Saving the Giant Sequoia Forest

Posted on June 13, 2023 by landscapeexpert

For several years, climate change and drought created conditions for uncontrolled California wildfires. These wildfires burned with such intensity, several Giant Sequoia, (Sequoiadendron giganteum), forests were heavily damaged. We have lost approximately 20% of the entire species, over 10,000 Giant Sequoias have been destroyed the past three years alone.

Although these magnificent trees are fire adapted, with an incredibly thick outer bark protecting the cambium within, the recent fires burned with such incredible intensity scores of trees were incinerated. Another fire adaptation are the Sequoia cones that normally open after a fire, distributing thousands of seeds that germinate and replenish the burned groves. Yet the fires were so hot, even the cones were destroyed, so the trees produced no new seedlings.

All of the groves are located in a relatively small band on the western slope of the southern Sierra range. Due to climate change, the southern Sierra range has become a dryer environment, very different than 2,000 years ago when these magnificent trees first germinated. As the forest regenerates, shrubs, fir, and cedar have replaced the Sequoias.

Sequoia seedlings require a lot of water to germinate and grow into juvenile trees. The hotter, drier climate and competition with other less favorable species, reduces Sequoia germination and ultimately, the survival of the species. Imagine Sequoia National Park without any Sequoia trees. Your kids and grandchildren might end up never being able to visit and enjoy these incredible trees. My father took me to the park when I was a child. My love for this species influenced my decision to study horticulture, eventually making my profession, first as a landscape contractor, later as a consultant and expert witness as certified and registered consulting arborist.

Fortunately, the Save the Redwoods League has teamed with the US Forest Service and National Park Service undertaking replanting thousands of redwood seedlings throughout several burned forest areas. The goal is to reestablish groves that can be managed to become fire resistant again. It is a massive undertaking, that has never been tried before. While the odds of any seedling becoming a massive, thousand year old monarch are depressingly low, (one in 10 billion), it is the morally right undertaking for mankind. Without restoration, the redwood groves will convert to shrub lands, a sad ending for the official state tree of California.

Read about the restoration efforts in this article from the Los Angeles Times.https://landscapeexpertwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Los-Angeles-Times-eNewspaper.pdf

Why Attorneys Hire an Arborist Expert Witness

Posted on February 3, 2022 by landscapeexpert

Whether an attorney represents a plaintiff or defendant, they hire an expert who will provide compelling testimony to support their client. Sometimes, multiple experts from a variety of disciplines may be required. When should an attorney consider hiring a certified or registered consulting arborist as an expert witness?

Living with trees implies accepting a certain amount of risk in exchange for the wonderful benefits trees provide. While the risk of a tree limb or whole tree failure resulting in a fatal injury is low, hazards caused by trees that result in personal injury or property damage lawsuits are not uncommon.

Tree species and proximity to infrastructure may be a factor in accidents with personal injury or property damage. Tree roots seek out moisture regardless of their location. Structural roots emanate from the trunk to the edge of the crown, also known as the drip line, then small moisture absorbing root grow far beyond. Tree root systems may grow 1.5 times the tree crown diameter.

Trip, Slip and Fall Accidents

In the urban environment, tree proximity to hardscape may result in roots growing beneath concrete sidewalks and paved streets while seeking moisture. Roots will grow into adjacent water meters and sewer laterals, especially older leaking, permeable infrastructure. Once established beneath a paved surface, a root continues growing, over time enlarging in diameter.

Over time, these surfaces may begin to lift along the crack or expansion joint. Adjacent sidewalk panels may lift several inches, resulting in a hazardous condition for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Uplifted sidewalk panels resulted in bicyclist personal injury lawsuit

After sidewalk was removed, large structural roots were observed beneath the sidewalk.

Multiple roots damaged the sidewalk, created the hazardous condition and resultant accident.

Eventually root enlargement lifts concrete infrastructure, including water meter boxes and sidewalks. Cracks may develop across a sidewalk panel, in my experience, most concrete sidewalk uplifts occur along an expansion joint.

In their pursuit of moisture, roots from neighboring trees ignore property lines. They can grow beneath garage slabs and foundations, especially in situations where there has been a water or sewer leak beneath the slab. Moisture discharged beneath slabs, footing and foundations create an attractive environment for root development.

Neighbor’s Ficus tree root grew beneath their garage slab, resulting in property damage lawsuit.

Roots suspected of lifting sidewalk panels and water meter box that resulted in personal injury lawsuit.

After sidewalk was removed, large roots observed growing around the water leaking water meter.

Installing street trees within small concrete confined planters is an invitation for root damaging infra-structure. Leaking water meters, fittings and sewer connections increase soil moisture, an invitation for root growth.

A root penetrating a leaking sewer lateral or potable water meter pipe or fitting will quickly establish a mass of roots within and surrounding the pipe. Root growth may continue from the sewer lateral into the public sewer main. Over time, the root growth may block or cause a sewer back up to neighboring properties.

Roots deform a sewer lateral beneath garage slab.

Section of removed sewer lateral filled with roots.

Improperly designed, installed or maintained sprinkler systems may result in over-spraying paved pedestrian sidewalks. Regardless of cause, their is no reason to allow sprinklers to over-spray onto paved surfaces, it wastes a vital resource while creating an obvious slip and fall hazard.

Park sprinklers over-spraying a public sidewalk, resulted in a personal injury lawsuit.

Tree failures and forensic tree risk assessment

Tree limb and whole tree failures may result in personal injury and property damage lawsuits. Whole tree failures may occur due to loss of load bearing structural roots, whether due to root rot disease, construction impacts, mechanical root damage, or soil failure. Limb drops may occur for a variety of known reasons, typically the failure occurs during a weather event. Sometimes, a tree will drop a limb for unknown reasons, referred to as sudden or summer limb drop. Stems may contain defects such as cankers, decay, and cracks that may be predisposed to failure when enough force exceeds the wood carrying capacity. Forensic tree risk assessment may determine why the tree failed and whether the defects were open and obvious.

Stem failure resulted in personal injury and property damage lawsuit.

Tree and landscape appraisal for fire damage, trespass and vandalism

California has suffered countless wildfires the past two decades, resulting in substantial property damage. Tree appraisal for loss due to fire may be an important aspect in legal cases, especially when several major utilities are under scrutiny for causing wildfires.

The same holds true for tree loss or diminution in value due to trespass and vandalism. You may love your tree, but your neighbor may not. Neighbors frequently engage in tree disputes, sometimes resulting in trespass and vandalized trees. You may love your tree, but your neighbor may not.

Avocado groove scorched from wildfire in Fallbrook. Appraisal performed for insurance and tax purposes.

Oak tree property damage claim due to Thomas fire.

Tree and landscape appraisal for property damage lawsuit caused by Thomas fire mudslide.

Palm tree nursery burned due to vandalism, appraised palm value for property damage lawsuit.

Bamboo hedge poisoned by neighbor, property damage lawsuit.

Tree loss due to neighbors pruning, resulting in property loss lawsuit.

Arboriculture standard of care

Tree service contractors may become involved in a lawsuit for failing to satisfy the industry standard of care. When a tree failure occurs, the landscape maintenance or tree care contractor may find themselves as defendants in a lawsuit. A plaintiff may contend the landscaper or tree care company should have known the tree had defects but was the contractor responsible for risk assessment?

A C-27 landscape contractor may not be a certified arborist or provide arboricultural tree care, certified arborist may not be a trained or knowledgeable of Tree Risk Assessor Qualified, (TRAQ).

To determine a contractor’s standard of care, I examine their membership in industry associations such as the California Landscape Contractor Association, (CLCA), the International Society of Arboriculture, (ISA), the American Society of Consulting Arborists, (ASCA), and Professional Tree Care Association. I determine whether the certified arborist and tree care professionals adhere to the American National Standards Institute, (ANSI) A300 arboriculture standard practices and Z133 safety requirements. I check their standing on the California State Licensing Board.

In summary, personal experience, education and training are essential qualifications an attorney looks when selecting an arborist expert witness. Having expertise in multiple disciplines is an added benefit. My qualifications as a professional horticulturist, a C-27 landscape contractor, a certified arborist, registered consulting arborist and tree risk assessor qualified and land development manager enable me to opine on a broad array of landscape, tree, plant and land development issues.

Trees for Tomorrow Start Today’ Workshop

Posted on March 1, 2021 by landscapeexpert

Hello, this is Jeremy Rappoport, president of Rappoport Development Consulting Services LLC (RDCS). The workshop goal is to increase tree health and reduce impacts of urban heat islands by properly selecting and caring for trees today to ensure a greener tomorrow. The workshop is sponsored through the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

As an experienced legal expert witness, I consult for defendant and plaintiff attorneys and insurers in the fields of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape and land development. My credentials as a certified arborist, registered consulting arborist, tree risk assessor qualified (TRAQ), C-27 landscape contractor, and B.S. in ornamental horticulture enable me to opine on relevant legal cases.

My presentation, ‘Are Your Trees Safe?’ focuses on legal cases involving roots lifting sidewalks creating trip and fall hazards, root, limb and trunk failures, and the forensic application of tree risk assessment. I will propose solutions to reduce tree potential tree risk during the design / development process for planners, landscape architects, civil engineers and government agencies and how to reduce current tree risk before the a defect results in a accident and resultant lawsuit.

The ‘Trees for Tomorrow Start Today’ Workshop also features ‘Working Together Across Professions ‘Success Stories’, presented by several distinguished speakers, followed by roundtable discussions. The workshop is scheduled on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 via Zoom. Click here for the registration link.

Finally, A Turf Block Driveway With Thriving Turf!

Posted on June 23, 2020 by landscapeexpert

Rarely have I seen a successful turf block driveway. Turf block, turf stone, turf pavers are systems installed as living turf driveway alternatives. The material provides structural support via plastic or concrete cells that are filled with a soil media for turf installation. The block is designed to support vehicular traffic on driveways while providing a green alternative to concrete or asphalt driveways.

Turf blocks have been used for decades, but rarely have I seen thriving turf grass within the block. Not because of the product, but usually due to turf establishment and failure issues. Due to reduced soil root area, soil compaction, irrigation infiltration and damaged soil structure result in poor turf establishment. Soil preparation, drainage and proper irrigation coverage and operation are required to grow turf inside of a turf block system.

Lastly, using vigorous, warm season turf grasses that spread by horizontal solons, rhizomes, and rooting improves the successful establishment of turf grass, such as the Tiff hybrid Bermuda grasses developed for sports fields. Cool season turfs including rye, bluegrass and turf type fescues are clumping turfs that do not spread horizontally, thereby limiting establishment and healthy growth. Cool season grasses are more susceptible to leaf and soil borne diseases, are easily stressed during hot summer months, nor are they tolerant of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and compaction conditions.

Tiff hybrid Bermuda is well established within the turf block

A Horticulturists Local Neighborhood Walk

Posted on May 13, 2020 by landscapeexpert

I took my usual walk through local neighborhoods surrounding Balboa Park in San Diego. A glorious spring day, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beautiful ornamental landscape trees, shrubs and vines in bloom everywhere! Very uplifting, glad plants are not affected by the virus!

Arborist Online Learning Opportunities in the Covid Era

Posted on May 12, 2020 by landscapeexpert

In a recent blog, I discussed using online media for a site online site inspection involving a Torrey pine tree root conflict with adjacent asphalt paving. That marked the first time I used an online media tool rather than being physically present at the site. My client and I used Facetime to conduct the real time inspection.

As the restrictions ease, I believe the use of online media such as Zoom, Hangouts, Facetime etc will increase. I have already presented this concept to a legal client in Northern California concerning an irrigation inspection. Do I really need to fly from San Diego to San Francisco, rent a car, drive to the site, observe irrigation defects, then reverse the process returning home or, can I watch the inspection over the web? The level of scrutiny required depends on the individual case.

A slide from Dr. Smiley’s presentation

Like so many other industries, the tree industry is rapidly adapting to the new Covid – 19 reality. Today, I attended an online Zoom seminar titled Sidewalks, Urban Plazas and Tree Roots. This seminar was presented through the ISA Southern Extension. I believe it was originally going to be part of a “normal” ISA Southern Association Annual meeting that was cancelled due to Covid.

The online presentation occurred through Zoom with over 1000 arborists throughout the U.S. and other countries attending. The topic concerned tree roots damaging sidewalks, presented by Dr. Thomas Smiley. Once a few technical glitches were adjusted, the presentation was almost identical to what I had experienced attending many seminars.

The slides presented alongside the audio streaming from Dr. Smiley was easy to view. I became immersed in the content and found myself taking pics of some of the slides. The topic provided test data results using different techniques designed to reduce root intrusion beneath sidewalks.

Incorporating root growth inhibitor practices

The presentation lasted an hour, same amount of time I’m accustomed to when attending a seminar. Although I already knew a great deal about the topic, I still came away with new information for use in my practice, including a great specification detail incorporating multiple root growth inhibitor practices that may reduce sidewalk damage due to roots.

In the past month, I’ve been able to continue my consulting practice from my home office. I’ll continue to utilize more online media tools, whether for learning, conducting site inspection work, and client meetings. I believe these new opportunities are one of the (few) beneficial results from the Covid-19 virus.

I recently provided a client with a proposal to develop landscape maintenance specifications for commercial properties located in several different climatic regions. The proposal did not include any site visits. All data collection would occur online through various means. Using online data collection versus conducting multiple site visits saved the client thousands of dollars.

I’m looking forward to these new opportunities utilizing online media sources as potential replacement for physical presence. Hopefully it will prove an efficient, effective, cost saving technique without sacrificing product accuracy.

Online Site Inspections with Corona Virus: A New Paradigm?

Posted on April 24, 2020 by landscapeexpert

The corona virus and resulting stay at home order has prevented me from scheduling or attending site inspections. I require site inspection for most forms of consulting work, including as a consulting arborist or expert witness.

Tree failures, health and risk assessment
Tree inventories
Tree and nursery appraisals
Tree roots and infrastructure damage.
Landscape appurtenances creating trip and fall hazard.
Obscured landscape hazards, grade changes
Irrigation operation, maintenance issues

A client wanted me to attend and observe asphalt paving taking place adjacent to an 80 year old Torrey Pine. I had previously consulted on preserving this tree during construction on an adjacent property. The client was repaving his driveway on the alley, the pine is right on the edge of the paving.

Due to California stay at home orders, I informed the client I could not be present to observe the paving to make recommendations, so we used the Facetime app and did an online site observation whereby I watched in real time as the work was being performed. I was able to give the client recommendations in real time.

Moistened towel protect surface roots

He was concerned about root damage, and rightly so. Some of large buttress roots would be impacted by the paving. Instead of cutting, I recommended covering the roots with wet towels, fabric etc, then placing moistened sand base, then pave over the roots.

Moistened sand placed over protected roots

As terrible as it is, the corona virus has created many new ways for industries to re-invent how they do their business. This was the first time I have attempted on online site inspection and it worked! This may not be applicable for the types of investigations I perform, but there is a great new tool I can use for certain types of investigations during stay at home and even beyond.

Asphalt paving over protected roots

The financial savings for the client are obvious. Travel costs for me to travel to Los Angeles, Orange or Inland Empire typically range from $500 to $1000 or more if hotel stay is required.

Not all inspections can be performed remotely. Forensic investigations that require measurements, excavations, sampling, testing etc may not be applicable.

Since this is new to me, it will take some real time client cases for me to determine how and when I can utilize this new tool.

RDCS LLC Hired as Consulting Arborist by PCL Construction for UCSD Triton Pavilion Project

Posted on August 26, 2019 by landscapeexpert

PCL Construction, is the general contractor managing the Triton Pavilion project at UC San Diego. PCL Triton Pavilion. The Triton Pavilion project includes developing a new, large student center and be a future major stop for the San Diego trolley Blue Line. The trolley Blue line expansion to be completed in 2021 will connect downtown San Diego to University City. Union Tribune Article

To determine how to manage existing campus trees in conflict with future construction, PCL hired Rappoport Development Consulting Services LLC as a sub-consultant providing arboricultural consulting services. Mr. Jeremy Rappoport, President of RDCS, will assess and tag all the project trees and develop a tree inventory. The inventory will identify the tree, trunk diameter, crown height, quantity, structure and health condition. These metrics will assist in determining tree retention, protection, and relocation.

RDCS founder Jeremy Rappoport is an ISA certified arborist, tree risk assessor qualified, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist (RCS #564), C-27 California Landscape Contractor #436000 and a professional horticulturist. RDCS LLC provides arboriculture, landscape, horticulture and land development consulting services for civil engineers, landscape architects, prime contractors, municipalities, HOA’s, commercial and residential property owners and expert witness litigation and support services for plaintiff and defendant attorneys and insurers.

Tree, Plant and Landscape Appraisals for Damages Caused by California Wildfires

Posted on December 3, 2018 by landscapeexpert

The Woolsey Fire

Once again, Californian’s throughout the state continue to suffer devastating losses due to wildfires. From the southland to northern California and the foothills of the sierra’s, the Woolsey, Camp, Hill and seemingly countless other fires have ravaged our state. From October through December, Santa Ana winds fan destructive blazes that grow in size with each passing year.

During recovery efforts, insurers and attorneys require a tree or landscape appraisal to settle a client claim. In the past year, RDCS provided appraisals for damages caused by the Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the Lilac fire in San Diego North county, the Liberty fire in Riverside County, Pocket fire in Geyserville, and the Erskine fire in Lake Isabella.

I recently published an article on the importance of specialized tree and plant appraisers for determining the cost and value of fire damaged trees, plants and landscape. Read the article Fire Damage & Tree Appraisal.

The Benefits of the ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards for Tree Related Lawsuits

Posted on January 18, 2018 by landscapeexpert

Guy + Chainsaw – Tree = Potential Lawsuit vs
ANSI A300 Tree Care Performance Standards

Does he know what he is doing?

Background

Tree care professionals contracting for services are frequently members of the Tree Care Industry Association, (TCIA). The International Society of Arboriculture, (ISA), administers various types of arborist certification programs, including certified arborist or certified tree worker climber. The American Society of Consulting Arborist offers arborists training and testing to become a registered consulting arborist, (RCA). These associations provide industry standards and best management practices for members to adopt into in their own practice.

Personal protective clothing, ropes, saddle etc.

In California, C-27 landscape contractors and D-49 tree service contractors are licensed by the state, both can legally perform tree care service. Prior to 1991, various industry associations, contractors and practitioners followed their own standards for tree care.

The industry recognized the need for a standardized, scientific approach and agreed to develop an official American National Standard, resulting in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Tree Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management Operations – Standard Practices.

They are voluntary industry consensus standards developed by TCIA and written by the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) A300, whose mission is to develop consensus performance standards based on current research and sound practices for writing specifications to manage trees, shrubs, and other woody plants.

The ISA and ASCA are members of the ASC and their member practices should conform to the ANSI A300 tree care performance standards. The standards “apply to professionals who provide for, or supervise the management of trees, shrubs, and other woodsy landscape plants. Intended users include businesses, government agencies, property owners, property managers and utilities.” Many municipalities have adopted the ANSI A300 performance standards as part of their tree and landscape maintenance ordinance. The A300 standards are separated into 10 parts based on the tree care practice.

ANSI A300 Performance Standards for Legal Conflict Support

Arboriculture professionals adhere to the ANSI A300 performance standards for developing specifications for tree care. Gardeners, landscapers, designers, and handy men are not certified arborists and rarely have knowledge of industry standards. Even licensed landscape architects, civil engineers, general and landscape contractors may not be familiar with or have knowledge of the A300 standards. Ignorance of the standards is not a legal excuse for violating or ingnoring the standards.

The standards are separated into ten different parts. Through case experience, I have found three of the ANSI A300 standards applicable for plaintiff or defendant tree related legal actions. In conflicts I’ve been involved with, the civil engineer, landscape architects, general contractor, landscape and sub-contractors and even licensed tree care companies were not aware of the A300 standards. In some instances, industry professionals were aware of the standards but failed to adhere to the them.

Without proper planning and management, construction and development projects adjacent to existing trees commonly damage tree roots, trunks and limbs, increasing the risk of a potential tree failure and resultant lawsuit. ANSI A300 (Part 5) Standard Practices (Management of Trees and Shrubs During Site Planning, Site Development, and Construction) is the recognized industry standard for managing trees during construction and is the focus of this discussion.

The A300 Part 5 Performance Standard is intended for use for industry professionals, including all levels of government agencies, private entities including commercial, industrial and residential property owners and managers, engineers, architects and utilities for developing written specifications. The standards apply to any person or entity engaged in the management of trees, shrubs or other woody plants.

ANSI A300 Part 5 standard

Without specifications for tree protection during construction and development, tree injuries occur. Depending on the severity of the injury, the defect may degrade the structural integrity of the tree. Over time, the injury may continue to decay, increasing the risk of failure and resultant damage to people and or property. The reason for the standard is to assess the level of risk and to provide information for risk mitigation.

Civil engineers, landscape architects and other professionals responsible for developing plans and specifications should be aware of the A300 standards. These professionals may not have the tree knowledge expertise, which is why the standard refers professionals to use a certified arborist qualified in tree management during site planning, development and construction.

The standard discusses implementation procedures that should be designed by a professional arborist including:
• Tree management plans in compliance with applicable ordinances and standards.
• Decision making should be based on the knowledge of health and safety of the tree resources present.
• Prime consultant and contractor should involve the arborist in the initial planning phases.
• Arborist site monitoring during construction should be specified to ensure compliance with plan requirement.
• Monitoring specifications should address demolition, grading, vertical construction, walks and pathways, playgrounds, excavations, trenching, drainage systems, and landscape.

For safety, the standard requires only arborists familiar with the standards, practices and hazards of arboriculture shall perform tree management. One of the objectives of the standard it to avoid damaging trees during construction; including damage caused by physical contact, grade changes and soil compaction. To achieve the defined objectives on any project, the arborist should be involved in the management of trees during all five phases of development including:
• Planning
• Design
• Pre-construction
• Construction
• Post-construction

Development and construction projects are complex, requiring planning and coordination among project shareholders. The prime consultant and or contractor should maintain arborist involvement throughout the various phases of the project in conjunction with the arborist developing specifications, resource assessment, conservation plans, monitoring and recommendations. The TCIA website has an exhibit of a Tree management plan flow chart defining what should occur during the development phases, arborist responsibility and development activity.

How the A300 Standard Applies in a Legal Context

The standard applies to all design and planning professionals such as civil engineers and landscape architects. These firms usually work as prime consultants and are responsible for producing the plans and specifications for development projects. They are responsible for knowing and adhering to the A300 performance standards. The same applies to prime contractors and their sub-contractors, and other project stakeholders.

Failing adherence to the A300 standards renders prime consultant(s), general and sub-consultants potentially liable if a tree related accident occurs. I used the A300 standard in a case involving a tree limb that fell from a tree onto an adjacent tot-lot.

A city decided to build a park within a former old growth forest. A civil engineer and landscape architect developed plans and specifications, including a grading plan with notes and a detail for tree protection. The general contractor, grading, and recreation equipment sub-contractors constructed the park. The design included a tot-lot with children play equipment built where trees were removed, with old, construction damaged trees remaining left intact at the edge of the tot-lot.

A few days after the park opened, a tree limb dropped onto the tot-lot, striking and killing a young child seated on a piece of play equipment. The parents sued the city, the design consultants and all the contractors because the defendants did not observe the city tree ordinance. The city ordinance adopted the A300 tree care standards as part of their tree ordinance, which the defendants ignored, arguing the standard did not apply to their trade(s). After extensive deposition testimony, using the standards in support of the Plaintiffs (parents of the deceased child), all the defendants settled rather than proceeding with a trial.

In another case, a property owner agreed to allow a guy to prune a tree. The guy claimed to have forestry experience. He had a rope tied around a limb that he cut just as a neighbor walked out of their house. The limb dropped, rebounded at the end of the rope causing it to swing and strike the neighbor in the face. In the resulting lawsuit, the A300 standards were used to support the plaintiff complaint with a resultant settlement from the insurer.

The A300 standards apply to tree care companies, certified and consulting arborists. Different standards may apply depending on the case. For example, A300 (Part 9), Tree Risk Assessment A. Tree Failure, provides performance standards for tree risk assessment and guidelines for establishing written specification and best management practices, (BMP).

As a certified and registered consulting arborist, tree risk assessment inspections and reports are consulting services I provide, I’ve incorporated this and other standards into my practice. Tree care contractors might find other standards, such A300 (Part 1) Pruning, Part 5 (previously discussed) and Part 9 particularly applicable to their business.

In conclusion, the ANSI A300 Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management Performance Standards are a powerful tool that may benefit a plaintiff or defendant involved in a tree related accident. The standards are broad reaching in scope and application to a wide variety of construction and development professionals. Attorneys and insures should consider the potential application of A300 performance standards in tree related cases.