Forensic Arborist and Expert Witness
One of the more important roles Monika is involved in with Redwood Consulting Arborists is as a Forensic Arborist and Expert Witness. As such, she is able to understand and convey the science of trees in legal situations and to investigate the circumstances and events pertaining to trees and their damage or injury in such matters. Subsequently, she is competent in translating this information and presenting it to clients in a way they can understand and put to relevant use. In this capacity, she is able to interpret and communicate forensic information within a judicial context in depositions, hearings, or in trials.
Diagnosis of Tree and Landscape Problems
We examine the entire tree (foliage, trunk, branches, root flare), not just areas that seem to show a problem. Consider root problems as a possible source of above-ground symptoms. Yellow leaves, for instance, might be caused by root injury or high soil pH. Also, keep in mind that different agents may produce similar symptoms.
Insect and Disease Identification and Management
We provide information on plant disease identification and control, including rot, freeze damage, rust, blight, mold, scales, bacteria, viruses, fungus, wilt, mildew, gall, mites, moths, and cankers. We also provide tips on integrated pest management and herbicide summaries.
Plant Health Care Programs
Plant Health Care (PHC) is a more refined approach that addresses this weakness, focusing on the plant instead of the pest. More specifically, it is focused primarily on the health of the plant. PHC is a holistic, comprehensive program to manage the health, structure, and appearance of plants in the landscape.
Training and Education
Safety Training to Other Tree Businesses
As Consulting Arborists, we are proud to share our advanced knowledge with our peers and other tree and plant businesses to provide advanced education. We are available for one-on-one training as well as setting up a specific curriculum for staff members.
Tree Loss and Damage Appraisals
This is one of our key functions for our clients. Trees provide many benefits and tremendous value to property owners in a variety of ways, including natural benefits, social, environmental, and even economic. Trees minimize climate change by storing carbon, removing pollution from the atmosphere, managing storm water runoff, and improving air quality.
Trees have a multitude of values that impact people’s health and quality of life. As a result, there are times when the value of a tree needs to be defined in monetary worth. The valuation of trees and living landscape components requires training, expertise, and experience. Just like any real estate or professional appraiser, plant appraisers have the responsibility of assigning values and being prepared to defend, explain, and support their results.
If you are pursuing tree valuation for any reason, Redwood Consulting Services can properly and professionally apply methods and techniques that best relate to your individual situation.
Tree Planting Programs
America has an amazing and stunning diversity of National Forests. From urbanites in big cities to families in rural towns, we are all connected to our forests. But our forests need help. Natural disturbances such as wildfire, insects, and disease outbreaks are jeopardizing the very things that make our forests so wonderful.
That’s why we're planting 50 million trees across our National Forests. We invite all Americans – businesses and individuals alike – to join us as we replant America’s National Forests.
We make it easy – $1 plants one native tree on a National Forest in need of reforestation. And, for every $1 we invest in reforestation, the U.S. Forest Service provides $2 of value in project support and implementation.
Tree Plant Inventories
Tree inventories are intended to provide the basic information on the plant population of a property in order to make informed management decisions. Inventories can supply information on plant quantities, location, condition, size, and maintenance requirements.
Tree Protection for Construction Projects
We explain possible ways in which existing trees may be damaged during a construction project and methods for planning and facilitating the prevention of tree damage.
Homes are often constructed near existing trees to take advantage of their aesthetic and environmental value. Unfortunately, the processes involved with construction can be deadly to nearby trees. Proper planning and care are needed to preserve trees on building sites. We help you decide which trees can be saved and can also work with the builder to protect the trees throughout each phase of construction.
Tree Risk Assessments and Surveys
Landowners and tree managers have a legal responsibility to ensure their trees are safe. The simplest way to do this is to have the trees regularly inspected by a qualified tree consultant, who can conduct a tree risk survey, also known as a tree hazard survey.
The requirement for these inspections may be every year in high-risk areas such as schools and leisure centers or less frequently in places with fewer visitors.
Our team will provide a written report documenting the inspection, which should be kept as evidence of your arboriculture management plans.
Benefits of tree risk surveys
While trees cannot be guaranteed to be 100% safe, their condition can be monitored, and corrective action is taken where risks become unacceptable. It is a good idea to stagger tree risk surveys so that problems evident in autumn or winter can be identified and different problems can be seen in spring and summer.
When undertaking our tree surveys, we see that many risks are due to defects because of poor growth or from failure to manage young tree stock. A proactive approach in your tree management plan ensures remedial works can be undertaken to prevent the worsening of a hazard, reducing future costs and potential risk.
Drone Inspections
The use of drones in arboriculture can provide numerous benefits. Some of the advantages of using drones in arboriculture are:
Tree health assessment: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras can capture detailed aerial imagery of trees, allowing arborists to assess the health of individual trees or entire forests. This data can help identify signs of disease, pest infestations, or other issues that may not be easily visible from the ground. Early detection of problems enables timely intervention.
Efficient surveying: Drones can quickly survey large areas of land, providing arborists with an overview of the tree population. This data can be used for inventory management, including species identification, tree density mapping, and measuring tree heights and diameters. Such information aids in planning tree maintenance, managing resources effectively, and making informed decisions regarding tree planting or removal.
Improved safety: Arboriculture often involves working at heights, which can be hazardous for tree climbers or ground-based personnel. By employing drones, many tasks can be performed without putting human lives at risk. For example, drones can inspect tree canopies, identify weak branches, or assess tree stability after storms or other events, reducing the need for physical climbing or extensive use of heavy machinery.
Enhanced accessibility: Drones can access areas that are difficult or dangerous for humans to reach, such as steep slopes, dense forests, or remote locations. This accessibility allows arborists to assess and monitor trees in challenging terrain, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the tree population and facilitating timely interventions.
Educational and outreach opportunities: Drones can capture captivating aerial footage and imagery, which can be utilized for educational and outreach purposes. By sharing visually appealing content, such as videos or photos, arborists can raise awareness about the importance of trees, showcase their work, and engage the public in environmental conservation efforts.
Overall, the use of drones in arboriculture provides arborists and tree management professionals with valuable data, improved safety, cost savings, and enhanced efficiency. By leveraging drone technology, arborists can make informed decisions, protect tree health, and contribute to sustainable management of tree resources.
Visual Tree Assessment (VTA)
The VTA method is an internationally spread and acknowledged method for tree inspection; hazard symptoms are construed, defects are confirmed and measured, and criteria of failure are assessed. VTA helps to distinguish apparent hazardous trees from those that are really hazardous. This way, safe trees are protected.
VTA gives information about the body language and the mechanics of trees and instructs you in the correct use of our test and measuring instruments.
Homeowner (or buyer) Construction Consultation
Our Customers Include:
The Difference Between Certified Arborists and Consulting Arborists
The difference between a Certified Arborist and a Consulting Arborist resides with the organization that issues the title.
Certified Arborists are accredited through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Each individual who passes the specific test for certification will hold the title of ‘Certified Arborist’ for three years, during which time they must accumulate 30 continuing education units to maintain their certification. In general, Certified Arborists work for a company that offers a variety of tree care services, such as pruning, fertilization, cabling, lightning protection, pest management, etc.
The title Consulting Arborist, or more correctly, Registered Consulting Arborist, is issued through the American Society of Consulting Arborists. These individuals must meet the requirements of this organization to retain their titles. In general, Consulting Arborists offer services that result in detailed reports to homeowners and clients regarding tree protection, risk assessments, and value appraisals. A Consulting Arborist may also be more likely to be called an expert witness in legal situations.
TreesAreGood.org is an educational website providing homeowners and other tree owners with reliable information regarding the benefits of trees and how to properly care for trees in an urban environment. Consumers have a responsibility to care for the trees in their homes and in our communities to ensure sustainability. This website is intended to equip consumers with the ability to recognize the value of trees, the need for proper tree care, and the benefits of trees to the environment. It provides the information necessary for consumers to make informed decisions when hiring tree care providers.
The site is managed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a professional green industry organization whose mission is to promote the professional practice of arboriculture and create a worldwide awareness of the benefits of trees. ISA certifies arborists, providing the public with a source for recognizing skilled tree care professionals.
TreesAreGood.org offers tips to consumers on tree care; however, ISA recommends always hiring a trained arborist for your tree care needs. Proper long-term tree care results in healthier trees, which is essential to the sustainability of our urban environment.