UrbFor Consulting Ltd.

Services We Offer

Since 1998, UrbFor Consulting Ltd. has been providing large scale inventories, tree preservation plans, risk assessments, appraisals, insurance claim investigations, and expert opinions for a broad range of clients including the City of Edmonton, the Alberta Government, condo boards, private landowners, real estate land developers, insurance adjusters, architects, and lawyers.

We can help ensure the enduring beauty, health, and safety of your green space, whether it’s a yard, a public park, or a forested landscape.

Proud recipient of the 2023 Urban Forestry Award

Comprehensive Tree & Shrub Inventories

Detailed up to date tree and shrub inventories provide the basis for effectively managing and decision making, whether it involves a residential lot, commercial development site, municipal or provincial park. UrbFor uses high precision GPS tools to collect detailed site and tree attributes that help drive both short and long-term management objectives. UrbFor has produced a number of inventories for urban development applications, city park rehabilitation projects and tree appraisals. UrbFor also has access to drone technology for large scale site development projects.

Tree Preservation Planning & Tree Protection / Jurisdictional Compliance and Permitting

Tree preservation planning in an urban environment is complex and challenging. Successful tree preservation plans include managing the interests of the developer while not compromising the asset value for either the city or private tree owner. Here are some of the strategies UrbFor uses to build such plans:

  • Confirm absolute ownership of trees – city versus private or other.
  • Inventory ALL trees with high precision GPS and mapping software.
  • Take measure of site and soil limitations including existing drainage patterns, soil texture and proposed grade changes.
  • Assess all potential “above” and “below” ground disturbances that may arise from excavation for foundations, provision of utilities and/or construction of new infrastructure.

Tree Risk Assessment & Removals

Managing risk of tree failure and prescribing critical tree maintenance options is becoming increasingly important with climate change impacts including longer drought periods and higher intensity wind events Some of the ways we can help ensure the enduring beauty, health, and safety of your green space, whether it’s a yard, a public park, or a forested area are:

  • Conducting thorough tree risk assessment on a stand or individual trees consistent with International Society of Arborists (ISA) standards and best management practices.
  • Create high-precision maps that categorize trees from low to extreme risk of failure.
  • Developing custom pruning prescriptions to ensure tree stability and promote proper branch structure.
  • Prescribe cabling options in the crown and/or bracing through the trunk or codominant stems to mitigate branch and whole tree failure.
  • Assessing the extent of soil compaction and advising on remediation measures.
  • Coordinating technical tree removals with professional climbers or use of aerial lifts or cranes.

Detailed Tree Appraisals

Formal appraisals are required when evaluating damage to trees or exploring the value of various tree care options. UrbFor is trained in both the 9th and 10th edition of the Guide to Plant Appraisal and has compiled a number of appraisals on private, commercial and city property. Appraisals have also been carried out on Provincial Crown land, including mature elm and ash trees at the Alberta Legislature.

Diagnosis of Tree & Landscape Problems

For over 24 years, UrbFor has carried out site and tree investigations to determine tree health problems or issues. UrbFor uses a combination of imagery, historical site data, and other soils/tree diagnostic tools to determine root causes of tree decline or health. UrbFor works with an experienced forest entomologist/pathologist to key out specific pest agents and can then advise on viable treatment options, including cultural measures (pruning/ mulch and watering) to stem injections and removals if required.

Why Choose Us?

We are Passionate About Trees & Tree Care!

Dependable

We provide thorough, timely, and comprehensive services for your urban and forest planning needs whether residential, commercial, or public sector.

Professionally Trained & Industry Certified

Our Owner/President is registered with professional associations and certified with respected industry authorities.  Learn More

Licensed and Insured

We are licensed and fully insured with commercial general liability and errors and omissions coverage.

Longstanding Reputable Company

Since 1998 we have provided expert, cost effective urban and forest planning solutions. To ensure continued quality service, our owner is involved in every assignment overseeing all aspects of the project including the provision of all deliverables to the client.

Continuous Learning Perspective

We believe in continuous education and training to ensure we are using the best practices, methodology, and following current standards. Our team undertakes on going training and our owner has a passion for continuous learning.

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Tree health is as important as the ecosystem supporting it.
Let us help you get to the root of your tree health.