Tree Frog LLC

Tree Frog LLC is an ISA Certified consulting arborist business located in Duvall, Washington, providing professional and sustainable tree and horticultural consulting services.

Owner, Andy Crossett, is a Certified Arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor through the International Society of Arboriculture, a Certified Professional Horticulturist through the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association, and has a degree in Environmental Horticulture, with over 20 years of practical experience in the field.

What is a Consulting Arborist? A consulting arborist is the authoritative expert on trees, providing an objective and comprehensive viewpoint to clients while focusing on the safety, health, and preservation of trees. To be considered a consulting arborist, an individual should hold a degree in a related field such as environmental horticulture, arboriculture, urban forestry, plant pathology, entomology, forestry, or plant biology. Additionally, a consulting arborist should hold professional credentials such as International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) as established by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of ISA (or equivalent), be a registered Consulting Arborist through the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), or hold credentials through the Society of American Foresters.

When to contact? If you suspect a tree on your property may be hazardous, unhealthy, or diseased and want a qualified and objective opinion, it is best to contact an independent consulting arborist, such as Tree Frog LLC, who is not affiliated with a tree cutting or removal service. Tree removal can be expensive, and tree service companies generate revenue by removing trees. In some cases, unethical operators may recommend unnecessary removals or outdated pruning practices that can actually increase the likelihood of tree or limb failure. An independent consulting arborist provides an honest, objective risk rating or health assessment, allowing tree owners and risk managers to make informed decisions about the future of their trees.

If you are considering removing a tree from your property, it is important to understand applicable municipal and county tree codes. A permit, or at minimum a formal notification, is typically required. Unless specifically stated otherwise, tree service companies are generally not responsible for obtaining permits, and it is the responsibility of the tree owner or risk manager to ensure all approvals are in place before work begins. Failure to follow local regulations can result in penalties or fines. A consulting arborist can assist with navigating this process, preparing the required documentation, submitting permit applications, and providing guidance on any replanting or mitigation requirements.

SERVICES

Consulting I provide professional arboricultural consulting to help identify trees on your property, evaluate their health, assess potential risk, and develop practical recommendations based on experience, education, and industry standards. Consulting services may be provided as a verbal consultation or as a written assessment, depending on project needs.

Tree Risk Assessment Trees are valuable assets to homes, developments, and communities. In some situations, however, a tree may pose a risk to people or property. Working with an ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor helps ensure those risks are properly evaluated and managed. A tree risk assessment determines whether a tree presents an unacceptable level of risk and whether mitigation or removal should be considered.

An ISA qualified tree risk assessment uses a standardized and systematic process to evaluate tree risk. The results provide tree owners and risk managers with clear, defensible information to support informed decisions that enhance safety while preserving tree health, benefits, and longevity whenever possible.

Tree Inventory Reporting Many municipalities require a tree inventory report as part of pre construction site planning and development review. A Tree Frog LLC tree inventory report includes all required data, documentation, and analysis, along with recommendations based on applicable municipal codes and ordinances.

Services Also Include Additional services include written arborist reports, development site planning support, tree protection and removal plans, replanting and mitigation plans, permit preparation and review, assistance navigating municipal and county tree codes, and general environmental consulting. I also provide limited ornamental and fruit tree pruning on a selective basis when scheduling allows.

Andy Crossett, Consulting Arborist
Certified Professional Horticulturist, ISA Certified Arborist,
ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor

My career in the horticulture industry began in 2002 at a local landscaping company in Bellevue, Washington, where I gained early hands on experience in residential and commercial landscapes. While working in the field, I pursued formal education and later graduated from Lake Washington Institute of Technology in 2011 with a degree in Environmental Horticulture. Following graduation, I completed the International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist exam, earned the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association Certified Professional Horticulturist credential, and obtained my Tree Risk Assessment Qualification in 2013.

Following my formal training, I worked for the City of Bellevue in the Street Tree and Irrigation Department, gaining experience with municipal tree management, public infrastructure, and regulatory processes. I later served as the head gardener for a large private estate in Medina, Washington, where I was responsible for the ongoing care, evaluation, and management of mature trees and landscaped grounds.

I founded Tree Frog LLC in 2013 and transitioned to full time consulting in 2017. I currently serve as the Tree Consultant for the City of Medina and have also provided consulting arborist services for the Town of Yarrow Point. In addition, I prepare arborist reports and provide consulting services for a wide range of residential, municipal, and development clients throughout the region.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and caring for the animals on our small hobby farm, which is located on a ten acre forested property and provides firsthand experience managing a wooded landscape.

Education

Lake Washington Institute of Technology - Associates Degree, Environmental Horticulture

My education in the horticulture program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology's emphasized hands on, applied learning alongside a strong academic foundation. Coursework focused on botany, plant propagation, greenhouse management, soils, pruning, pest and disease management, landscape design, turf grass management, and plant identification, with an emphasis on practical field experience and real world application. This training provided a solid understanding of plant biology, cultural practices, and diagnostic skills that continue to inform my work as a consulting arborist.

Credentials

Certified Professional Horticulturist through the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association #2537

In 1978, WSNLA created a two pronged professional certification program that was known as the Washington Certified Nurseryman or Washington Certified Landscaper. In 2005, WSNLA revamped and upgraded the certification program and renamed the designation as Certified Horticultural Professional. With nearly 400 Certified Professional Horticulturists, the CPH program is the largest community of state certifications serving professional horticulturists in Washington State.

To earn the WSNLA Certified Professional Horticulturist credential, candidates must pass a comprehensive written exam that evaluates professional horticultural knowledge, practical skills, and application of industry standards. In addition, candidates are required to document the equivalent of one year of qualifying work experience, defined as 2,000 hours with a licensed nursery, landscape contractor, or WSNLA approved business or institution.

Certified Arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, through the International Society of Arboriculture #PN-7375A.

To earn the ISA Certified Arborist credential, an individual must demonstrate broad knowledge and training across all aspects of arboriculture. Eligibility requires a minimum of three years of full time, practical work experience in arboriculture, or a combination of qualifying experience and formal education in arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited institution. The certification covers a wide range of subject areas, reflecting the diverse nature of the arboricultural profession. ISA Certified Arborists are also held to a professional code of ethics, which supports the credibility and reliability of the credential. The ISA Certified Arborist program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and meets the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17024 standard.

Member, American Society of Consulting Arborists

The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) represents experienced consulting arborists who provide comprehensive, objective expertise focused on tree safety, health, and preservation. ASCA members are recognized for their advanced knowledge and professional judgment and are frequently relied upon by property owners, municipalities, designers, attorneys, and other arborists for complex tree related decisions.

Membership in ASCA requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in arboriculture, along with meeting at least one additional qualification. These include holding a four year degree in arboriculture or a closely related field such as urban forestry, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, forestry, or plant biology, achieving Board Certified Master Arborist status, or completing a minimum of 240 approved continuing education units.

Continued Education

Trees and the Law | Report Writing for Arborists | Defensible Tree Appraisal | Developing Field Assessment Skills for Common PNW Tree Diseases | Climbing Safety Case Studies | WSNLA PROseries seminar Pest & Disease | Tree Disorder Diagnosis Online Workshop & Live Discussion | Why Trees Fail Online Workshop & Live Discussion | Arbor Chat: A Deep Dive Into the ISA Certified Arborist Code of Ethics | Diagnosis & Disorder: General Diagnosis | Tree Biology: Anatomy | Arbor Chat: Coronet cuts, The simulation of natural fractures | Tree root physiology and urban soils, can’t we just all get along? | Arboricultural Zombies: Myths That Will Not Die | Forged in Fire: Arborist Options Before & After the Fire | Forest Health Watch: Working together to monitor, study and understand tree health issues in Pacific Northwest | Tree insect pest diagnosis and management | Homeowner knowledge and perceptions of tree care and preservation on residential properties | Managing the Trees Where People Live for Resiliency | Regenerative Pruning: Research on Overextended Trees, Practice on Hollow Trees | Machine Generated Report Writing | Tools We Use | Putting the MD Back in Tree Doctor | Building a Resilient Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Program in Rural Municipalities | Ethical Tree Care in the Urban Interface | What’s pesky in the PNW… And what could be on its way? | Coping with heat: Community urban forest perspectives and experiences in Vancouver, Canada | Advancing Urban Forestry in the Pacific Northwest | Root Pruning | The Influence of Abiotic Factors on Street Tree Condition and Mortality in a Commercial-Retail Streetscape | Arborists and Wildlife: Retaining Trees for Wildlife Habitat | Tree Inventories | Biology and Identification of Fungi | Wood Decay Fungi Identification and Management | Container Type Affects Root Development | Tree Lightning Protection Systems | Advanced Tree Identification | Wood Chips and Compost Improve Soil Quality and Increase Growth of Acer rubrum and Betula nigra in Compacted Urban Soil | A Review of Spatial Variation of Allergenic Tree Pollen | The Cost of Not Maintaining the Urban Forest | Impacts of Wire Basket Retention and Removal | Effects of Root Severance by Excavation on Two Urban Tree Species | An Introduction to Arboricultural Biomechanics: How Arboricultural Practices Influence the Likelihood of Failure | Virtual Event Flashback: Quantifying Climbing Efficiency | Tree Stability Management: Monitoring & Treating Growth Forms and Faults | Rules of Effective Community Engagement in Urban Forestry | Extension Agents' Perceptions, Practices, and Needs of Urban Forestry | Green Enough? Comparing Urban Forest Access to Resident Preferences | Are trees always good? Ecosystem disservices and urban forests | Planning and managing green cities for human health and well being | Socio-political Drivers of Urban Tree Diversity and Composition: Development, Symbolism, and Stratification | Urban Tree Inventories: The A to Z of counting trees | Bat Sheet Crazy: How Sheet Mulches Damage Soil and Tree Health | The Skilled Professional: Arborists and Urban Foresters' Engagement in the Non Profit Sector | Plant Diagnostics: Beginning Inspection of the Hidden 50% | TCIA Certified A300 Writing Pruning Specifications 3/6/24 - 3/6/29 | The Urban Forest Myth