Please note: We do not work for individual residential clients unless an arborist requests our tree diagnostic services to provide recommendations on specific trees. Residential clients with arboricultural needs can find a local arborist through the ISA website.
Tree and natural resource inventories are essential for planning, tree maintenance scheduling, cost estimating, mapping, decision-making, and managing resources. Trees are identified to the species or hybrid level (and often to the sub-species or horticultural variety), measured, and assigned an inventory number.
Pest, disease, nutrient deficiencies, injuries and weaknesses are identified. Recommendations are provided for remedial pruning, cabling, fertilization, or removal. Trees that are a safety hazard are identified and essential information is provided for developing management priorities, budgeting, and planning.
Maladies such as cavities, cracks, fungal fruiting bodies and other signs of structural problems may be discovered during a tree inventory/assessment. In some cases, it may not be possible to make a clear treatment or removal recommendation without an in-depth inspection. If structural soundness is in question, a Resistograph® - a machine that measures the resistance of wood to a 1/8-inch diameter brad point drill bit as it bores into the trunk or limb - can be used as a diagnostic tool to help quantify the extent of sound wood.
The Urban Forestry team can represent your natural resources in CAD (using AutoCAD) or GIS (using ArcVIEW). Trees can be referenced with information from our inventories/assessments, while tree icons can show canopy size, tree type, life expectancy and other information.
Before construction begins, the Arboretum can help you to protect trees at all project phases, from initial planning to after-construction tree care. We identify tree protection zones, structural root zones, and provide specifications to assure trees and shrubs are planted and protected.
Inventory/assessment information is used to estimate the cost of tree removals, stump grinding, pruning, cabling, and other activities. We will prepare a prioritized phased management program customized to fit specific budgets. We advise on tree pruning, tree removal, lightning protection, new tree planting and tree selection.
The Urban Forestry Consultant team can foster an appreciation of your site by designing a system of interpretive signs, reference labels, and educational displays.
Soil quality directly impacts tree health and longevity, and many tree-related problems arise from poor soil conditions. The Urban Forestry team can identify soil deficiencies by conducting soil tests to provide the information necessary to recommend a course of action. We diagnose problematic tree health and safety conditions by using the most up-to-date specialty tools such as the Resistograph®, a handheld device that can detect tree cracks and cavities.
A well-written tree ordinance benefits your community by supporting active tree maintenance and planting. We work with you to develop ordinances that fit your particular needs and circumstances. The Urban Forestry Consultant team can provide tree-related specifications customized to fit your project.
We provide introductory through expert-level courses and seminars on a wide range of arboricultural topics. These sessions provide hands-on training and background information, enabling our clients to actively manage their tree resource using best management practices and the most current standards. Educational workshops are provided at the Morris Arboretum or at your site. Click here for current School of Arboriculture class offerings.
