Arborist consultation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What arborist consultation is

An arborist consultation is an inspection of one or more trees by a certified arborist, who assesses health, structure and risk and recommends pruning, treatment, removal or protection, usually in a written report. People book one when a tree looks wrong, sits close to the house or a target, or when they are weighing a decision about a tree before any work is done.

Signs you need it

  • A tree has dropped large limbs, or has cracks, splits or cavities in the trunk or main branches
  • Leaves are thinning, dying back or changing color out of season, and you do not know why
  • Mushrooms, conks or fungus are growing at the base of the trunk or on the roots
  • A tree leans more than it used to, or the soil at its base is heaving or cracking
  • You are planning a construction project, a driveway or a patio near a tree and need to know what it can tolerate

What the pro does

  • The arborist walks the site and looks at the tree's trunk flare, root zone, canopy and the soil around it
  • They check the tree's structure by looking at the branch attachments, the lean and any defects or decay
  • They identify the targets the tree could hit if it failed, such as the house, a car, a path or a play area
  • They look for signs of pests or disease and take samples or photos where needed
  • They deliver a written report with the findings, a risk rating for the tree and options such as pruning, treatment, removal or protection

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of trees being inspected and how large they are
  • Whether the arborist needs to climb the tree or use a lift for a closer look
  • How much of the site has to be walked, including the root zone and surrounding structures
  • Whether testing, such as soil sampling or a decay probe, is included
  • Whether the report needs photos, sketches or a formal written document
  • Whether the arborist attends a meeting, a hearing or a site walk with others
  • Whether follow-up visits are planned to recheck the tree

What a written quote should spell out

  • The trees covered, identified by species and location on the site
  • The type of inspection, such as a visual assessment or a closer look with climbing or testing
  • What the written report will contain, and the format it will be delivered in
  • Any testing or sampling included, and what is excluded
  • The timeline for the report and any follow-up
  • Whether the arborist will explain the findings in person or by phone

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are you a certified arborist, and can I see your certification number?
  • Will you give me a written report, and what will it include?
  • Do you have any financial interest in the work you recommend, such as tree removal or pruning?
  • How do you assess risk, and what would make you recommend removal over treatment?
  • Will you look at the roots and soil as well as the canopy?
  • Can you tell me which options keep the tree, and what each one costs the tree in terms of health?
  • Do you carry insurance for your site visits?

Red flags

  • They recommend removal on the first visit without a written assessment or any explanation
  • They sell a treatment or product during the inspection without saying what they found
  • They will not show proof of the arborist certification or the insurance they carry
  • They give a verbal opinion and refuse to put the findings in writing
  • They cannot describe the tree's risk in plain terms or say what would change the assessment

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can take photos of the tree, note when symptoms started, and check whether the bark, leaves or soil look different from the rest of the yard. An inspection itself is not something to do alone, since a proper assessment needs a trained eye and sometimes a climb. Call a certified arborist before you prune, treat or remove a tree that you suspect is unsafe.

Licenses and permits

Arborist consultations are commonly not licensed in the same way as tree removal, but some areas register or license tree work and the people who sell it. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the rules that apply to arborists and tree professionals where you live.

Arborist consultation questions

What does a certified arborist actually do?

A certified arborist has passed a recognized professional exam and keeps up continuing education. They assess tree health and structure and recommend care. Ask for the certification number and check it with the certifying body before you book.

Should I get a second opinion before removing a tree?

Yes, especially for large trees or trees near the house. A second assessment can confirm the findings or offer different options. Ask each arborist to put their findings in writing so you can compare them.

What is in a tree risk assessment report?

Usually it lists the tree, its condition, the defects found, the targets nearby, a risk rating and the options with their tradeoffs. Ask the arborist to explain each part so you understand what the recommendation is based on.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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