When asked what I do for a living and reply with I’m a consulting arborist and forester I usually get a blank stare and are often asked, what does that mean? Most folks are acquainted with tree contractor firms, but not so much what the job of a consultant is. The common impression is when there is a tree problem, contact a tree guy / gal and have them perform the work. Consulting arborists are the connoisseurs for tree related issues. Consulting arborists work toward ensuring the safety, health and preservation of trees in urban and rural settings. Trees in the urban interface present many issues.
Safety of residents in associations is always the chief concern. We rely upon best management practices and attentive maintenance to safeguard trees and to make sure they thrive. When trees cause problems resulting in damage to property or pose a risk to public safety, an impartial source of advice and knowledge is needed to mediate the issue.
The role of a consulting arborist is to provide a comprehensive, objective, and impartial perspective for all involved parties to make informed decisions.
Key Differences
Focus – Practicing arborists are focused on the physical work of tree care and maintenance, whereas consulting arborists specialize in advisory roles, providing expert opinions and recommendations.
Services Offered – Practicing arborists often work directly on trees, performing tasks like pruning or treatments, while consulting arborists provide analysis, reports, and expert witness services.
Certification and Training – While both can hold certifications, consulting arborists often pursue additional credentials related to consultancy work in arboriculture.
The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) is the forefront of tree consulting associations, and the members of this designation are the elite of the arboricultural world. ASCA focuses solely on the training, testing, and administration of the Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA) program.
As a consulting arborist, our comprehension, proficiency and objective role as an RCA make us highly desirable for many reasons;
An unbiased opinion, tree inventories, risk management, writing specifications and providing representation for the client. These are examples of the consultants role.
In closing, while a certified arborist is primarily involved in the hands-on care and maintenance of trees, a consulting arborist specializes in providing expert advice and analysis on tree-related matters. Both roles are vital to the health and management of trees in urban and natural environments. Partners, I would say!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Rockwell Hosbach, Jr. is a highly effective Registered Consulting Arborist, Certified Arborist, and Landscape Consultant with over twenty-five years of experience in the diagnosis and evaluation of woody plants. John possesses a strong ability to assess longevity, potential risk, monetary value, and the ability to tolerate environmental change or construction injury of trees and shrubs. John also provides investigation, documentation, formal report writing, and expert opinion for HOAs, residents, arbitration, jury, and non-jury trials. John specializes in urban tree inventories and management plans for a wide range of clientele. Learn more about Rockwell Associates at: www.rockwellurbanforestry.com and contact John at: john@rockwellurbanforestry.com.
