In case you didn't know, an arborist is a tree industry professional who cares for individual trees, commonly in urban areas like residential yards and public parks. Arborists practice arboriculture, which means "the cultivation, management and study of individual trees." This focus on studying and caring for one tree at a time sets an arborist apart from a forester, who cares for an entire forest rather than focusing on individual trees.
A consulting arborist is a licensed arborist who is hired to provide detailed information on the care and management of individual trees, or groups of trees in a specific area, in an urban environment. Keep reading to learn more about the services which a consulting arborist can provide.
Services Performed by Consulting Arborists
Different arborists perform different tasks, ranging from pruning services to tree disease prevention. Consulting arborists provide all the information that people need to care for trees on their property, but they do not perform the actual tree care services. A key distinction between a consulting arborist and a practicing arborist is that a true consulting arborist will never try to gain service work from the information they provide.
Because consulting arborists are at the pinnacle of knowledge in the arboriculture field, they can provide incredibly accurate and detailed information that goes beyond what is needed to care for trees on a day-to-day basis. Consulting arborists can provide consultation on the following tree-related topics:
● Tree appraisals and valuation of landscapes
● Tree failure analysis
● Diagnosis of tree diseases and prescriptions for treatment
● Tree protection planning
● Tree management plans for cities, HOAs, parks and more
● Tree-related legal counsel and expert witness services
● Risk assessments for standing trees
Sam Kezar, Aspen's Registered Consulting Arborist
My name is Sam Kezar and I am a Registered Consulting Arborist (#705) operating in states throughout the Midwest with my tree care company, Aspen Arboriculture Solutions. I am also an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (MW4503B), a Qualified Tree Appraiser and a TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional.
Oftentimes, I am called to a property in order to place a value on trees that were damaged in an accident, by inclement weather or otherwise. This can be for insurance claims or legal cases, but I provide an independent and objective assessment of the damaged trees. Using my trained judgment and industry guidelines, I place an appraised value on the trees in question prior to their damage.
Other times, I diagnose an issue with a tree and provide information to the tree owner so that they can make an informed decision on how to care for it. Sometimes, I may also provide general insight on trees, to inform interested clients so that they can use my knowledge to make better decisions regarding trees in the future.
Contact Aspen Arboriculture Solutions today if you'd like the services of a consulting arborist to assess the trees on your property in the Midwest!