Root Mapping Canberra
Root Mapping: See What's Under the Ground Before You Dig
Non-invasive root detection for developers, engineers, councils and property owners. We locate significant roots beneath soil, asphalt, concrete and paved areas, without excavation or damage to the tree.
Request a Root Mapping Assessment
Tell us about your site and the project. We'll get back to you within one business day to discuss scope and arrange the assessment.
Request an Assessment
Fill in your details below and we'll be in touch shortly.
Root Mapping Canberra
Specialist Root Mapping for Canberra Sites
Most site investigations only show what's visible above the ground. As a result, when excavation or construction is planned near trees, the roots often only reveal themselves when a bucket hits them. Furthermore, that's usually the point at which the project delays, disputes, or emergency arborist call-outs begin.
Canopy offers specialist root mapping across Canberra, the ACT and surrounding NSW. In particular, our technology uses specialist sonic detection : the same stress-wave principle that powers sonic tomography for internal tree assessment, adapted to detect roots below ground. As a result, we can help locate the probable position of larger woody roots beneath soil, asphalt, concrete, roads and paved areas, and the output is a tomogram-style overlay showing where the roots are most likely to be.
This is not ground penetrating radar. Instead, our root mapping is tree-focused. Therefore, where site conditions allow, the assessment can also help identify which tree the detected roots most likely belong to. That's particularly useful on sites with multiple trees where the source of a problem needs to be established.
Which Tree Is Causing the Issue?
Identifying Which Roots Belong to Which Tree
Where multiple trees share a site, root damage or interference is often blamed on the wrong one. As a result, trees are removed unnecessarily, and the real culprit keeps causing problems. Our root mapping technology can help separate the two.
Where site conditions allow, we can assist in determining which tree the detected root pathways most likely belong to. Therefore, if you're dealing with lifted paving, cracked slabs, blocked drains, or root damage to a boundary structure, the assessment can point toward the tree actually responsible.
Furthermore, this evidence is especially useful in insurance investigations, neighbour disputes over boundary trees, and council decisions about which tree in a group to retain or remove.
What Root Mapping Covers
What Our Root Mapping Can Do
Root mapping provides evidence that visual inspection alone can't deliver. For example, it can help with:
Mapping Roots Below Ground
Locate the probable position of larger woody roots beneath soil, asphalt, concrete, roads and paved areas without excavation.
Identifying the Source Tree
On sites with multiple trees, help identify which tree the detected roots are most likely associated with.
Excavation & Trenching Planning
Locate significant roots before excavation, footings, service trenching, or civil works so you can plan around them.
Tree Retention Decisions
Support decisions to retain or remove trees with root evidence, not guesswork.
Site Plan Overlays
Root mapping results overlaid onto your site plans, aerial images, Google Maps images, or construction drawings.
Reports for Council & Planning
Professional reports suitable for council, development applications, planning documentation and construction handover.
Site Plan Overlays
Root Data on Your Site Plans, Not Raw Numbers
Raw tomogram data on its own isn't much use to a project team. Therefore, we overlay our root mapping results onto the plans and images your project is already working from. For example, site plans, aerial imagery, Google Maps images, construction drawings, or any other project image you supply.
As a result, councils, developers, builders, engineers and design teams can see the root information in the context that matters to them. Furthermore, this makes the assessment far more useful than a standalone report because the findings drop straight into your existing documentation.
In particular, this format is designed to reduce project delays caused by unexpected tree-related issues. Because the roots are visible on the plan, they can be designed around from day one instead of discovered mid-excavation.
What We Can Assess Through
Assessments Through Hard & Soft Surfaces
Because our root mapping is non-invasive, we can assess sites without breaking the surface. In particular, we can work through concrete, asphalt, gravel, paved surfaces, turf, and landscaped areas. As a result, there's no need to lift paving, dig test pits, or damage finished surfaces to gather the evidence you need.
This is especially useful on sites where excavation would be disruptive or expensive. For example, established car parks, roads and pavements, driveways, courtyards, and sites with existing landscaping. Furthermore, on sites where the trees themselves are protected or significant, non-invasive assessment is often the only permitted approach.
Site conditions vary, so we'll discuss what's possible on your specific site during the initial call. Occasionally, ground conditions may limit what can be detected, and we'll be upfront about that before the assessment starts.
Who This Is For
Who Uses Our Root Mapping Service
Root mapping is a specialist arboricultural service that isn't commonly available. In particular, it's most valuable for teams making significant decisions where getting it wrong is expensive.
Councils & Asset Managers
Root data for tree protection zone planning, road works, footpath renewal and long-term asset management.
Developers & Town Planners
Evidence for development applications, especially where protected or significant trees exist on site.
Builders & Civil Contractors
Root locations mapped before excavation, trenching, footings or service installation begins.
Engineers & Architects
Design-stage root evidence that informs foundation, drainage and hardscape decisions.
Schools, Universities & Hospitals
Large-property asset owners with significant trees on high-use sites where risk management matters.
Insurance, Legal & Risk
Evidence-based root data for insurance investigations, legal disputes, and boundary tree matters.
Reports & Deliverables
What You Receive at the End
Every root mapping assessment ends with a written report suitable for council, planning, engineering and construction documentation. In particular, the report presents the tomogram-style overlays and findings in a way a non-arborist can actually use.
Where relevant, we include root mapping overlays on your site plans, aerial imagery, Google Maps images, or construction drawings. Furthermore, the report includes a summary of methodology, site conditions, what was detected, and practical recommendations tailored to your project.
For example, examples of previous root mapping overlays and site plan outputs can be provided on request, so you can see how the results will be presented before you commit.
How It Works
Our Root Mapping Process
Root mapping is a specialist service, so the process runs a little differently to standard tree work. Here's how a typical job runs from first call through to delivered report.
Initial Discussion
Call or send us a message with your site, project scope, and what you're trying to establish.
Scope & Quote
We confirm scope, timing and the surfaces we'll be assessing through, then provide a written quote.
On-Site Assessment
We attend site, run the non-invasive detection, and capture the data across the relevant areas.
Report & Overlay
You receive a written report with root mapping overlays on your site plans or project drawings.
Why Canopy
Specialist Root Mapping, Not a Guess
Root mapping is not a service most tree companies offer. Furthermore, doing it well requires the right equipment, arboricultural expertise, and the ability to present findings in a way non-arborists can act on. Canopy brings all three.
Practical Industry Experience
Assessments delivered by a qualified team with the arboricultural expertise to interpret the data, not just capture it.
Sonic Detection Technology
The same stress-wave principle used in sonic tomography, adapted for non-invasive root detection. Purpose-built for trees, not ground penetrating radar.
Council-Ready Deliverables
Overlays on site plans and reports formatted for council, planning and construction documentation.
Where We Work
Root Mapping Across Canberra, the ACT & Surrounds
We provide root mapping across the ACT, surrounding NSW regions, and further afield for larger commercial projects. Not sure if we cover your site? Give us a call.
Get in Touch
Discuss Your Root Mapping Project
Tell us about your site and project. We'll get back to you within one business day to discuss scope and next steps.
Open Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm
Request an Assessment
Fill in your details and we'll get back to you within 1 business day.
Storm Damage or Fallen Tree?
We're available 24/7 for emergency tree response across the ACT.