For attorneys and mediators
An independent arborist who has already documented the site
Boundary Tree produces the factual record a tree dispute turns on: whose tree, what condition, what the roots and limbs are doing, whether the failure was foreseeable, what the ordinance requires. Same report whether retained by plaintiff, defendant, or jointly.
- Neighbor and boundary tree disputes under Civil Code 833, 834 and 841
- Root and limb encroachment, nuisance and damage causation
- Tree and limb failure: pre-failure condition, foreseeability, standard of care
- Wrongful cutting and trespass to trees: condition before, with CTLA appraisal through Urban Forestry Guide for Civil Code 3346 damages
- View ordinance claims and defenses: Oakland, Berkeley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Sausalito
- Protected-tree and heritage ordinance questions in 56 Bay Area jurisdictions
- HOA common-area tree responsibility
Scope of work and rates
Site documentation and report. From $850 flat (Dispute Assessment) or hourly under retention. Numbered photographs, measurements, aerial location, condition, encroachment, causation, ordinance analysis, limitations statement.
Review of opposing expert. $250 per hour.
Declarations, mediation, hearings. $250 per hour.
Deposition and trial. $250 per hour, half-day minimum.
Retainer required. Invoiced monthly to the firm. Fee schedule, CV and a redacted sample report sent on request.
What stays out of the report
Property-line opinions (surveyor), repair cost and structural opinions (contractor, engineer), legal conclusions. The report names the hand-off rather than guessing; that is what keeps it intact under cross.
For mediators and community mediation centers
A neutral arborist report, paid for jointly by the parties, is often the fastest route to agreement in a tree case. Both parties sign the engagement, both receive the report, and the arborist is available to attend the session by the hour. We work with community mediation programs across the Bay Area and are glad to be on your referral list. Email.
Questions people ask
What are your credentials?
ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A and ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional WE-15750AF, 13 years in Bay Area arboriculture across field, operations and consulting, working knowledge of 56 Bay Area city tree ordinances. CV on request.
Consulting or testifying?
Either. Many matters start as a consulting engagement for site documentation and a read on the other side's expert, and convert to testifying if the case does not settle. The retention letter covers both.
Turnaround?
Site visit within 7 days of retention; written report 7 to 10 business days after the visit; 48 hours when a deadline requires it. Declarations within 3 business days of the report.
Rates?
$250 per hour for review, site work, report writing, declarations, mediation and hearings. Deposition and trial at a half-day minimum. Retainer required; invoiced monthly to the firm.
Do you handle appraisals?
Yes, under the CTLA Guide for Plant Appraisal, delivered through Urban Forestry Guide. Civil Code 3346 and CCP 733 double and treble damages are applied to the appraised value, so the appraisal method is documented in detail.