PREPARING THE QUESTIONS BEHIND A TREE RETENTION DECISION

Explain the competing project needs and the trees under consideration before asking for retention advice. The brief should let the consultant assess the relevant information, rather than starting with a conclusion the report is expected to justify.

Project/site:
Prepared by/date:
Version:

Decision context
Describe the property or project choice.
Notes:

Tree information
Identify existing records and unresolved observations.
Notes:

Design options
List options the team is considering.
Notes:

Constraints
Describe relevant access, space or project requirements.
Notes:

Decision audience
Identify who will read and act on the advice.
Notes:

CHECKS
[ ] Provide the current proposal rather than an obsolete layout.
[ ] Ask what additional evidence is needed to compare options.
[ ] Keep professional findings distinct from the client’s preferred outcome.

Outstanding questions:
Source references:
Review and next action:

Scope: The brief does not determine retention suitability or planning permissions; those depend on the commissioned assessment and applicable process.

This is a general worksheet, not an automated application feature.
https://canopyapp.app/resources/tree-retention-decision-briefs