Already Have a Contractor? Have an Arborist Walk the Property First
Pre-Clearing Consultation · North Alabama
Already have a contractor lined up? Have an arborist walk the property first.
This is for property owners who already have land clearing arranged — or are getting quotes — and want an arborist's opinion on which trees to protect and how, before anyone's equipment shows up. It's independent of who ends up doing the clearing.
- Professional Arborist
- Certified Alabama Urban Forester
- 4th-generation arborist
- Available whether or not you hire Heritage for the clearing
Who this is for
You've got clearing arranged. This is a separate opinion on the trees.
If you already have a contractor picked out for a land-clearing job — or you're still comparing quotes — this isn't a way to switch that arrangement. It's a chance to have a professional arborist walk the property beforehand and give you a plain-language read on the trees in and around the planned work area: which ones are worth protecting, which ones already have problems, and what's worth flagging for whoever ends up running the equipment.
Evaluating trees and operating clearing equipment are different skills. A lot of contractors are good at the second without spending much time on the first — that's not a knock on anyone, it's just not the same job. This consultation exists for the people who want that first part looked at specifically, by someone whose work is trees, before the machine gets there.
What it actually is
A walkthrough and a conversation — not a formal assessment
Jeremy VanMaanen walks the property with you, looks at the trees in and around where the clearing is planned, and talks through what he sees: which trees are healthy and worth keeping, which have defects worth knowing about — a hollow trunk, a dead top, a weak union — and where root zones and site conditions might change how the work should be approached.
To be direct about what this is not: it is not a formal, documented tree-risk assessment, a survey, or an engineering report. There's no certified deliverable and no written report promised as part of this offer. It's a walkthrough and plain-language recommendations, in person and by conversation — something you can pass along to your contractor in your own words, or that Jeremy can go over directly with them if that's useful.
What it's not
Not the clearing request form
If you want Heritage Arborist to do the clearing itself, that request goes through the forestry mulching and land clearing page instead. This page is specifically for the walkthrough — for people who have clearing handled elsewhere and want an independent look at the trees first. You're welcome to ask about clearing separately, but nothing here commits you to that, and nothing here assumes you want it.
Request a walkthrough
Tell us about the property and what's planned
No pricing is listed here because this is a request, not a checkout — describe the property and the situation, and Heritage Arborist will follow up to talk through scheduling.
Straight answers
Questions people ask before booking this
Do you also do the clearing?
Heritage Arborist does offer forestry mulching and land clearing separately — see the forestry mulching and land clearing page if that's something you want a quote on. But this consultation is available on its own, whether or not you use Heritage for the clearing itself. Plenty of people booking this already have someone else doing the work.
What if the arborist and my contractor disagree about a tree?
That can happen — a contractor is usually thinking about access, equipment routes and getting the job done efficiently, while this walkthrough is focused specifically on the trees. If there's a disagreement, you'll have both perspectives to weigh, and it's your call how to resolve it. Nobody here is going to tell your contractor how to run their job.
Is this a legal or documented risk assessment?
No. This is a walkthrough and informal, plain-language recommendations — not a formal tree-risk assessment, a survey, or a certified or engineering report. There's no written deliverable promised as part of this offer. If you need something formal and documented for legal, insurance or permitting purposes, this isn't that, and you should say so up front so expectations are clear.
How soon before my contractor starts should I schedule this?
Earlier is better, since it gives you time to actually pass along what comes out of the walkthrough — flagging trees, adjusting access routes, deciding what to protect. A few weeks ahead is comfortable. If your contractor is already scheduled to start soon, it's still worth asking; just say so on the form.
Do I need to be there for the walkthrough?
It helps. Seeing the trees together and hearing the reasoning in real time is usually more useful than a list handed to you afterward, especially if you're the one relaying it to your contractor.
Is there a cost?
No pricing is listed here. Send over your property details and situation using the form, and Heritage Arborist will follow up to talk through scheduling.
Whenever you're ready
Want a second opinion on the trees before equipment shows up?
Whether you've already got a contractor scheduled or you're still getting quotes, send over the property details and what you're hoping to get out of the walkthrough.
More: forestry mulching & land clearing across North Alabama · why walk your property with an arborist before clearing · the pre-clearing checklist