Independent Arboricultural Consulting and Diagnostics
Unbiased, practitioner-led tree health diagnosis, risk assessment, and municipal development consulting across Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton
Hi, I’m Brent.
I don't just deliver reports. I solve problems.
I'm a Board Certified Master Arborist with nearly a decade of field experience, one of fewer than 40 BCMAs in Ontario. The credentials matter, but the years I spent climbing and working with trees matters more.
I believe trees are part of what makes a neighbourhood feel like one. Whether that's a builder adding housing to an established community, a property owner protecting a tree they've lived under for twenty years, or a municipality stewarding a canopy that took decades to grow, the work matters beyond the paperwork.
When you hire me you get one person who understands the site, the environment, the bylaws, and what the trees are telling us.
Let my years of experience work for you and your trees.
How Can I help You?
For Homeowners & Residential Properties
"Is my tree sick, dying, or dangerous?"
Get direct, on-site diagnostics and clear answers about your tree's health, root condition, or structural stability without sales pressure or conflict of interest.
Direct tree health and diagnostic work
Soil, root zone, and structural assessments
Independent advice before hiring a tree care provider
Private property tree bylaw navigation
For Developers, Architects & Builders
"I’m building something and there are trees on-site”
Complete arboricultural documentation for construction & development projects, severance applications, site plan approvals, and municipal permit clearance.
Tree Protection Plans (TPPs) and Arborist Reports
Municipal permit acquisition (Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton)
AirSpade root exploration and construction monitoring
Ravine and Natural Feature protection compliance
Call: 647.339.7308 | Email: [email protected]
Virtual Arborist Consultations: www.treetruth.ca
Why Clients Work With Me
I spent years working with trees before I started consulting on them. That's not a minor detail. It's the difference between correct diagnosis and misidentification. It’s knowing how to design tree protection based on what I see on-site, not based on lines in AutoCAD .
Field Operations to Consulting
The bulk of my experience comes from years spent in the canopies of trees. Not only do I understand trees as physical structures, I understand how they grow, what stresses them, what that stress looks like, and how it plays out long-term. I’m a Master Arborist, but I’m also a ‘Master Observer’
Documentation That Holds Up
As one of fewer than 40 Board Certified Master Arborists in Ontario, I produce documentation built on scientific protocols and current industry standards. Municipal reviewers scrutinize arborist reports, and permit approvals depend on credible expertise. I make sure all bases are covered on the first submission.
Responsive When It Counts
When questions arise mid-project, something needs clarification, or Urban Forestry sends a comment, I respond quickly with clear answers. When timelines are tight, a fast response can be the difference between project progress or project delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most GTA municipalities require an arborist report when construction, renovation, or demolition could affect a protected tree. In Toronto, this applies to any private tree 30 cm in diameter or larger. In Burlington, the threshold is 20 cm. In Oakville and Mississauga, the threshold is 15 cm. If you're applying for a building permit, site plan approval, minor variance, or tree removal permit, you'll almost certainly need one. When in doubt, it's worth a quick conversation — I can tell you in five minutes whether your project triggers a requirement.
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The BCMA is the highest credential in arboriculture, awarded by the International Society of Arboriculture. It requires demonstrated mastery across tree biology, risk assessment, preservation, pathology, soil science, and professional standards. Fewer than 40 arborists in Ontario hold this designation. It means the person writing your report has been tested against the most rigorous professional standard in the industry — and the documentation reflects that.
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It depends on what you're using it for. If you're applying for a permit, dealing with a legal or insurance matter, or need documentation a municipality will accept, you need a formal report. If you just want to understand what's going on with a tree and what your options are, a consultation gets you there faster and for less.
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Yes. A diagnostic site visit is one of the most common calls I get. Declining leaves, dieback, fungal growth, or a tree that "just doesn't look right" all have identifiable causes, and I can usually narrow it down on site. You don't need a full arborist report for this; a focused consultation is often enough to get you an answer and a plan.
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It depends on the situation. Photos and a description can rule some things in or out, but most reliable diagnoses need eyes on the tree, the soil, and the surrounding site. I offer virtual consultations in addition to my on-site work, and if it’s enough for your situation, I'll tell you upfront rather than pushing an unnecessary site visit.
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A consulting arborist provides independent professional assessment, documentation, and expert advice. I don't sell tree removals or tree care services — my role is to give you objective recommendations based on what the trees actually need and what your project requires. That independence matters when your report needs to hold up under municipal review, at Committee of Adjustment, or in a legal proceeding.
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I serve Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, and surrounding municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area. Each municipality has different tree preservation bylaws and submission requirements. I work across all of them regularly and prepare reports to each one's specific standards.
Have a project affected by Ontario's new housing incentives?
With development charges cut 50% and the HST removed on new homes, construction across the GTA is accelerating. If you're planning a new build, addition, or infill project, arborist requirements haven't changed - and getting them handled early keeps your project on schedule. I put together a full breakdown of what the housing boom means for your project and what you need in place before breaking ground.
Not sure what's going on with your tree?
If a tree on your property looks stressed, damaged, or you just want a professional opinion before you act, a diagnostic consultation is the place to start. No report required, no obligation, just a clear answer.
Not sure where to start?
A quick call or email is usually all it takes to get you on the right path