Why Hire a Consulting Arborist?

A consulting arborist is to your trees what a home inspector is to your house — an unbiased expert whose only job is to tell you what's really going on.

Here's when paying for an inspection actually pays you back.

Before buying property. Mature trees can add — or subtract — tens of thousands of dollars from a property's value. A pre-purchase arborist report flags hidden hazards, expensive removals, and protected species you'll need to work around.

Before construction. Roots extend far past the drip line. Trenching, grading, or compacting soil during a build can silently kill trees that won't show damage for years. We mark protection zones and consult with your builder.

After storm damage. An arborist can assess whether a damaged tree can be saved with cable bracing and pruning — or whether it has to come down.

For HOA, neighbor, or city disputes. A written, signed arborist report carries weight in mediation and permitting decisions.

For high-value trees. A 150-year-old big-leaf maple deserves an expert opinion before anyone takes a chainsaw to it.

Cloudy Sky offers consulting arborist visits across Western Washington — separately from any removal or pruning work, so the advice is genuinely independent.