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 new construction.
Your Arborist’s Credentials
Christopher Hodge holds the International Society of Arboriculture's highest credential, the Board Certified Master Arborist, which most tree services and even most certified arborists in the region do not carry:
- ISA Board Certified Master Arborist WE-14385B, the industry’s top professional credential
- TRAQ Qualified, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, the ISA standard for formal risk assessment
- California Qualified Applicator License, DPR licensed for targeted plant health care
- TCIA Plant Health Care 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.
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. We also Serve Sacramento, Placer, and Amador County.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a consulting arborist cost in El Dorado County?
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.
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 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.
Do I need an arborist report for a building permit in El Dorado County?
If your project is anywhere near native oak trees and at or below 4,000ft elevation, yes. El Dorado County's Oak Resources Conservation 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.