Managing trees across an HOA, community, or commercial property requires more than responding to problems as they appear. A Tree Action Plan provides a structured process for identifying tree care needs, prioritizing work, obtaining comparable bids, and verifying that the work is completed correctly.
For property managers and boards, tree care can become complicated quickly. Different contractors may recommend different work, bids may be difficult to compare, and determining which trees actually require pruning or removal can be challenging.
TreeLife CA's Tree Action Plan creates an independent roadmap for managing the property's trees. The process begins with mapping and assessment and continues through contractor bidding and final inspection of the completed work.
(Consulting Arborist Services)
What Is a Tree Action Plan?
A Tree Action Plan identifies trees on a property and documents tree work that should be considered based on observed conflicts or defects.
Rather than beginning with contractor bids, TreeLife first develops the scope of work.
This provides the property manager and board with a defined plan that can then be given to selected tree service providers for bidding.
Because contractors are bidding from the same TreeLife Action Plan, the trees, counts, and objectives remain consistent from bid to bid.
This creates a more organized process for evaluating proposed tree work and comparing contractor pricing.
Step 1: Create a GIS-Based Tree Map
The process begins with a detailed GIS-based tree map.
Mapping establishes an organized inventory of the trees being evaluated and provides a geographic reference for the recommendations that follow.
For communities and properties with many trees, having a mapped inventory makes it easier to identify individual trees and communicate about proposed work.
Step 2: Assess the Trees and Develop the Action Plan
TreeLife evaluates the trees for conflicts or defects that may need to be addressed through pruning or removal.
Using the information collected during the assessment, TreeLife develops the Tree Action Plan.
The goal is to create a clearly defined scope of work before contractors are asked to submit bids.
Step 3: Prepare the Summary Report
A Summary Report accompanies the Tree Action Plan.
The report summarizes what TreeLife is suggesting and explains why the work is being recommended.
This gives the property manager and board additional context when reviewing the Action Plan and deciding how to proceed.
Step 4: Conduct a Pre-Bid Walk
Once the manager and board have reviewed and understood the Tree Action Plan and Summary Report, TreeLife schedules a pre-bid walk with the selected tree service provider or providers.
The pre-bid walk gives the contractors an opportunity to review the defined scope of work before preparing their bids.
Instead of asking each contractor to independently determine what work should be performed, the contractors are bidding on an established plan.
Step 5: Compare Apples-to-Apples Bids
The bids are then submitted to the manager and board for review.
Because the bids are based on TreeLife's Action Plan, all contractors are bidding on the same trees, tree counts, and objectives.
This helps create an apples-to-apples comparison between service providers.
For property managers and boards, that can make the bidding process easier to evaluate because differences in price are less likely to result from contractors proposing entirely different scopes of work.
Step 6: Inspect the Completed Tree Work
TreeLife's involvement does not necessarily end when the contractor is selected.
Once the work is awarded, TreeLife is informed of which contractor was selected and when the work will begin.
After the contractor completes the project, TreeLife inspects the work.
TreeLife then issues either:
- A notice of completion, or
- A deficiency notice
Once the work has been completed and accepted, payment can be issued to the contractor.
This final inspection provides another level of oversight between the original Action Plan and the work actually performed in the field.
Why Tree Action Plans Help Property Managers and HOAs
Managing a large tree population can require coordination between managers, boards, arborists, landscape professionals, and tree service contractors.
A Tree Action Plan creates a common reference point for that process.
Benefits described by TreeLife include:
- Fixed-price Action Plans based on site parameters and tree quantity rather than a running bill
- Apples-to-apples contractor bids
- A defined scope of tree work before bidding
- More time for managers to focus on other aspects of property management
- Helping avoid unnecessary tree work that could cause harm
- Inspection of completed work before final acceptance
The result is a more structured approach to planning and managing tree care.
Separating Tree Care Recommendations From Contractor Bidding
One important feature of the Tree Action Plan process is that the recommended scope of work is established before contractor bids are compared.
TreeLife assesses the trees and develops the Action Plan. Selected service providers can then bid on that established scope.
This creates a clearer distinction between determining what tree work is appropriate and determining who will perform the work and at what price.
For managers and boards responsible for community trees, that structure can make tree management decisions easier to document and review.
Tree Action Plans and Long-Term Tree Management
A Tree Action Plan can also provide a foundation for more organized tree management.
By mapping trees, documenting observed concerns, identifying recommended work, and verifying completion, a property can maintain a clearer picture of its tree population and current maintenance needs.
This can be particularly useful for:
- Homeowners associations
- Community associations
- Property management companies
- Commercial properties
- Multi-family communities
- Properties with large numbers of mature trees
Avoiding Unnecessary Tree Work
More tree work does not automatically mean better tree care.
One of the stated benefits of TreeLife's Action Plans is helping properties avoid unnecessary work that causes harm to trees.
A professional assessment before bidding helps establish why particular work is being recommended and which trees actually require attention.
That allows managers and boards to approach pruning and removal decisions using an established plan rather than simply approving whatever work happens to be proposed.
Need a Tree Action Plan for Your Property?
If you manage an HOA, community, commercial property, or other site with a significant tree population, a Tree Action Plan can provide a structured process for planning and overseeing tree work.
TreeLife CA can map the trees, assess tree conditions, develop the Action Plan and Summary Report, coordinate the pre-bid process, and inspect completed work.
Related Services
- Consulting Arborist Services
- Tree Assessment Services
- Tree Health Care Services
- Tree Protection Plans
- Arborist Reports
Request a Consultation
Talk with TreeLife CA about developing a Tree Action Plan for your property or community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Action Plans
What is a Tree Action Plan?
A Tree Action Plan is a structured plan developed after trees on a property are mapped and assessed. It identifies conflicts or defects that may need to be addressed through pruning or removal and establishes a defined scope of work.
Does a Tree Action Plan include a tree map?
Yes. TreeLife's process begins by creating a detailed GIS-based tree map.
Does TreeLife provide a report with the Action Plan?
Yes. A Summary Report accompanies the Tree Action Plan and summarizes what is being suggested and why.
How does a Tree Action Plan help compare tree service bids?
Selected service providers bid from the same TreeLife Action Plan. This means the trees, counts, and objectives are consistent, allowing the property manager and board to compare bids on the same scope of work.
Does TreeLife select the tree contractor?
The flyer describes the property using selected service provider or providers for the pre-bid walk and the manager and board reviewing the resulting bids. TreeLife's role is to establish the Action Plan and support the process.
Does TreeLife inspect the work after it is completed?
Yes. After the awarded work is completed, TreeLife inspects it and issues either a notice of completion or a deficiency notice.
Are Tree Action Plans billed hourly?
According to TreeLife's Tree Action Plan materials, Action Plans are offered as fixed-price quotes based on site parameters and tree quantity rather than as a running bill.