CONSULTING arborist

Tree Risk Assessment, Arborist Reports, Tree Preservation During Construction, Tree Appraisals, Sonic Tomography, Drilling, Root Inspection, Disease Identification 

As a Consulting Arborist, I am professional and uniquely qualified, having extensive education, research and teaching experience and vast practical knowledge regarding tree growth, physiology and management. All practices follow ANSI A300 standards ISA's Tree Risk Assessment Best Management Practices. 

Tree risk assessment methods

There are four primary methods for collecting the data necessary for tree risk assessments. These methods can be used in isolation or in combination with other methods depending on a particular tree’s circumstances – for trees in high-profile circumstances, all four methods may be used. These methods are

Ground inspection
This type of risk assessment is carried out by visual tree inspection at ground level.
Aerial inspection: This type of risk assessment involves ascending a tree with ropes or an aerial lift to inspect the tree’s crown.

Aerial inspection
Ascending a tree with ropes or an aerial lift to inspect the tree’s crown.

Trunk/limb inspection
When necessary, our qualified tree risk assessors utilise state-of-the-art tools such as the Rinntech Arbotom® sonic tomograph or Rinntech Resistograph® to “look” inside a tree’s trunk or limb and locate hidden decay and invisible cavities or cracks.

Root inspection
A tree can pose risks below the ground as well, and by using the Air-Spade® supersonic air jet digging tool we are able to remove dirt and even hard clay from around a tree’s roots, with no root damage or threat to underground cables. We can then visually inspect roots for structural issues and fungal pathogens. ATP also utilises ground-penetrating radar and Arboradix sonic tomography for locating roots. This is especially useful for pre-construction planning in close proximity to trees.

Sonic Tomography

Sonic tomography, pull tests, drilling and other methods are used to collect data for analyzing the structural integrity of trees. Specialized equipment to monitor and evaluate advancement of decay, adaptation and tree health are recommended in many situations. Our understanding of the likelihood of failure often serves as the first phase of preservation. After information has been formally collected and analyzed, recommendations and measures of risk mitigation can be offered in a report.