Professional Arborist Reports

Most Bay Area cities require an arborist report when removing a protected or heritage tree. Cities like Palo Alto, Oakland, Atherton, Los Gatos, and San Francisco have strict ordinances that mandate a written assessment from an ISA Certified Arborist before granting removal permits. The report documents the tree's health, structural condition, and whether removal is justified. Check your city's requirements on our Permit Checker tool.

Standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days from the on-site inspection. Risk assessments and second opinions can sometimes be completed in 1 to 2 business days. Construction impact evaluations typically take 5 to 7 business days due to additional site analysis. Rush service is available for active real estate transactions and permit deadlines.

A professional arborist report includes tree species identification, trunk diameter measurements, health and structural condition assessment, site and soil conditions, photographic documentation, risk rating (if applicable), specific recommendations for care or mitigation, and the arborist's ISA credentials and signature. Reports are formatted to meet municipal requirements for permits and accepted by insurers and courts.

A tree risk assessment focuses specifically on evaluating a tree's likelihood of failure and the potential consequences. It follows ISA tree risk assessment methodology and results in a risk rating. An arborist report is a broader document that can cover health, species identification, recommended care, permit justification, or construction impacts. A risk assessment can be part of an arborist report, but they serve different purposes. Not sure which you need? Call and we will help you determine the right scope.

Yes. An arborist report provides objective, professional documentation of a tree's condition, ownership responsibility, and risk level. This documentation is useful for neighbor disputes involving overhanging branches, root damage, falling debris, or liability concerns. Reports carry weight in mediation and court proceedings. Expert witness testimony is available at $250 per hour if litigation is involved.

Many Bay Area cities require a tree protection plan when construction occurs within the drip line or root zone of protected trees. A construction impact evaluation documents which trees are affected, recommends protective measures like root barriers and canopy setbacks, and outlines monitoring during construction. This report is often required before a building permit is issued.

Yes. Insurance companies accept arborist reports from ISA Certified Arborists for storm damage claims, pre-loss assessments, liability evaluations, and policy documentation. The report provides the professional documentation insurers require to process claims or evaluate coverage. Having a report prepared before filing a claim strengthens your position.

We serve 35 cities across 6 Bay Area regions: Peninsula cities including Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Redwood City, San Mateo, Burlingame, and Woodside; South Bay cities including San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Cupertino, and Los Gatos; East Bay cities including Berkeley, Oakland, Fremont, and Piedmont; Contra Costa County including Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Danville, and Orinda; Marin County including Mill Valley, San Rafael, and Tiburon; and San Francisco. See our full city list.

Yes. If you let the arborist know all intended uses upfront, a single report can often serve multiple purposes simultaneously — for example, covering both a permit application and a real estate disclosure. This saves money compared to commissioning separate reports for each purpose.

Call (415) 881-0124 or complete the request form below. Describe your situation and the purpose of the report. You will receive a scope and fee estimate within 4 hours on business days. After approval, an on-site inspection is scheduled and the written report is delivered within the agreed turnaround time.