Survey-grade tree models that reduce design risk and improve planning outcomes

Trusted by architects, developers and planners for survey-grade tree modelling and spatial data.
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Trees got you stumped? We’ve got a solution for that.

Significant trees can shape a project before a single line is drawn.

But how can you give stakeholders confidence that a proposal truly responds to them?

How do you capture the complex geometry of a feature tree so the design, pruning strategy and construction approach can be appropriately specified?

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We provide tree scanning and 3D modelling services that support:

Accurate canopy and trunk data
Survey grade spatial accuracy, backed by Registered Surveyors
Compatible with BIM and CAD workflows
Faster design and planning decisions

Our Clients

CMS Surveyors provides certainty to government bodies, architects, builders, developers and engineers, as well as solicitors, real estate agents and individual property owners.

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Tree scanning and 3D modelling is ideal for:

DA applications
Architect design development
Building near significant trees
Heritage sites
Schools and campuses
Infrastructure projects
Public domain upgrades

Point cloud of a significant neighbourhood tree in Bronte

Tree Data Deliverables

Depending on scope, CMS Surveyors can provide you with a range of deliverables to suit your workflows. Common deliverables include:

  • Registered 3D point cloud datasets
  • Online point cloud viewer access
  • Point cloud exports in suitable formats
  • 3D mesh models of selected trees or natural features
  • CAD, BIM or 3D model files
  • Shadow diagrams and analytical outputs
  • Visual impact or view study support imagery
  • Images generated directly from the point cloud or 3D model
  • Coordinated scene files for design or visualisation use
  • Methodology notes or survey certification where required

Why choose CMS Surveyors?

Survey-grade accuracy

Unlike standalone scanning providers, our models are captured within a coordinated survey framework, ensuring reliable spatial accuracy for planning, design and construction.

Practical design outcomes

We focus on producing deliverables that architects, planners, arborists and developers can actually use—not just impressive visualisations.

Integrated expertise

Our team combines surveying, reality capture and spatial data expertise to provide a complete understanding of both the site and its vegetation constraints.

Scalable solutions

Whether you need a detailed model of a single significant tree or a comprehensive dataset across a large development site, we tailor the solution to your project requirements.

Proven expertise

Our diverse mix of scanning and modelling specialists, registered surveyors, the latest technology and our award-winning standards for quality and innovation mean your data is in capable hands.

Projects with significant trees
Trees scanned and modelled

Serving architects, developers, infrastructure, local and state government

NSW and beyond

Why isn’t traditional survey data enough?

While adequate in certain scenarios, traditional survey data is not sufficient for projects where significant trees need to be considered in design, planning or accessibility.

Traditional Survey

Basic dimensions
Limited canopy detail
More design assumptions
Manual interpretation

CMS Surveyors Tree Scanning and Modelling

Full 3D geometry
Detailed canopy modelling
Better design confidence
Digital workflow ready

Reduce design risk, improve stakeholder confidence, and support better decisions around significant trees.

Trees can be central to a site’s character, but they can also create complex design and construction constraints. Understanding their true 3D form is crucial to good design and a smooth build. 

CMS Surveyors provides high-resolution tree scanning, point cloud capture and 3D modelling services to support arborists, architects, planners, project teams and consent authorities working around significant trees and constrained sites.

Using terrestrial laser scanning,  UAV LiDAR, photogrammetry and 3D survey workflows, CMS Surveyors can capture the visible physical form of trees, canopies, trunks, limbs and surrounding site context in three dimensions. This allows trees to be represented as survey-grade spatial data rather than simplified symbols, approximate canopy circles or generalised assumptions.

This capability is particularly useful where tree retention, pruning, overshadowing, view impact, visual screening, access, buildability or design coordination needs to be assessed with greater spatial confidence.

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Typical applications of 3D tree data in architecture and planning

Designing around retained trees

Tree scanning allows architects and project teams to better understand the relationship between a proposed development and existing trees.

The scanned data can be incorporated into CAD, BIM or 3D visualisation environments to review canopy spread, trunk and limb position, building envelope conflicts, access/build constraints and opportunities to refine the design to better respond to significant trees.

Point cloud render of significant tree

Limb management, pruning review and tree retention

By capturing the visible canopy, trunk and limb structure in 3D, the point cloud can assist the arborist and architect in considering how a tree may be retained while accommodating a proposed development.

This may include reviewing whether selected limbs may need to be removed, pruned or retained, understanding the likely final form of the tree, and assessing conflicts with roofs, balconies, scaffolding, craneage, excavation, piling, access and site establishment.

3D tree mesh and structure model

Shadow and solar analysis

A key benefit of capturing trees as 3D point cloud data is that the scanned canopy can be used directly within solar and shadow analysis. Rather than representing trees as simple circles or assumed canopy volumes, the captured canopy can be incorporated into a coordinated 3D scene.

This allows the project team to assess existing shadow impact with trees retained, comparative shadow impact with selected trees removed, solar access outcomes with and without canopy, and whether overshadowing is primarily caused by built form, vegetation or a combination of both.

Existing
Proposed

View impact and visual screening studies

Scanned tree data can also be used within view impact and visual assessment workflows. Existing trees can significantly affect what is visible from neighbouring properties, public areas or key viewpoints.

By incorporating scanned tree canopies into a 3D scene, CMS Surveyors can help assess view impacts with trees retained, removed or modified, the visual screening effect of existing vegetation, and whether views are affected by canopy, proposed built form or both.

Existing view
Virtual view of proposed change with trees removed

Capture and modelling methods

CMS Surveyors can use a combination of terrestrial laser scanning, photogrammetry and survey control to capture tree geometry and surrounding site context. Survey control can be established on MGA/AHD, project datum or truncated coordinates, depending on the required workflow.

The captured data can be processed into registered point clouds and, where required, high-detail 3D mesh models. These models can be used in CAD, BIM and visualisation workflows, including software such as Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, 3ds Max and other compatible platforms.

Trees on site
Significant trees drone capture
Tree mesh isolated

Here’s why top architects and planners scan and model significant trees in their projects

Easier design around existing trees

Accurate 3D tree models can help identify conflicts earlier and support more responsive design outcomes.

Support arboricultural assessments

Survey-grade tree data can assist arborists in assessing canopy spread, branch structure and tree retention requirements.

Improved stakeholder confidence

Visualisation and spatial data help communicate design intent to councils, project teams and community stakeholders.

Reduced construction risk

Detailed tree models can inform access planning, protection zones and construction methodologies.

Integration with design platforms

Tree scan data can be incorporated into CAD, BIM and visualisation workflows at all stages of the project.

Do I need tree scanning and modelling for my project?

If retained trees are influencing your project’s design, approval pathway or construction approach, then a precise a scan and model can drastically improve your processes and outcomes.

We’ve provided 3D tree data for:

  • Architects
  • Landscape Architects
  • Arborists
  • Town Planners
  • Property Developers
  • Project Managers
  • Civil Engineers
  • Local Government teams
  • Infrastructure Project Teams

Contact our team for a Detail and Level quote.

CMS Surveyors makes surveying simple.

We’ll provide you with the survey or plan that you need, with efficiency and precision. We pride ourselves on communication and quality of work, which means you’ll have confidence in moving forward with your project.

Ready to reduce design risk around significant trees?

Speak with our team about your project requirements and we’ll recommend the most appropriate capture and modelling solution.

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