Arborist Consulting

When You Need Expert Tree Advice

Sometimes you need more than just tree service. You need professional advice from someone who really understands trees. That's what arborist consulting provides. Whether you're planning a landscape, dealing with a tree problem you don't understand, or need an expert opinion for legal or insurance purposes, our consulting services give you the information you need to make smart decisions.

An arborist is a tree specialist trained in the science of planting, caring for, and managing trees. Here in Florence-Graham, we work with homeowners, property managers, contractors, and attorneys who need expert tree analysis and recommendations. Our consulting services are separate from our regular tree work, though we can certainly handle any recommended work if you choose us to do it.

Consulting Services We Provide

Arborist consulting covers a wide range of situations. Here are the most common reasons people hire us for professional consultation:

• Tree risk assessments for hazardous or declining trees
• Pre-construction tree preservation planning
• Tree selection and planting location recommendations
• Diagnosis of tree diseases, pest problems, and health issues
• Expert witness services for legal disputes involving trees
• Tree valuation and appraisal for insurance claims
• Development of long-term tree care plans
• Soil analysis and improvement recommendations

Each consultation includes a site visit where we thoroughly examine the trees in question. We document our findings with photos and detailed notes. You receive a written report explaining the situation in plain English and recommending specific actions. These reports are comprehensive enough to share with contractors, insurance companies, or attorneys if needed. If your trees require professional care, our Florence-Graham tree service team can implement the recommendations.

Tree Risk Assessment

One of our most requested consulting services is tree risk assessment. This involves evaluating trees to determine if they pose a hazard to people or property. We look at the tree's structural condition, health, and location. We assess the likelihood of failure and the potential consequences if the tree or large branches fall. This is especially important for trees near homes, walkways, or high-traffic areas.

Risk assessment follows standardized protocols developed by the International Society of Arboriculture. We classify risk levels and recommend actions to reduce risk to acceptable levels. Sometimes this means pruning to remove hazardous branches. Other times it means cabling or bracing to support weak structures. And yes, sometimes it means the tree needs to be removed. We'll be honest about what the tree needs, and if removal is necessary, we provide professional tree removal services.

Pre-Construction Tree Preservation

If you're planning construction near existing trees, consulting with an arborist before work begins can save you thousands of dollars and prevent tree loss. Construction activities damage trees more often than people realize. Heavy equipment compacts soil around roots. Trenching cuts major roots. Grade changes bury or expose root systems. These injuries often don't show up until months or years after construction is complete.

We help you plan construction activities to minimize tree damage. This includes establishing tree protection zones, planning access routes that avoid root systems, and scheduling work to reduce stress on trees. We can monitor construction progress to ensure protection measures are followed. Many municipalities require tree preservation plans for building permits, and we can prepare these documents. Our team also provides ongoing tree health services to help trees recover from construction stress.

Consulting Questions