Question
Hi Jim.

I contacted you late last October about a sycamore tree being in my front yard and my HOA not permitting me to remove it.  

I went to my city's arborist, and they repeated much of what you said, but they refuse to write it down so that I may show the board what a tree expert says.  The city arborist gave me some phone numbers for arborists in the area, but the HOA board refuses to pay for it.

I was wondering if you knew of any certified arborist who would look at my neighborhood and give their opinion in writing so that I may show them a professionals opinion with little or no pay.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Wade

Answer
You might check with the State Forestry agency and ask if they have an urban forester and he/she could provide you with this information. Urban Foresters help cities-HOA deciding which tree is best for their sites. This service is free. Their number should be in your local phone book. Or here is a web link to the association of Sate Foresters with a link to the state web sites. http://www.stateforesters.org/about_nasf

Here is the web link to the Certified Arborist also. http://www.isa-arbor.com/findArborist/findarborist.aspx