A paid arborist consultation is an on-site appointment focused on evaluating your concerns, examining the tree and surrounding site, and providing professional guidance.

• We discuss what you have observed, when the concern began, and any relevant property history
• We evaluate visible tree health, structure, root flare conditions, soil, drainage, and surrounding site factors
• We explain observed conditions, likely contributing factors, and relevant uncertainties
• We discuss reasonable options such as monitoring, Plant Health Care, pruning, additional evaluation, or removal
• Verbal findings and recommendations are provided during the appointment

A free estimate is an on-site visit for clients who already know which tree service or Plant Health Care treatment they want priced.

• We review the identified work, such as pruning, removal, stump grinding, planting, or an established treatment
• We evaluate access, nearby targets, equipment requirements, work complexity, and property-protection considerations
• We define the proposed scope of work
• We provide written pricing and explain the next steps

A free estimate is not an in-depth diagnostic appointment. When diagnosis or independent professional guidance is needed before the work can be identified, begin with a paid arborist consultation.A free estimate is an on-site visit for clients who already know they need tree work and want pricing for the job. Additionally, if you called us for a consultation, but while on site the Arborist finds a necessary service, and you want it performed, then it becomes a free estimate.

For professional recommendations, diagnosis, and risk-informed guidance, a consultation fee is typically required.

• Why there is a fee: time on site, professional evaluation, and responsibility attached to recommendations.
• What it includes: inspection, discussion, and clear guidance on options and priorities.
• When a written report is needed: insurance, HOA, construction, disputes, or formal documentation.

Most consultations take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of trees and complexity.

• Single tree with a focused concern is usually on the shorter end.
• Multiple trees, multi-issue sites, or risk concerns may require more time.
• If a formal report is needed, the visit may include measurements and photo documentation.

A few small steps improve accuracy and reduce back-and-forth.

• Provide access to the yard and any gated areas.
• Secure pets indoors: please bring dogs and other animals inside, or place them in a closed area
• Point out specific concerns: cracks, dead limbs, lean, fungal growth, soil heaving, prior failures.
• Share recent history: storms, trenching, grading, irrigation changes, herbicide use, or construction.
• If available, gather photos from earlier seasons to show decline progression.

Photos can help with triage, but most diagnoses require an on-site evaluation.

• Photos are useful for initial screening and prioritizing urgency.
• Many issues involve root zone conditions, structure, and site factors that cannot be confirmed remotely.
• If the concern involves safety or potential failure, an on-site visit is the appropriate standard of care.

The best recommendations come from combining symptoms with site history.

• Tree location and any targets nearby, such as homes, driveways, play areas, or utility lines
• Timeline of symptoms, including when decline started
• Recent changes, including soil work, drainage, irrigation, and construction
• Any prior pruning, cabling, lightning strike, pest or lawn treatments
• Your goals, including whether you prefer preservation, risk reduction, or replacement planning

All of our free estimates will have writen recommendations.

• For many residential consultations, verbal guidance plus an estimate with recommendations is sufficient.
• If you need documentation for a third party, request a full report.
• A full report is recommended for insurance, construction, HOA requirements, or neighbor disputes.

Yes, when work is appropriate and within scope, you can receive a clear proposal.

• Pruning recommendations should align with ANSI A300, and focus on objectives such as clearance, risk reduction, and structural improvement.
• Removal recommendations are made when defects, decline, or site constraints make retention unreasonable.
• Final scope can depend on access, equipment needs, and targets.

If there is active failure potential, treat it as time-sensitive.

Schedule promptly if you see:

• Fresh cracks in trunk or major leaders
• A new lean, soil lifting, or exposed roots
• Hanging or broken limbs over a target
• Recent failure with additional defects present
• Decay indicators near the base with targets nearby

If immediate hazards exist, restrict access to the area until evaluation or mitigation occurs.

Yes. Tree protection planning is often the difference between tree survival and preventable decline.

• Pre-construction assessment and feasibility recommendations
• Tree protection zones, root protection, and access planning
• Monitoring during work when appropriate
• Post-construction mitigation recommendations

Scheduling depends on seasonality and storm activity.

• Peak demand often occurs after storms and during active growing seasons.
• If you have deadlines for insurance, HOA, or contractors, schedule as early as possible.
• If the issue involves safety concerns, schedule at the earliest available time.