Hollow Bearing Trees : Why a Habitat Assessment is More Than Just a Tree Count

A common question we get from clients is: "I'm only removing a few trees. How complex can the assessment be?"

The answer, in ecology and ecological assessment in particular, is "very." When it comes to vegetation clearing approval in NSW, regulators and consent authorities are not just concerned with the number of trees, but with their function - essentially their 'ecological value'. An 80-year-old eucalypt (gum tree) is not a sapling; it's a piece of critical infrastructure for local wildlife and its proposed removal would need serious consideration with regard to the impact avoidance, minimisation and mitigation hierarchy.

A professional habitat suitability assessment goes beyond a simple count and identifies the true ecological value of your site.

H2: Ecological Requirements Before Clearing Trees: The Hollow Bearing Tree Hunt

The single most important feature we look for in a habitat assessment is Hollow-Bearing Trees (HBTs).

Hollows are the "apartment buildings" of the bush, providing essential shelter and breeding sites for countless native animals including birds, possums, gliders, and bats.

• Case in Point: In a recent Flora and Fauna Assessment, our ecological survey involved a detailed inspection of all trees within the development footprint.

• The Finding: We confirmed that "No clear hollow bearing trees" were proposed for removal. This one finding a critical factor when determining the significance, or otherwise of a proposed impact.

• The Nuance: Conversely, our team identified a large dead limb on a tree marked for retention as "possible fauna habitat". We ensured this tree was protected by clearly identifying it on both site maps an in situ as well as recommending "Temporary Exclusion Zones," preserving the site's most valuable habitat feature.

This is the difference an expert assessment makes: we identify what to remove and what to protect and importantly, demonstrate this process to the consent authority.

H2: Food vs. Shelter: Assessing Habitat for Threatened Species

Habitat quality isn't just shelter; it's also food. A key part of a habitat suitability assessment is identifying foraging resources.

The Palm Beach site, for example, contained trees that are known food sources for threatened species like the Koala and Grey-headed Flying-fox. A portion of the identified trees were proposed for removal.

Our assessment had to determine if this impact was significant. We concluded:

1. No breeding habitat (e.g., Flying-fox camps) was present.

2. No HBTs or critical shelter was being removed.

The impact was limited to a minor loss of foraging resources, which was not deemed "significant", such that it would lead to the extinction of the local population of the threatened species identified. This is the expert analysis an Ecologist provides, and it is essential for a compliant DA.

H2: Get the Real Story of Your Site

Don't risk DA delays by submitting an incomplete or low quality assessment. Our Ecological Survey NSW team provides comprehensive habitat assessments that give councils and proponents alike, the confidence to make clear decisions knowing they have all the required information at hand.

Need to understand the real ecological requirements and or potential constraints for your site? Contact Ecological Solutions today.