Bring a location description, a history of the concern, and the decision you need help making to an arborist consultation. Those records can make the discussion more focused without asking you to diagnose a tree yourself.
TreesAreGood, an International Society of Arboriculture resource, provides public tree-care information and guidance on finding professional help. Its arborist guidance is a useful starting point when deciding what kind of assessment to request.
Start with the question you need answered
Write a specific question such as, “What should we understand before planning work near this tree?” or “What assessment would help us decide how to address this concern?” Keep your desired outcome separate from an assumed solution such as removal or pruning.
Describe the tree’s location using familiar landmarks on the property. If ownership, a property boundary, or the responsible public agency is uncertain, record that as an unresolved question. A tree-care opinion does not settle ownership or grant permission to work.
Prepare a short timeline
List changes you have noticed and approximately when they appeared. Add known prior work, construction activity, or records from an earlier assessment. Use “unknown” when you do not have a reliable date or history.
Only use photographs you already have or can take from a safe, ordinary ground-level location. Do not approach a suspect tree, climb, move damaged material, or enter an area near utility lines to improve a picture. A photograph alone cannot establish that a tree is safe.
Ask what the written findings will include
Before the appointment, clarify the scope: what will be assessed, what remains outside the assessment, and what written documentation you will receive. Ask how recommendations, limitations, and any follow-up should be recorded.
Keep the resulting report with your timeline. If another professional becomes involved, the history and stated limits are more useful than a secondhand summary that drops the uncertainty.
Sources checked September 24, 2026. Property-specific findings require an appropriate professional assessment.
Related reading: Tree Removal Permit Office Directory for Snohomish County and King County.
Information can change. Check linked sources for current restrictions, permits, and local guidance.
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