Know the cause before the damage takes hold
Most vegetation health issues start before any symptoms are visible. By the time you notice dieback, yellowing or stunted growth, valuable time and biodiversity may already be lost. ArborCarbon's diagnostic and laboratory services uncover the real cause early, so you can act with certainty and avoid repeat problems.
Most treatments fail because the diagnosis was wrong
Too often, teams assume what's causing tree decline based on what they can see—or worse, what worked last time. Not all dieback is caused by Phytophthora or PSHB. Not all leaf discolouration is due to nutrient deficiency. Without accurate diagnostics, you're treating symptoms, not causes. And that leads to wasted effort, lost assets and escalating costs.
Accurate diagnosis starts in the field and ends in action
We combine decades of plant pathology experience with dual-method lab testing to identify pathogens and stressors down to species level. Using both traditional culturing and advanced DNA sequencing, we deliver accurate, evidence-based results. But we don’t stop at identification. Every report comes with clear treatment guidance and prevention strategies tailored to your environment.
This is not general lab testing. It's targeted investigation designed to protect biodiversity, inform management decisions and support compliance obligations.
What we deliver
- Species-level pathogen identification using culturing and DNA sequencing
- Rapid preliminary results with Pocket Diagnostic® field kits
- Clear reporting that translates data into next steps
- Treatment, containment and monitoring strategies backed by science
- On-ground and remote support from qualified plant pathologists
How it works:
Why choose ArborCarbon?
Global forest and tree health specialists
Our team includes world leaders in pathogen and pest diagnostics, with scientific, peer-reviewed published research and international experience. We've described new species and developed treatment protocols use across Australia and overseas.
More than 100 years of combined pathology expertise
We have the greatest number of forest pathologists in any entity within Australia. Our diagnostic capability is built on decades of real-world research and client support. We are scientists first—but always outcome-focused.
Integrated field and lab approach
We’re not a testing lab working in isolation. We understand landscapes, stakeholders and budget pressures—and we translate lab results into operational strategy.
Tools plus thinking
We combine traditional and novel technologies with extensive expertise to help you move from symptom to solution, and from uncertainty to clarity.
WA Department of Sport & Recreation: early detection and intervention
The challenge
Iconic WA Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) had been suffering ongoing decline and death within the Point Walter Recreation Centre for many years. ArborCarbon was asked to diagnose the cause and recommend treatments to mitigate the decline. This would reduce costs for ongoing dead wood removal and replacement, and conserve these wonderful trees that provide shelter for occupants and habitat for surrounding wildlife.
The solution
ArborCarbon undertook destructive sampling of trees and collection of samples from all parts of the trees. We identified blue-stain within the vascular system, and even described a new species of pathogen, Ophiostoma eucalyptigena Crous & Barber, associated with bark beetles infesting declining trees (Crous et al. 2016). We also identified deficiencies in micro-nutrients through foliar analysis.
The impact
ArborCarbon implemented a program of improving soil beneficial microbes, foliar nutrient applications, and systemic treatments, resulting in marked improvement in the vigour of trees, and conservation of existing iconic trees throughout the site, reducing costs for deadwood removal and eventual replacement.
"ArborCarbon helped us move from reactive to preventative. Their data gave us confidence and credibility with our community." — WA Local Government Project Lead
