How much does a consulting arborist cost in El Dorado County?

Consulting arborist assessments at Sierra Tree and Fungi start at $299 and include a written report. Fees vary depending on the number of trees, site complexity, and type of report needed (risk assessment, ORMP, insurance, or legal documentation). Call (530) 391-6100 for a fee estimate.

What is the difference between a consulting arborist and a tree service?

A consulting arborist assesses, diagnoses, and provides written reports — but does not prune, remove, or spray trees. Because consulting arborists have no removal crews or equipment to keep busy, their recommendations are conflict-free. A tree service performs physical tree work like pruning, removal, and stump grinding. Hiring a consulting arborist first gives you an independent opinion before committing to expensive tree work.

Do I need an arborist report for a building permit in El Dorado County?

Yes, if your project is near native oak trees. El Dorado County's Oak Resources Management Plan Ordinance requires an Oak Resource Management Plan (ORMP) signed by an ISA Certified Arborist for grading or building permits that could affect native oaks with a trunk diameter of 5 inches DBH or greater. Without an approved ORMP, permits can be delayed or denied.

What qualifications should a consulting arborist have?

Look for an ISA Certified Arborist at minimum. For tree risk assessments, the arborist should hold the TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) from the International Society of Arboriculture. Christopher Hodge at Sierra Tree and Fungi holds ISA Certification (WE-14385A), TRAQ Qualification, a California Pesticide Applicator License, and TCIA Plant Healthcare Technician credentials.

What areas do you serve in El Dorado County?

Sierra Tree and Fungi serves all of El Dorado County including Placerville, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Rescue, Folsom (El Dorado County side), El Dorado, Diamond Springs, Pollock Pines, Georgetown, and the Highway 50 corridor into the Sierra foothills. We also serve portions of Amador, Sacramento, and Placer counties.

Independent Consulting Arborist El Dorado County, CA

Most tree companies make money when trees come down. We don’t.

Sierra Tree and Fungi is a conflict-free consulting arborist practice serving homeowners, property managers, and HOAs throughout El Dorado County. We have no removal crews, no equipment to keep busy, and no financial incentive to recommend work your trees don’t need. Our only product is an honest, written assessment and advice you can actually act on.

What a Consulting Arborist Actually Does

A consulting arborist is different from a tree service. We assess, diagnose, and report. We don’t prune, remove, or spray — which means every recommendation we make is based solely on what’s right for your trees and your property.

My work stands apart from the average arborist in that I have over 15 years experience studying fungal taxonomy and forest ecology. I serve not only property owners, but my fellow arborist, to help them understand the role of fungi and tree health better so we all can care for trees better. From sustainable landscape care to not disrupt crucial mycorrhizal partnerships, to properly identifying fungal fruiting bodies for accurate diagnosis, to better understanding different type of fungal decay mechanism in trees and how that affects a risk assessment. I believe my job as a professional arborist is to raise the bar of knowledge for both homeowners and fellow arborists, so we all can live better, trees included.

A written arborist report for a permit, insurance claim, or legal matter

An independent assessment of tree risk on a property they’re buying or selling

A diagnosis of disease, pest damage, or unexplained decline

An Oak Resource Management Plan for El Dorado County building permits

Your Arborist’s Credentials

Christopher Hodge holds credentials that most tree services in the region don’t carry:

ISA Certified Arborist WE-14385A — the industry’s primary professional credential

TRAQ Qualified — Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, the ISA standard for formal risk assessment

Licensed Pesticide Applicator — California DPR licensed for targeted plant healthcare

TCIA Plant Healthcare Technician — specialized training in tree disease and pest diagnosis

15 years of volunteering in community science led mushroom identification programs

This combination of credentials means you receive a defensible, documented assessment — not a verbal opinion from a crew foreman.

Service Area

We serve all of El Dorado County, including El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Rescue, Folsom (EDC side), El Dorado, Diamond Springs, Placerville, Pollock Pines, and the Highway 50 corridor into the Sierra foothills.

Get a Written Assessment

Assessments start at $299 and include a written report you can use for permits, insurance, legal proceedings, or contractor negotiations. Call or text (530) 391-6100 to schedule, or use the contact form below.

A young girl in a purple dress standing at the base of a large pine tree in a forest, touching the tree with both hands, surrounded by many other tall trees and greenery, with a blue sky and some white clouds overhead.

Assessments start at $299 and include a written report. Final cost depends on the number of trees, site complexity, and the type of report you need — whether it's a risk assessment, an Oak Resource Management Plan, or documentation for insurance or legal proceedings. Call (530) 391-6100 for a fee estimate before scheduling.
Assessments start at $299 and include a written report. Final cost depends on the number of trees, site complexity, and the type of report you need — whether it's a risk assessment, an Oak Resource Management Plan Report, or documentation for insurance or legal proceedings. Call (530) 391-6100 for a fee estimate before scheduling
DescriptioA consulting arborist assesses, diagnoses, and provides written reports — but does not prune, remove, or spray trees. Because we have no removal crews or equipment to keep busy, every recommendation is conflict-free and based solely on what your trees actually need. A tree service performs the physical work: pruning, removal, stump grinding. Hiring a consulting arborist first gives you an independent opinion before committing to expensive tree work — the same way you'd get a second medical opinion before surgery.n text goes here
If your project is anywhere near native oak trees and at or below 4,000ft elevation, yes. El Dorado County's Oak Resources Management Plan Ordinance requires an Oak Resource Management Plan (ORMP) Reports signed by an ISA Certified Arborist for grading or building permits that could affect native oaks with a trunk diameter of 5 inches DBH or greater. Without an approved ORMP Report, your permit can be delayed or denied. We prepare ORMP reports specifically for El Dorado County's requirements and know what county reviewers are looking for.