Deborah Ellis, Consulting Arborist and Horticulturist

Specialist in the Diagnosis of Plant Problems
in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Agriculture

All photos on this web site taken by Deborah Ellis

Services for Specific Clients

Architects:

  • Tree surveys and arborist reports
  • Tree protection specification development (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Supervision and documentation of tree protection at the site

Civil Engineers:

  • Tree surveys and arborist reports
  • Tree protection specification development (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Plan review relative to tree impacts (generally included in tree surveys/arborist reports)
  • Supervision and documentation of tree protection at the site
  • Coordinating with general and landscape architects regarding site design and construction execution
  • Dealing with non-tree vegetation on a site

Claims Adjusters:

  • Tree failure analysis
  • Trespass and damage cases involving vegetation
  • Tree and Landscape Monetary Appraisal
  • Forensic investigations and reports for legal cases

General Contractors:

  • Tree surveys and arborist reports to comply with City or County requirements
  • Tree protection specification development (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Plan review relative to tree impacts (generally included in tree surveys/arborist reports)
  • Supervision and documentation of tree protection at the site
  • Coordinating with others in the design/build team such as civil engineers, grading contractors, and landscape architects regarding site design and construction execution
  • Dealing with non-tree vegetation on a site

Demo/Grading/Pavement Contractors:

  • Arborist Services on site during construction
    • Dealing with tree roots
    • Directing pruning for construction clearance
    • Determining whether trees should be saved or removed due to construction damage
  • Tree surveys and arborist reports to comply with City or County requirements
  • Plan review relative to tree impacts (generally included in tree surveys/arborist reports)
  • Coordinating with others in the design/build team such as civil engineers, grading contractors, and landscape architects regarding site design and construction execution
  • Tree protection specification development (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Supervision, inspection and documentation of tree protection at the site
  • Dealing with non-tree vegetation on a site

Developers

  • Tree surveys and arborist reports to comply with City or County requirements
  • Tree protection specification development (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Plan review relative to tree impacts (generally included in tree surveys/arborist reports)
  • Supervision and documentation of tree protection at the site
  • Coordinating with general and landscape architects regarding site design and construction execution
  • Dealing with non-tree vegetation on a site

Environmental Firms:

  • Tree surveys and arborist reports (including tree risk rating & prioritization)
  • Tree protection specification development & supervision (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Development of plant lists for difficult sites, including native plants
  • Landscape maintenance specifications
  • Recycled irrigation water use – effects on plants and mitigation measures
  • Plant problem diagnosis and recommendations, Integrated Pest Management plan development
  • Licensed California Pest Control Adviser (PCA) for government-required pest mitigation recommendations in writing from a PCA
  • Landscape maintenance specifications
  • Utilization of recycled irrigation water, effect on plants and mitigation measures
  • Forensic investigations and reports for legal cases involving vegetation
  • Research for special cases/problems
  • Development of educational materials and presentations

Homeowner Associations:

  • Tree surveys and arborist reports for:
    • Long-term tree management plans (planting, maintenance, budget development.)
    • Tree risk analysis and prioritization for removal or remedial work
    • City-required arborist reports including tree protection specifications
    • Supervision and documentation of tree protection before, during and after construction
  • Landscape plant problem diagnosis and recommendations
  • Landscape maintenance specifications
  • RFP development for landscape work, work specifications, bid management & analysis & work supervision
  • Custom plant list development for the site
  • Investigations and reports for legal cases concerning trees or other vegetation
  • Utilization of recycled irrigation water, effect on plants and mitigation measures
  • Development of educational materials and presentations for homeowner associations and other groups

Law Firms:

  • Tree failure analysis
  • Trespass and damage cases involving vegetation
  • Tree and Landscape Monetary Appraisal
  • Forensic investigations, documentation and professional reports for legal cases

Landscape Architects:

  • Tree surveys and arborist reports
  • Tree protection specification development & supervision (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Tree risk management plans
  • Development of plant lists for difficult sites
  • Location of difficult-to-find plants
  • Inspection and selection of plant materials at the nursery or job site prior to installation
  • Plant problem diagnosis & recommendations
  • Landscape maintenance specifications
  • Recycled irrigation water use – effects on plants and mitigation measures
  • Development of educational materials & presentations

Landscape Contractors:

  • Plant problem diagnosis & recommendations
  • Tree surveys and arborist reports
  • Tree protection specification development & supervision (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Development of plant lists for difficult sites
  • Inspection and selection of plant materials at the nursery or job site prior to installation
  • Landscape maintenance specifications
  • Recycled irrigation water use – effects on plants and mitigation measures

Property Managers:

  • Landscape plant problem diagnosis and recommendations
  • Landscape maintenance specifications
  • Tree risk analysis, prioritization and management plans
  • Tree surveys and arborist reports for:
    • Long-term tree management plans (planting, maintenance, budget development.)
    • Tree risk analysis and prioritization for removal or remedial work
    • City-required arborist reports including tree protection specifications
    • Supervision and documentation of tree protection before, during and after construction
  • RFP development for landscape work, work specifications, bid management & analysis & work supervision
  • Custom plant list development for the site
  • Investigations and reports for legal cases concerning trees or other vegetation
  • Utilization of recycled irrigation water, effect on plants and mitigation measures
  • Development of educational materials and presentations for homeowner associations and other groups

Planning, Parks & Public Works Depts. of City County and State:

  • Tree surveys and arborist reports
  • Review of arborist reports and tree protection plans prepared by others
  • Developing standards, specifications and forms for tree surveys & arborist reports in your county
  • Tree protection specification development (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Supervision and documentation of tree protection on construction sites
  • Tree risk analysis, prioritization and management plans
  • Tree problem diagnosis and recommendations

Realtors:

  • Tree evaluation and arborist reports for:
    • Tree condition, risk and preservation suitability on the site – prioritized
    • Tree removal permit applications
    • Long-term tree management plans (maintenance of existing trees, planting of new trees, budgeting of work)
    • Tree Protection Specifications before, during and after construction -- and supervision of this work
  • Landscape plant problem diagnosis and recommendations
  • Landscape maintenance specifications
  • RFP development for landscape work, work specifications, bid management & analysis & work supervision
  • Custom plant list development for the site
  • Investigations and reports for legal cases concerning trees or other vegetation

Water Districts:

  • Recycled irrigation water use – effects on plants and mitigation measures
  • Development and review of plant lists for specific sites using or that will use recycled irrigation water
  • Evaluation of sites prior to recycled irrigation water use
  • Best Management Practices Development
  • General plant problem diagnosis & recommendations
  • Landscape maintenance specifications
  • Development of educational materials & presentations
  • Arborist Services including:
  • Tree surveys and arborist reports
  • Tree protection specification development & supervision (for existing trees on construction sites)
  • Tree risk evaluation and prioritized management plans