First and foremost, we are educators. All the arborists at UFA hold degrees in Forest Science. We have a wide variety of professional backgrounds and we truly love sharing our knowledge and passion for trees. As forestry is such a diverse field, we are able to offer a great range of services. Because we do not prune or remove trees, you can trust that our advice is solely in your best interest. Our services include:
one-hour health and risk assessments
tree protection plans
vegetation management plans
real estate escrow inspections
tree and plant appraisal (including fire damaged plants)
urban forest management
forensic investigations and expert witness testimony
GIS mapping and analysis
Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)
In short, if you need consultation help with your trees, we can provide it.
One-Hour Inspection
Our one-hour inspection is the most common service utilized by homeowners. If you are worried about a sick tree or a potentially hazardous branch, this service is for you. It includes 1/2 hour of travel time and an hour on site (time over one hour is billed in 15-minute increments). Typical inspection reasons include Pest and Disease Diagnosis, Tree Risk Assessment, and Sudden Oak Death management. Our native oak trees and redwoods constitute a large percentage of our inspections. We can generate a report recording our observations, conclusions, and recommendations upon request. If the tree is beyond help, this report can be used to satisfy the Arborist Report requirement of many of the local municipalities for tree removal applications. Ideally, the goal of the appointment is to educate you about your tree(s) so that you feel comfortable and confident in making management decisions.
Submit an inquiry on our Contact page to begin scheduling an appointment.
Notholithocarpus densiflorus (Tanoak)
Tree Protection Plans
Tree Protection Plans (TPPs) are required during almost any construction project when trees are on the property or adjacent properties if they could be affected by the development.
Our staff has experience not only in preparing compliant TPPs but actually working on construction sites as carpenters. We are intimately familiar with the regulations and practices on the typical construction site.
Vegetation Management Plans
The various planning and fire departments throughout the Bay Area often require Vegetation Management Plans (VMPs). As foresters, we have education in wildland fire and fire ecology. We are well-equipped to produce high-quality, effective VMPs and to advise our clients on fire danger and the combustibility of landscape plants. In addition, Ray has extensive experience on volunteer fire crews and has been involved in many large fires throughout California, including the Oakland and Vision Fires.
Tree and Plant Appraisal
While nearly everyone is aware of the aesthetic value of trees, people are often surprised to learn there is a method for appraising the monetary value (or cost) of mature trees. Trees can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars in value or cost of replacement. Knowing this amount can help tremendously in recouping loss after damage. Mature trees have been shown to significantly increase the property value of a home. UFA can provide plant appraisals for legal cases (including fire victims), insurance claims, real estate, or simple curiosity.
Forensic Investigation and Expert Witness Testimony
Urban Forestry Associates provides forensic investigation and expert witness testimony on tree damage and failure, vegetation fire, vegetation management, and other landscape issues. UFA staff has been involved in over 200 legal cases all over California for various clients, including private individuals, businesses, local governments, and state departments, including many for Caltrans.
We serve both claimants and defendants.