Julian Dunster

of Dunster & Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd. is the primary author for the new Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Manual & the originator of Tree Risk Assessment Course & Exam (TRACE) which preceded the new ISA Qualification. Dunster is also a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA), Registered Professional Forester, as well as a Registered Professional Planner. In addition to holding two degrees in forestry, he holds a Doctorate in Regional Planning and Resource Development. Julian has over thirty years of hands on experience from assignments all over the world and has extensive experience representing parties in tree-related liability court cases in North American as well as Hong Kong. He has just published a new book, Documenting Evidence, Practical Guide for Arborists which will debuted at the IASHK Space during Julian’s visit to Hong Kong this April… Julian has also written Arboriculture and the Law in Canada, Preliminary Species Profiles for Tree Failure Assessment, and Dictionary of Natural Resource Management.
Julian designed and implemented the much acclaimed Tree Risk Assessment and Exam (TRACE) course, leading to the designation Certified Tree Risk Assessor. Copies the manual are available for purchase in the publications section of this site. He is also the lead author of the course manual for the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) launched by the ISA in 2013. He is a fully qualified instructor in both programmes. He has trained arborists in risk assessment in Hong Kong, and all over North America.
Julian has worked on many projects, policy analysis and development, and several high profile environmental impact assessments, including writing the National Guidelines for EIA of Forestry projects in Nepal. He was the lead author of the book Forestry and Assessment. Development of the Class Environmental Assessment for Timber Management in Ontario. He has conducted audits of forestry practices in Chile, and was a member of the audit panel for the FRDA (Forest Resource Development Agreement) project in British Columbia.
In addition to his work as a consulting arborist and land use planner, he also undertakes sophisticated timber and wood testing work for engineers, architects, home owners, and government agencies. Using state of the art technology Julian provides technical reports documenting decay in trees and timber structures. Examples include the famed Hollow Tree in Vancouver, The Kinsol Trestle on Vancouver Island, totem poles, timber framed buildings, piers, docks, and bridges.