A Day in the Life of a Consulting Arborist
By Jeremy Lee Hinkle, RCA #812, ISA Certified Arborist
Consulting arboriculture is where science, planning, and professional judgment converge. After more than 20 years in municipal parks and urban forestry operations, I now balance public-sector service with private consulting through my firm, Lee Green Consulting LLC, supporting projects throughout South Florida. Each day reinforces the importance of objective, defensible arboricultural guidance in increasingly complex urban environments.
Unlike production work, consulting requires long-term thinking. My role often involves evaluating how trees interact with development before issues arise—rather than responding after damage has occurred. A typical day may include conducting tree inventories and risk assessments, reviewing civil and architectural plans, identifying conflicts with tree protection zones, and developing mitigation or relocation strategies that align with ANSI A300 standards and local municipal codes.
Much of my work centers on communication. Consulting arborists frequently serve as translators between arboriculture and the broader project team. Architects, engineers, contractors, and municipal reviewers all approach projects from different perspectives, and part of my responsibility is to present tree-related recommendations in a way that is clear, practical, and defensible. The goal is not only to preserve viable trees, but also to help projects move forward efficiently while reducing long-term risk and liability.
Launching and growing a consulting practice while maintaining a municipal career has required structure, discipline, and strong professional ethics. Clear boundaries, consistent documentation, and conservative recommendations have been essential. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that credibility is built over time—through accuracy, transparency, and a willingness to recommend removal when preservation is not feasible.
Technology has become an indispensable part of my consulting workflow. Digital data collection, GIS overlays, cloudbased photo documentation, and standardized report templates allow for greater efficiency and consistency. These tools don’t replace professional judgment, but they free up time for analysis, planning, and collaboration—where a consulting arborist adds the most value.
Consulting arboriculture plays a critical role in modern urban development. Trees exist within legal, structural, environmental, and social systems, and consulting arborists help navigate those intersections. Whether working on a single residential property or a large-scale development, my objective remains the same: provide sound, objective guidance that protects both the urban forest and the interests of the client.
Author Bio
Jeremy Lee Hinkle, RCA #812 is an ISA Certified Arborist, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist, and TRAQ/TPAQ Qualified professional with over 20 years of experience in municipal parks operations and urban forestry. He is the principal consultant at Lee Green Consulting LLC, providing arborist reports, risk assessments, and development support across South Florida.