Forest Management Inventory Appraisal Arboriculture Mapping and GIS

Tree and Plant Inventories
INFO staff conducts tree and understory plant inventories to assess the health of urban green spaces. A typical project might include mapping and assessing forest condition as well as locating sensitive areas, threatened species, and invasive plants. This information can then be used to develop a management plan and to prioritize threatened areas for remediation.

Tree Valuation
Trees have value. We look at all aspects of tree value, including income from timber product values, cost of replacement, corrective action, and amenity values. Issues include trespass resolution, insurance claims, and natural disasters.

Tree Hazard Diagnosis
Weakened and diseased trees can be a hazard to surrounding property and life. We examine the whole tree, looking for indicators of disease, insects, and stress to assess the stability of the tree. Environmental changes are considered as well as public regulation.

Trees and Construction Issues
Trees can enhance or encumber construction projects. We review construction plans with an eye toward expected and unexpected results of tree retention and removal. We are qualified to conduct tree inventories both before and after construction.

Trees and the Environment
Planting the right trees in the right locations enhances the environment. It is critical to select the best tree species, size, and placement for any given site. We prepare re-vegetation plans based on soils, shading, slopes, water, and aesthetics.

• Northwest trees are shallow rooted and do not have "tap roots".
• When digging or filling around trees, try to avoid the roots by staying outside of the "drip line".
• When clearing around trees, remember they stand with their neighbors. You may be reducing their resistance to strong winds.
• Try to avoid changing the grade or drainage around trees.
• "Topping" is rarely a good solution to any tree problem, as it can cause structural weakness and future problems.

• Yellowing leaves and needles
• Excessive cone ar seed crops
• Thinning crowns
• Splits in the bark
• "Shiny" or "flat" bark
• Mushrooms or fungus "shelves"
• Soil upheaving
• Leaning stems