Nature of the information

Information on bhconsultingarb.ca is general and educational. It isn’t professional arboricultural advice, a tree risk assessment, or a recommendation for any particular property.

Site-specific assessment required

Tree preservation requirements, risk assessments, protection plans and recommendations depend on site conditions and constraints, the individual trees, municipal bylaws, soil, infrastructure and environment, the project scope and construction methods, and observations made at a particular time. Don’t rely on anything on this website to make decisions about preserving, removing, protecting or managing the risk of a tree without a professional on-site assessment.

No professional relationship

Reading the website or submitting an enquiry doesn’t create a consulting relationship. One is established only through project discussion, a site-specific assessment, a written proposal or agreement setting out the scope of work, and acceptance of the terms and fees.

Municipal and regulatory requirements

Bylaws, permit requirements and protection standards vary across municipalities and change over time. Regulatory information on this website is general and may not reflect recent amendments, local interpretations or site-specific exemptions. Always confirm current requirements with the municipality before proceeding.

Limits of risk assessment

Tree risk assessment evaluates the likelihood and consequences of failure based on conditions observed at the time. It can’t predict with certainty when or whether a tree will fail, account for every failure mechanism, eliminate risk from retaining a tree, or remain valid indefinitely. Decisions about risk tolerance and management rest with property owners and other stakeholders.

Standards and credentials

Services follow ISA Best Management Practices, the TRAQ methodology where applicable, relevant professional standards and applicable regulations. Credentials referenced on this website (Board Certified Master Arborist, TRAQ, Butternut health assessment and 444B Journeyman Utility Arborist) can be verified with the issuing organizations.

No warranties

We make no warranty about the accuracy or completeness of general information on this website, its suitability for a specific situation, or outcomes such as tree survival or project success without a formal engagement and site-specific assessment.

Information changes over time

Tree health, structure and risk change with growth, weather, pests and disease, construction and age. Assessments become outdated and shouldn’t be relied on indefinitely without reassessment.

Third parties

We aren’t responsible for how contractors or owners carry out recommendations, decisions by municipalities or regulators, actions taken by others based on this website, changes made to recommended protection measures, or work done without appropriate consultation or oversight.

Geographic scope

Services are offered primarily in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton. Requirements elsewhere may differ significantly.

Insurance

Professional liability insurance covers work performed under a formal written engagement. It doesn’t extend to general information on this website, informal advice outside an engagement, decisions made without a site-specific assessment, or work carried out by others.

Legal and financial matters

This website doesn’t provide legal or financial advice. Questions about liability, property law and boundary disputes, insurance claims or the financial effect of tree decisions should go to the appropriate legal or financial professional.

How to get professional advice

Contact us by email or phone, describe your project and timeline, share the site location, photos and any documents, and we’ll send a proposal setting out scope, deliverables, timing and price. Recommendations should only be relied on after a formal engagement and a site-specific assessment.

Contact

Brent Hocking Consulting Arborist
Email: brent@bhconsultingarb.ca
Phone: 647.339.7308