Honest answers.
No chainsaw in the truck.
We're a group of independent ISA Certified Arborists out to change the way trees are cared for by removing the guesswork. We empower our clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. We assess your trees, tell you exactly what we find, and never once try to sell you any tree work. The investigative tools we carry differ greatly from what a "free consultant" typically shows up with. We have things like binoculars, specialty tape measures, sounding mallets, and soil and cavity probes — not just an iPad to upsell you. If something needs doing, we'll tell you — then point you to competent professionals who can do it.
| Tree / Location / Notes | Cond. | Recommendations |
|
Pin Oak Quercus palustris
East side, front yard
Minor deadwood in upper canopy, otherwise sound
|
Deadwood removal recommended within 2 years |
|
|
Silver Maple Acer saccharinum
Backyard, south fence
Co-dominant stem at 14' — retain and monitor annually
|
Cabling or bracing evaluation within 12 months; annual monitoring required |
|
|
Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis
Next to patio
No structural or health concerns noted
|
No action required at this time |
Every estimate has a built-in conflict of interest.
The company that benefits from your tree being "a problem" is usually the same company bidding to fix it. That's not corruption — it's just how the incentive works. It's also exactly why an initial, unbiased opinion is worth having before you spend a dollar on a sales driven tree care proposal. With average man-hour rates in the $150–$250 range, the price of an assessment pays for itself by reducing unnecessary work or upsells.
We don't have one.
- No per-job referral fees
- No per-job commissions on referred work
- No preferred-vendor arrangements
- No chainsaw in the truck, and never will be
- No advice based on manpower, equipment available, or revenue goals
It's not a sales pitch — it's the entire reason this is worth paying for.
What an assessment gets you
Three ways to get an independent answer, priced by how deep you need to go.
The foundation of everything we do. A full visual walkthrough of every significant tree on your property, plus a one-page written report — condition ratings, top concerns, what needs attention, and a general timeline for addressing each item.
A formal ISA TRAQ® Level 2 Risk Assessment on a specific tree, added on top of a Standard Assessment. The documented risk rating insurance companies, municipalities, and legal disputes actually require — with a written report that stands up to scrutiny.
A deep-dive upgrade on top of a Standard Assessment. Full ISA-format inventory — species, DBH, height, crown spread, structural notes, and a written prescription for every tree. Built to hold up in a real estate disclosure, an insurance claim, or a legal record.
Soil analysis, disease identification, pest diagnostics, and other laboratory testing to get to the root of what's affecting your trees. We collect samples, coordinate with the lab, and interpret the results in plain language.
Thinking about adding trees to your property? We'll advise on the right species for your site, soil, and goals — factoring in mature size, root behavior, pest resistance, and long-term canopy impact so you plant once and plant right.
Ongoing monitoring and mitigation for pest pressure, fungal issues, and disease progression identified during your Standard Assessment. We track what's happening, advise on treatment options, and help you stay ahead of problems before they become removals.
How an assessment works
Book
Call, text, or use the form below. Tell us what's going on, or just that you want an objective opinion.
We come to you
An on-site visit, 30–90 minutes depending on the assessment you choose.
Walk the property
We can do this as a scheduled visit or stop by and let you know what we find via email, text, or a phone call.
Get it in writing
A clean report delivered within 48 hours, or 5 business days for a full Detailed Assessment.
If work is needed
We refer you into a vetted network of various, local tree companies based on the complexity of any discovered issues. Never one company. Never a kickback.
Dan Seeley
Eight years of hands-on arboriculture in the Kansas City area, spent learning what actually keeps urban trees alive — and what doesn't. Freelance Arborists exists because homeowners deserve an answer that isn't also a sales pitch.
Of the [X] ISA Certified Arborists in the Kansas City metro, fewer than a handful hold all three credentials — ISA Certified Arborist®, TRAQ®, and PPQ — while working independently with no tree work to sell. (Verify at certificates.directory.isa-arbor.com and update this number before launch.)
"The job is to tell you the truth about your trees — even when the truth is ‘they're fine, save your money.’"
Don't know what kind of tree it is?
Text a photo to the number on the right. We'll text back the species, one interesting fact, and a seasonal care tip — free, from an actual ISA Certified Arborist®, not an app.
Reply YES if you'd also like occasional seasonal tips and an assessment offer. Reply STOP anytime to opt out. Msg & data rates may apply.
Questions worth answering up front
Do you do the tree work yourselves?
No — and that's the point. We assess. If something needs doing, we refer you to a vetted, local tree company. We have no financial relationship with any of them, so there's nothing to gain by finding more work than there actually is.
How is this different from a free estimate?
A free estimate comes from whoever wants to sell you the job. We're not selling anything except the assessment itself, so there's no incentive to talk you into more than your trees need.
What is TRAQ®?
Tree Risk Assessment Qualification — an ISA credential for formally evaluating and documenting a tree's structural risk. We perform Level 2 Assessments, which is the standard insurance companies, municipalities, and courts look for. It's an add-on to a Standard Assessment, not a standalone service.
What does PPQ mean?
PPQ stands for Prescription Pruning Qualification — an ISA credential focused on the science of proper pruning. It means we can tell you not just whether a tree needs work, but exactly what kind of pruning it needs, why, and when — so you're never paying for cuts that don't serve the tree.
Where do you work?
The Kansas City metro and surrounding areas.
How fast will I get my report?
48 hours for a Standard Assessment or a TRAQ® rating. 5 business days for a Detailed Assessment — or 48 hours with rush service.
What if you find something serious?
You'll hear about it in person before we leave — not buried on page nine of a PDF a week later.
Straight talk about trees
One new article every month — written by an ISA Certified Arborist, not a content agency. No filler, no upsell.
The hidden cost of letting the company doing the work decide whether the work is needed — and what an objective opinion is actually worth.
Coming soonNot every lean is a liability. Here's how we think about lean, root zone, soil, and target when we're doing a risk assessment.
Coming soonEveryone hates them. They're also everywhere. What silver maples actually need — and when the concerns about them are real versus overblown.
Coming soonSchedule an assessment
Tell us a bit about your property and we'll reach out within one business day.
Request received
We'll be in touch within one business day to schedule your visit.