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Arborist Reports & Tree Risk Assessment in NJ
Independent, written assessments from an ISA Certified Arborist — for insurance claims, real-estate sales, neighbor and HOA disputes, construction permits and peace of mind across Essex & Morris County.
T&D Tree Service provides professional arborist reports and tree risk assessments throughout Essex County and Morris County, New Jersey. When a decision about a tree needs to hold up — with an insurance adjuster, a home buyer, a township, an HOA board or a neighbor — a verbal opinion isn’t enough. You need a documented evaluation, signed by a credentialed arborist, that spells out the tree’s condition, its risk and the recommended action.
Our assessments are performed by Dave Lombardi, ISA Certified Arborist®, using the systematic, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) methodology — the industry standard for evaluating the likelihood of failure, the likelihood of impact, and the consequences. The result is a clear written report you can hand to whoever needs it. T&D is licensed and fully insured, and has served Essex & Morris County since 1984.
Documentation that stands up to scrutiny
Written, signed and photo-documented reports from a certified arborist — for whatever decision depends on the tree.
Tree Risk Assessment
A systematic, TRAQ-style evaluation of failure likelihood, target impact and consequences — the defensible standard for judging whether a tree is hazardous.
Written Reports & Letters
Signed, dated arborist reports and letters, complete with photos and clear recommendations — formatted for insurers, attorneys, towns and boards.
Real-Estate & Pre-Purchase
Tree condition assessments for home sales, buyers’ due diligence and closings — know what’s in the yard before the contract is signed.
Health & Diagnosis
Diagnosis of decline, pests and disease — from spotted lanternfly and emerald ash borer to root and canopy problems — with a treatment or removal plan.
Tree Appraisal
Monetary valuation of trees using the recognized Trunk Formula Technique — for insurance loss, damage claims and disputes.
Construction & Permits
Tree-protection assessments and reports for construction, additions and municipal removal permits, so your project clears review.
Signed by a certified arborist, not a salesman
An arborist report is only as good as the person who signs it. Insurers, attorneys, judges and municipal boards give weight to a report from a credentialed professional — not a verbal “that tree looks fine” from whoever showed up with a chainsaw. Dave Lombardi is a verifiable ISA Certified Arborist® who has assessed trees across Essex & Morris County for four decades.
- Assessments follow the ISA TRAQ risk methodology — the recognized professional standard
- Every report is written, dated, photo-documented and signed — ready to submit
- Independent, honest findings — we’re not upselling a removal you don’t need
- Credential is verifiable directly with the International Society of Arboriculture
- Backed by 40+ years of hands-on removal, cabling and preservation experience
When you need a written arborist report
Most people don’t know they need an arborist report until a deadline or a dispute forces it. Common reasons homeowners, buyers, attorneys and property managers call us:
- Insurance claims — documenting a failed or damaged tree, or proving a tree was healthy before a storm
- Real-estate transactions — a buyer, seller or lender wants the trees on a property evaluated before closing
- Neighbor & HOA disputes — an independent opinion on a shared or boundary tree, or an association’s request
- Municipal permits — many NJ towns require an arborist’s report to approve a tree removal
- Construction & additions — a tree protection plan to keep trees alive through a build
- Health & safety concerns — you suspect a tree is declining, hollow or hazardous and want a professional read
Whatever the reason, we deliver a clear document that says what we found, what it means and what we recommend.
From site visit to signed report
A documented, defensible assessment — performed and signed by a credentialed arborist.
Tell Us the Purpose
Let us know who the report is for — insurer, buyer, township, HOA or attorney — so we assess and document to that standard.
On-Site Assessment
Dave inspects the tree using the ISA TRAQ method: species, condition, defects, targets, and the likelihood and consequences of failure.
Diagnosis & Findings
We diagnose any health, pest or structural issues, appraise value if needed, and determine the recommended action.
Written, Signed Report
You receive a clear, photo-documented report signed by an ISA Certified Arborist — ready to submit to whoever needs it.
A report may recommend removal, cabling & bracing or a tree protection plan for construction. We serve every town in Essex & Morris County.
Arborist reports for New Jersey towns and permits
New Jersey municipalities take their tree canopy seriously, and many Essex & Morris County towns — Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Maplewood, Morristown, Chatham and Madison among them — require a permit and, in many cases, a certified arborist’s written justification before you can remove a protected or street-adjacent tree. A vague note won’t clear review; a documented TRAQ-based report will. We know what local boards and engineering departments look for, and we format reports so they move through the process.
The same documentation protects you after a storm. When a Nor’easter or microburst drops a limb on your roof, your car or a neighbor’s fence, an insurer wants evidence — the tree’s pre-loss condition, the cause of failure and a professional cost of remediation. Because T&D has worked in these towns since 1984, we often know a property’s trees firsthand, and we can turn a site visit into a signed report quickly. For HOA and neighbor disagreements over a shared tree, an independent certified opinion is often what finally settles it.
What affects arborist report cost in NJ
Report fees depend on the depth of assessment and documentation required. We quote each engagement up front once we understand the purpose. Key factors:
- Purpose & audience — a simple health letter versus a formal report for an insurer, township or court
- Number of trees — a single specimen versus an entire property or development site
- Assessment level — a visual TRAQ assessment versus advanced diagnostics for internal decay
- Appraisal — whether a monetary Trunk Formula valuation of the tree is required
- Documentation — the amount of measurement, photography, mapping and written detail needed
- Turnaround — standard scheduling versus an expedited report for a closing or claim deadline
An independent report is inexpensive next to a denied insurance claim, a stalled closing or an unnecessary removal. Meet Dave and the team, read our reviews, or request a report.
Caring for the trees of Essex & Morris County
From the estates of Short Hills and Mendham to every street in between, T&D Tree Service is the local, licensed arborist New Jersey homeowners call first.
Essex County
What Essex & Morris County says about T&D Tree
This service is THE BEST! A huge tree came down on my shed and they came out same-day. The crew worked hard to save the shed and removed the heavy limbs very carefully. Cleaned up nicely — excellent service.
I have been using T&D for years. There is no reason to use anyone else. They are reliable, competent and fairly priced. Thank you Dave.
Best tree services in Essex and Morris counties. Dave came for a prompt estimate, pulled the permit quickly, and his crew did a great job above our expectations — covered the siding and pathway to avoid damage.
I’ve used T&D multiple times and they never disappoint. Professional, friendly, efficient. They leave the area spotless — it’s clear they take pride in their work. Highly recommend!
T&D was wonderful — always on time, always when promised. David showed a vast knowledge of local trees, his team used a crane and wore safety equipment, and they cleaned up completely.
They do exceptional work at extremely reasonable prices. Dave was an absolute pleasure to work with. The tree was a monster and came down seamlessly — they truly go above and beyond.
Dave arrived on time with a reasonable quote, and the crew showed up the very morning he promised. Courteous, efficient and professional — they protected our property and cleaned up well.
Massive 50-ft tree removed at the last minute, leaving no trace on my neighbor’s yard. Amazing work for just 3 guys. Fair pricing and easy to work with.
Responsive, dependable, and his team is neat and very careful. I’ve used T&D in the past and would not do business with any other tree company in Livingston.
Very reasonable pricing. Great service. Crew arrived at the time promised. Yard was left spotless.
Arborist report questions, answered
A tree risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of how likely a tree or part of a tree is to fail, how likely it is to strike a target such as a house or person, and how severe the consequences would be. T&D Tree Service performs assessments using the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) methodology — the recognized professional standard — and documents the findings in a written report. Call (973) 434-5557.
Your report is performed and signed by Dave Lombardi, a verifiable ISA Certified Arborist® and owner of T&D Tree Service since 1984. His credential can be confirmed directly with the International Society of Arboriculture, which is exactly why insurers, attorneys, towns and HOA boards give the report weight. Learn more about Dave.
Many Essex & Morris County municipalities require a permit — and often a certified arborist’s written justification — before removing a protected or street-adjacent tree. Requirements vary by town, so tell us your address and the tree, and we’ll advise what your municipality needs and prepare a report that clears review. See our tree removal service.
Yes. T&D Tree Service documents failed, damaged or hazardous trees for insurance claims — including the tree’s pre-loss condition, the cause of failure, and photo evidence — in a signed arborist report an adjuster will accept. We can also appraise the monetary value of a lost tree using the recognized Trunk Formula Technique.
It depends on the purpose, the number of trees and the depth of documentation required — a brief health letter costs less than a formal report for a township or court. We quote each report up front. A modest fee is small insurance against a denied claim, a stalled closing or an unnecessary removal. Request a report.
Need a report from a certified arborist?
Get a free, no-pressure estimate from the arborists Essex & Morris County have trusted since 1984. Same-week scheduling and 24/7 emergency response.