting the Masters Event — the grand finale of the competi

With the WA Tree Climbing Championships just around the corner on October 3rd and 4th, now is the perfect time for climbing arborists and...

Get $150 back for planting a native tree in your own backyard! As you may know the WA Government has recently launched a residential...

After a meeting of the National Management Group (NMG) it was decided to transition from eradication to management of PSHB - polyphagous...

Understanding the health benefits of trees The benefits of trees have been studied extensively by scientists for years. By now most of us...