INDEPENDENT EXPERTISE. ROOTED IN SCIENCE.
Clarity for Decisions That Affect Trees.
Independent arboricultural consulting grounded in science, experience, and professional judgment. Helping property owners, communities, and project teams understand tree risk, health, preservation, and management.
ISA Certified Arborist | Tree Risk Assessment Qualified | CTSP
Based in Issaquah, Washington | Serving Puget Sound

Independent Expertise. Informed Decisions.
Trees influence property safety, development decisions, environmental quality, and long-term landscape management. Understanding their condition and significance requires more than a visual opinion.
CRITICAL provides objective, professional assessments and practical recommendations supported by arboricultural science, industry standards, and experience.
Our work is focused exclusively on consulting, evaluation, documentation, and planning—not tree removal or maintenance services.

Risk. Health. Planning.

Risk
Tree risk assessments, hazard evaluations, structural condition assessments, and professional documentation to support informed decisions.
Explore Risk Services

Health
Tree health evaluations, pest and disease diagnostics, decline assessments, and practical management recommendations.
Explore Health Services

Planning
Tree preservation, development consulting, construction impacts, municipal permitting, and long-term tree management.
Explore Planning Services
Professional Arboricultural Consulting
Tree Risk Assessments
Professional evaluations of tree condition, structural characteristics, potential failure modes, targets, and site factors using appropriate assessment methods.
Arborist Reports
Written technical assessments documenting observations, findings, limitations, and recommendations for property owners, project teams, and municipal review.
Independent and Third-Party Assessments
Objective evaluations to assist with property concerns, professional disagreements, tree-related decisions, and independent review.
Tree Health Assessments
Evaluation of tree vigor, decline symptoms, site conditions, and potential contributing factors.
Pest and Disease Diagnosis
Investigation of suspected insects, pathogens, physiological disorders, and environmental stressors.
Plant Health Care Consulting
Science-based recommendations for preventive care, integrated pest management, and long-term tree health.
Tree Inventories and Management Plans
Tree population documentation, condition assessments, prioritization, and strategic planning for residential communities and managed properties.
Tree Preservation Plans
Identification of retained trees, preservation priorities, and protection strategies during development.
Tree Protection and Critical Root Zone Consulting
Assessment of potential impacts from excavation, grading, trenching, construction access, and other site disturbances.
Construction and Development Consulting
Coordination with project teams to evaluate tree constraints and opportunities throughout design and construction.
Municipal Permit Support
Arboricultural assessments and documentation supporting applications and regulatory review under applicable local tree codes.
HOA and Commercial Property Consulting
Independent tree management guidance for shared landscapes, common areas, and commercial properties.

Expertise for Properties, Communities, and Projects
Objective assessments and professional documentation tailored to the needs of each client and project.

Residential Property Owners
Understand a concerning tree, assess health or structural condition, and explore preservation options. Receive clear recommendations for property decisions and local permit requirements.
HOAs and Community Associations
Establish a consistent approach to shared trees through inventories, risk prioritization, maintenance guidance, and long-term management planning.
Commercial Property Managers
Evaluate tree conditions across managed landscapes, document concerns, and prioritize practical actions within property management objectives.
Developers and Builders
Identify tree constraints early, assess construction impacts, and develop preservation and protection strategies for design and construction.
Architects and Landscape Architects
Integrate tree information into site planning, assess critical root zones, and coordinate retention priorities with project objectives.
Municipal and Public Sector Clients
Support tree inventories, field evaluations, condition assessments, and documentation for public landscapes and planning.
Attorneys and Real Estate Professionals
Obtain independent assessments and clear technical documentation to inform tree-related property questions and professional review.
Qualified. Independent. Accountable.
CRITICAL is led by John Cvikota, a consulting arborist with experience in tree assessment, municipal tree inventories, arboricultural planning, and navigating tree regulations throughout the Puget Sound region.
ISA Certified Arborist — PN-9483A | ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified — TRAQ | Certified Treecare Safety Professional — CTSP
Our approach combines field-based observation, technical analysis, and clear communication to support practical, defensible recommendations.
A Clear Process. A Useful Outcome.
01
— Inquiry
Tell us about the property, tree concern, or project.
02
— Site Assessment
We evaluate the relevant trees, site conditions, and project objectives.
03
— Analysis
Findings are interpreted using accepted arboricultural principles and applicable professional standards.
04
— Recommendations & Documentation
Receive clear recommendations and, when included in the agreed scope, professional reports or supporting documentation.

Rooted in the Pacific Northwest.
Based in Issaquah, CRITICAL provides arboricultural consulting throughout the greater Puget Sound region, including Bellevue, Sammamish, Mercer Island, Redmond, Kirkland, Newcastle, Renton, Seattle, Snoqualmie, North Bend, and surrounding communities.
Consulting for larger regional or specialized projects is available by arrangement.
Make the Next Decision With Confidence.
Whether you’re evaluating a concerning tree, planning construction, navigating municipal requirements, or managing a larger tree population, independent expertise can help establish a clear path forward.

© 2026 CRITICAL Arboricultural Consulting LLC. All rights reserved.