Business Details
23 Years
experience
Expert Arborist Consulting & Urban Forestry Services
LaMana Consulting Foresters was founded in 2003 with a mission to provide objective analysis and expert recommendations for urban trees and forests. As independent consulting arborists, we prioritize unbiased assessments free from conflicts of interest, focusing solely on our clients' best interests. Our team combines decades of practical knowledge in tree physiology, growth, and management with academic research and real-world experience to deliver actionable solutions. We specialize in preserving landscape trees as ecological and amenity resources through accurate diagnostics and tailored care plans. Our founder, Michael LaMana, brings over 25 years of expertise in arboriculture and forestry, supported by advanced degrees and leadership roles in professional organizations like the American Society of Consulting Arborists.We serve a spectrum from woodland forestry to urban arboriculture, addressing challenges in tree risk assessment, forensic investigations, and municipal forestry programs. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our credentials, including Board-Certified Master Arborist status, Certified Forester designations, and acceptance as expert witnesses in multiple states. We emphasize transparency, scientific rigor, and sustainable practices to enhance tree longevity and community green infrastructure. Our services support municipalities, landowners, and legal professionals with inventory management, ordinance development, and expert testimony. This dedication to advancing arboricultural standards has established us as trusted advisors in both rural and urban environments.
Services
Tree Assessment
Urban Forestry
Forensic Tree Expert
Forest Management
Consulting Arborist
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We operate as independent consultants with no ties to tree care contractors, ensuring unbiased recommendations.
- Our team holds advanced degrees in forestry and entomology from Rutgers and Oregon State Universities.
- We provide expert witness services accepted in courts across seven U.S. states.
- We combine 30+ years of field experience with scientific research methodologies.
- Our credentials include Board-Certified Master Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification certifications.
Associations and certifications
- International Society of Arborists
- Society of American Foresters
- American Society of Consulting Arborists
Services
Urban Forestry
We develop comprehensive management plans for municipal street trees, homeowner associations, and urban woodlands. Our services include inventory programs, ordinance development, and Tree City USA compliance assistance. By implementing systematic monitoring and sustainable practices, we help communities maintain healthy urban forests that provide long-term ecological and economic benefits through strategic planning and expert guidance.
Forensic Tree Expert
Our forensic investigations analyze tree failures and resolve disputes involving property damage, trespass, or ownership conflicts. We provide expert witness testimony in court cases, offering impartial assessments of tree health, structural integrity, and risk factors. This service combines arboricultural science with legal expertise to support insurance claims, litigation, and land use decisions with defensible evidence.
Forest Management
We create customized forest management plans that balance ecological health with landowner objectives. Services include resource inventory, silvicultural recommendations, and NRCS-compliant planning. Our approach integrates sustainable harvesting practices, habitat conservation, and tax assessment strategies to maintain productive woodlands while meeting regulatory requirements and long-term stewardship goals.
Tree Risk Assessment
We identify structural defects and hazardous conditions in individual trees using industry standards and specialized equipment. Our assessments evaluate cavity decay, root stability, and environmental stress factors to determine failure probabilities. Clients receive clear recommendations for mitigation, removal, or monitoring to reduce liability while preserving valuable tree assets when possible.
Consulting Arborist
We offer independent arboricultural services including plant diagnostics, valuation appraisals, and IPM management plans. Our consulting covers pre-construction assessments, development planning, and horticultural dispute resolution. Unlike contractor-affiliated arborists, we provide objective recommendations focused solely on tree health and client needs without commercial interests influencing our professional opinions.
People
Michael LaMana
Founder & Consulting Arborist
With 30+ years in arboriculture, Michael holds BS and MS degrees in forestry and entomology. He is a Board-Certified Master Arborist, Certified Forester, and expert witness qualified in multiple states. He serves on the American Society of Consulting Arborists board and has authored peer-reviewed research on tree health and management practices.
Questions
What services does LaMana Consulting Foresters offer?
We provide tree risk assessments, urban forestry planning, forensic tree investigations, forest management plans, and expert witness testimony.
Which areas do you serve?
We operate throughout New Jersey and provide consulting services in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and other states for legal cases.
What credentials does Michael LaMana hold?
He is a Board-Certified Master Arborist, Certified Forester, Licensed Tree Expert in NJ and MD, and holds a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
Can you assist with municipal forestry programs?
Yes, we develop community forest management plans, street tree inventories, and help municipalities achieve Tree City USA status.
Do you provide expert testimony in legal cases?
Yes, we serve as forensic tree experts in litigation involving tree failures, property disputes, and land use regulations.
Reviews (1)
Aaron
May 09, 2022
Report
I contacted LaMana for help resolving a tree issue. They were very professional and took the time to help despite being too far to handle personally. I found Michael to be very knowledgeable and passionate about his work. I would recommend LaMana to anyone experiencing tree problems.
