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...

Beneath the Canopy was a sold-out success at Perth’s iconic cricket ground the WACA last week. Expert speaker Julie Fielder explained how...

Forget dry science—this underground wonder is rewriting what we think we know about connection. Mycelium, the hidden network beneath our...

One of ArbWest’s members, Lindsay Lester, Top Notch Tree Surgeons, shares his insights. There’s a clear distinction between professional,...

Storm season is upon us! Please remember who to call and what to do if you see a fallen tree or a tree branch. As the winds pick up and...

ArbWest Vice President Dave Crispin has won the prestigious Arboriculture Advocacy Award that was presented at the Gala Dinner of the...

Setting clear time frames for tree work is crucial, whether you're securing a job, specifying tasks without fixed deadlines, or relaxing...

What are your employer obligations with regard to hiring, and what could happen if you don’t comply? Is there a specific obligation to...