“Do not confuse a certified arborist with a Consulting Arborist. Anyone who passes the test administered by the International Society of Arboriculture, the trade organization for the arboricultural industry, may become a certified arborist. While there are many certified arborists who may be qualified to serve as consultants, there are many more whose only qualification is that they have a pickup truck and a chainsaw. A Consulting Arborist with forensic training, regardless of “certification,” is the appropriate expert to look at questions of causation and valuation. To find a qualified Consulting Arborist in your area, contact the American Society of Consulting Arborists in Rockville, Maryland, at 301‑947‑0483 (asca@mgmtsol.com) or check their online referral database at www.asca‑consultants.org. You could also consult a local attorney specializing in tree disputes for recommendations.”

— Tree Law: The “Top Ten” Issues Attorneys Should Consider When Handling Disputes Over Trees
Barri Kaplan Bonapart, California Lawyer, March 2002