Research and Consulting

Tree and natural resource inventories are essential for planning, maintenance, scheduling, cost estimating, managing resources, and decision-making. We can assess the biological and structural health of your trees. This information can pinpoint trees that constitute a safety hazard, and when coupled with an inventory assessment, provide essential information for developing management priorities and budgets.

Morris Arboretum Urban Forestry Consultants can map and graphically present your natural resources in CAD or GIS. Trees can be referenced with information from our inventories/assessments; tree icons can show canopy size, tree type, life expectancy and other information. Using ArcGIS Collector on iPad, we can create inventory maps of your property in the field and share them with you through the ArcGIS Online platform.

We will provide you with an action-based, prioritized tree management plan based, in part, on tree inventory/assessment information. The plan is tailored to fit your needs and can provide budget and planning information, offer a wide array of tree-related recommendations, and give you the in-depth information on implementing best tree and risk management practices. We can also craft Emerald Ash Borer management plans for your institution or municipality.

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 work with all stakeholders, including Shade Tree Commissions, Environmental Action Committees, and Engineers, to develop and implement strategies that help insure the health and longevity of your community’s natural resources.

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 mechanical recording resistance drill can be used as a diagnostic tool to help quantify the extent of sound wood.

Before construction begins, the Arboretum Consultants can help you to protect trees during 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.

Trees have economic, environmental, and aesthetic value. When a tree is damaged or destroyed, our experienced as Board Certified Master Arborists can provide a value for that lost resource so you be compensated fairly. We can also provide you or your organization a long-term, realistic tree management budget. Inventory/assessment information is used to estimate the cost of tree removals, stump grinding, pruning, cabling, and other activities, and can 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 species selection.

Healthy soil is vital and directly impacts tree health and longevity. Many tree-related problems arise from poor soil conditions, nutrient deficiencies, and compaction. The Urban Forestry Consultant team will identify soil deficiencies by conducting soil tests to provide the information necessary to recommend a course of action to preserve and enhance your soil resource.

Our Board Certified Master Arborists have been hired as experts by the area’s leading law firms, insurance agencies, and other parties in litigation cases concerning damage or loss related to a tree, trees, or tree-related personal injury. We can evaluate, analyze, and interpret the site or evidence, and provide deposition or court testimony as needed.