Most people call a tree company when they already know what they want. Take this tree down. Trim that one back. A consultation is for all the other times: the tree that looks a little off but you can’t say why, the mesquite your HOA keeps sending letters about, the big ash over the patio that came with the house.
A good consultation turns “I’m not sure” into a plan. Here’s what actually happens during one, and how to tell if you need it.
When a consultation makes sense
You don’t need an arborist every time a palo verde drops some twigs. But it’s worth having one out when:
- A tree is leaning more than it used to, or the lean showed up suddenly
- Leaves are yellowing, thinning or dropping out of season
- You see mushrooms, shelf fungus or soft spots on the trunk or at the base
- Big limbs hang over your roof, pool, driveway or a neighbor’s yard
- You just bought a home with mature trees and have no idea how they were cared for
- You’re planning a new tree and want it in the right spot the first time
- Your HOA or property manager wants a professional opinion before approving work
If any of those sound familiar, a visit from an arborist costs a lot less than guessing wrong on a large tree.
What the arborist actually looks at
A consultation starts at the ground and works up. University of Florida IFAS Extension lays out the checklist most arborists follow, and it applies in the desert just as well as it does in Florida.
Roots and the root flare
The flare is where the trunk widens out into roots. If it’s buried under rock, fill dirt or a raised planter, the arborist will want to uncover it. Buried flares and roots that wrap around the trunk (girdling roots) are common reasons a tree slowly declines for years before anyone notices.
The trunk
Cracks, cavities, loose bark and fungus growing out of the wood all point to decay. So do carpenter ants and nesting holes. Some decay is no big deal. Some means the trunk can’t hold up the weight above it. Telling those two apart is a big part of the job.
How the tree is built
Two trunks of the same size growing from one point, especially with a tight “V” between them, are a known weak spot. So are long, heavy limbs with all their leaves bunched at the tips, which is what you get from lion’s tailing (more on that in our post on trimming mesquite and palo verde). Come monsoon season, structure matters more than almost anything else.
The canopy
Dead branches, thin foliage, leaves that are the wrong color or the wrong size. In the Valley, a lot of canopy problems trace back to water: not enough in June, or way too much from a sprinkler zone that runs all year.
The site
Irrigation, soil, anything that’s been built or dug near the roots, how close the tree sits to the house. A tree that was fine for twenty years can go downhill after a new patio or pool goes in.
What you should walk away with
By the end you should know three things: what’s going on with the tree, how urgent it is, and what your options are. Removal isn’t the only answer. Often it’s a targeted pruning job, an irrigation fix, or simply keeping an eye on something for a season.
Don’t be shy about asking questions. Good ones include:
- Is this a safety issue now, or something to watch?
- What happens if I leave it alone for a year?
- Can it be saved, and is that worth the cost?
- Should I change how I’m watering it?
If you need the findings for an HOA, an insurance claim or a home sale, ask for them in writing.
Make sure you’re talking to an actual arborist
Anyone can put “tree expert” on the side of a truck. ISA Certified Arborists have passed an exam, keep up with continuing education and agree to a code of ethics. Certification is voluntary and isn’t a guarantee of good work, but it’s a solid baseline, and you can look anyone up with the ISA’s Verify a Credential tool. University of Arizona Extension’s guide on hiring a tree expert is worth a read too, and so is our post on how to hire a tree company in Gilbert.
Book a consultation in the East Valley
Heartwood’s ISA Certified Arborists do tree consultations for homeowners, HOAs and property managers in Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale and across our service area. If the answer turns out to be pruning or removal, we can take care of that too. See everything we do on our tree services page, request a free estimate, or call (480) 269-5636.
Related reading: 7 warning signs a tree may be dangerous and what to do with a storm-damaged tree.
Sources
- University of Florida IFAS Extension, Gardening Solutions, Tree Risk Assessment
- International Society of Arboriculture, Verify a Credential
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, How to Hire a Tree Expert (AZ1003)
