What Does an Arborist Consulting Do?

The arboriculture industry is a unique one that requires the expertise of professionals who have years of experience. Consulting arborists, or RCAs (Registered Consulting Arborists) are tree experts that can answer questions about proper pruning techniques; pest identification and prevention; risk assessment; tree preservation strategies during construction projects and more. By becoming an RCA, you can provide your clients with added-value services that will set your tree business apart from the competition.

Providing services to homeowners is an important part of the business for an RCA. This can include pruning or planting trees on residential properties. Consulting arborists can also offer advice to property managers about tree health and maintenance issues. They can even work with local governments and development projects to help protect the city’s most valuable assets.

A common assignment for a RCA is writing a Tree Protection Plan for a construction project. This involves visiting the site during the design phase to take inventory of existing trees, research which ones may be protected by local ordinance and then recommending ways to protect these trees during construction. The RCA can then monitor construction activities to ensure that the protection plans are followed.

Another service that an RCA provides is a tree appraisal. This is similar to a property appraisal in that the RCA estimates the monetary value of a specific tree or group of trees. This is often completed in order to determine insurance or tax liability.

When it comes to removing trees, the work can be dangerous. This is because the process requires a high level of knowledge and training that most average people do not have. It is also necessary to use specialized equipment and follow a series of safety measures in order to avoid damaging the property or hurting yourself. The RCA can prepare the necessary documents and supervise the removal of the trees in order to ensure that it is done correctly.

An RCA can also prepare and file the necessary permit applications for tree removal, transplant, and other types of work. They can also help with the planning and scheduling of these tasks in order to minimize the impact on the surrounding trees. Finally, a RCA can perform daily monitoring and oversee excavation activities that are taking place within 50 feet of city owned trees as well as create daily reports to be submitted to the contractor as well as NYCDPR to track any potential damage during the project. They can also arbitrate on behalf of the client to avoid penalties from the park agency for violations. Lastly, an RCA can assist the client with any legal matters that might arise due to the construction work. This is especially important when the project is in a sensitive location. For example, if a large tree is located near an intersection, the RCA can help negotiate with the city to move the intersection or work around the tree. In this way, the RCA can help the client save money and preserve the integrity of their asset.

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