Shakerag Consulting Services

Independent arboricultural consulting means my opinion isn’t for sale. Every report I write reflects my objective and impartial professional judgment. Shakerag Consulting works for property owners and managers, attorneys, insurers, and developers across Middle Tennessee, and the work splits into six practice areas below.

Tree Risk Assessment

Tree risk assessment is how you find out whether a tree is actually dangerous or just looks that way. ISA recognizes three levels: Limited Visual (Level 1), Basic (Level 2), and Advanced (Level 3). Basic Level 2 is the most common.

Appropriate for: HOAs, property managers, attorneys, homeowners with a specific concern, institutional properties.

Tree Appraisal

Monetary valuation of trees damaged, removed, or destroyed using the CTLA’s Guide for Plant Appraisal. I hold the ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification (TPAQ). The right valuation methodology depends on the assignment and your situation.

Appropriate for: attorneys and insurers; construction damage claims, unauthorized removal, proactive evidence.

Tree Preservation Planning

Construction is one of the leading causes of tree death in developed landscapes, and most of that damage is invisible until years later. I develop preservation plans that protect trees before, during, and after construction, grounded in practical experience, ISA BMP’s and the ANSI A300 Standard.

Appropriate for: developers, contractors, architects, homeowners planning additions or site work near established trees.

Tree Management Planning

If you're managing more than a handful of trees (a campus, an HOA, or a commercial property) reactive decisions get expensive fast. A management plan usually starts with a full inventory, then builds out maintenance schedules, risk mitigation priorities, and documentation that holds up over years. It's the difference between treating trees as problems and managing them as assets, useful for municipalities, campuses, HOAs, estates, and commercial properties with significant tree populations.

Expert Witness & Litigation Support

Retroactive risk assessment, forensic analysis, tree appraisal, case review, expert rebuttal, deposition, and trial testimony — whatever the matter requires. Reports and opinions are built to be defensible.

Appropriate for: plaintiff and defense counsel, insurance carriers, any matter where arboricultural standards or tree value are in dispute.

General Tree Consulting

Not every question fits within a defined scope. If you need a professional opinion, site visit, or have a question that doesn't need a full assessment or report, this is what general consulting is for. Appropriate for anyone with an arborist question who isn’t sure where to start.

Not sure which service fits your situation? Get in touch - a brief conversation is usually enough to figure it out.

How to Get Started

Every engagement begins with a proposal. Reach out with a brief description of your situation: what you're dealing with, what you need, and when — and I'll follow up promptly to discuss scope and fees.

JP McDonnell | jp@shakeragconsulting.com