
When legal questions involve trees, emotions often run high — but the answers depend on science, evidence, and expertise. As a Consultant for Tree Law, I help attorneys, insurers, municipalities, and property owners navigate complex tree-related disputes with professionalism, precision, and honesty. My name is Marty Shaw, Certified Arborist and owner of Green Season Consulting.
​
I’m based in Tennessee and serve clients across the United States. My work bridges the gap between arboriculture and the law — helping you interpret the facts, understand liability, and present clear, defensible evidence when trees become part of legal or insurance cases.
​
Whether your case involves property damage, boundary conflicts, negligence claims, or questions about the value of a tree, I provide the technical insight and expert documentation needed to support your position with confidence.
​
​
The Role of a Consultant for Tree Law
As a Consultant for Tree Law, my role is to bring scientific understanding into legal clarity. Trees may seem silent, but they record their history — in their rings, roots, wounds, and structure. My work is to interpret that evidence and explain it in a way that holds up under legal scrutiny.
​
I provide consulting services for attorneys, insurers, property managers, developers, and private landowners in cases involving:
-
Tree failure and property damage
-
Root and branch encroachment disputes
-
Negligence and duty-of-care evaluations
-
Tree valuation and loss of value assessments
-
Construction and grading impacts
-
Municipal tree ordinances and violations
-
Insurance disputes involving tree-related incidents
My consulting work helps you make informed, evidence-based decisions — whether you’re preparing for trial, mediation, or settlement discussions.
​
​
Why Hire a Consultant for Tree Law
When you hire me as your Consultant for Tree Law, you gain more than an opinion — you gain a reliable interpretation of facts grounded in professional arboriculture and legal awareness.
​
My approach is built on three principles:
​
1. Objectivity. I don’t take sides. I interpret the evidence fairly and explain what it truly shows.
2. Expertise. As a Certified Arborist, I understand both tree biology and how it intersects with liability and property law.
3. Communication. I translate technical findings into clear language that attorneys, judges, and juries can understand.
Attorneys rely on me to simplify complex arboricultural evidence and ensure that every report, photograph, or site observation aligns with professional standards. My consulting has helped both plaintiffs and defendants achieve faster, fairer resolutions in disputes that otherwise could have dragged on for months or years.
​
​
Common Legal Issues That Require a Consultant for Tree Law
Trees often stand at the center of property disputes and liability claims. As a Consultant for Tree Law, I provide clarity in situations where ownership, responsibility, or negligence are in question.
​
Here are some of the most common cases I’m asked to consult on:
​
Tree Damage and Liability
When a tree fails or damages a neighboring property, the question becomes: Was it foreseeable? I assess decay, structure, and maintenance records to determine whether the damage resulted from negligence or natural causes.
​
Boundary and Encroachment Disputes
Roots and branches can cause damage beyond property lines, leading to legal conflict. I evaluate whether the affected property owner’s rights were infringed upon and help clarify who bears maintenance responsibility.
​
Construction and Development Conflicts
Tree preservation during development is critical. Improper excavation, grading, or soil compaction can lead to decline or death years later. I assess whether a construction project followed best management practices and identify where responsibility lies.
​
Negligence and Duty of Care
Property owners and municipalities have a legal duty to inspect and maintain trees that may pose hazards. I evaluate inspection records, pruning history, and overall tree condition to determine if that duty was met.
​
Tree Valuation and Appraisal
When a tree is lost, damaged, or removed, it carries real monetary value. I use the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) guidelines to assign fair, defensible value based on species, size, condition, and contribution to the property.
​
Insurance and Risk Management
Insurance disputes often arise over whether a loss was preventable. My evaluations provide the technical clarity adjusters and property owners need to reach an informed decision.
​
​
The Intersection of Arboriculture and Law
Tree law cases are complex because they require understanding both biology and legal principles. As a Consultant for Tree Law, I interpret arboricultural evidence within a legal framework.
​
I help legal professionals understand:
-
How tree failure mechanisms relate to negligence
-
What standards of care apply to tree maintenance
-
How value loss is determined and documented
-
How environmental conditions impact tree stability
-
What qualifies as foreseeable versus unforeseeable damage
My goal is to provide context and clarity so that your case stands on solid, factual ground. When evidence is organized and explained properly, it becomes much easier to demonstrate causation, responsibility, and value in a courtroom setting.
​
​
What Sets Me Apart as a Consultant for Tree Law
Not every arborist understands the demands of legal work. Testifying in court or preparing for litigation requires accuracy, impartiality, and clear communication.
​
As your Consultant for Tree Law, I bring:
-
Certification and Experience. I’m a Certified Arborist with years of experience in forensic arboriculture and risk assessment.
-
Legal Understanding. I’m familiar with how evidence must be collected, documented, and presented in accordance with legal procedure.
-
Professional Integrity. I provide unbiased consulting — whether my findings favor one side or the other.
-
Courtroom Readiness. I’ve worked alongside attorneys, insurance firms, and municipalities to prepare testimony and documentation that withstands cross-examination.
I don’t speculate; I analyze. Every report I produce is supported by measurable data, professional observation, and verifiable standards.
​
​
Evidence and Documentation
Every tree-related case begins with evidence. As a Consultant for Tree Law, I collect and review detailed documentation to determine the facts with precision.
​
Evidence often includes:
-
Site photographs and inspection notes
-
Tree structure and decay analysis
-
Core sampling and growth ring studies
-
Soil compaction and grading impact assessments
-
Maintenance and pruning history
-
Boundary and property surveys
-
Weather data and environmental conditions at the time of failure
Each piece of evidence tells part of the story. My consulting work connects those pieces into a clear, defensible conclusion that supports your legal position.
​
​
Supporting Attorneys and Legal Teams
Attorneys turn to me as their Consultant for Tree Law because I help translate scientific findings into actionable legal insight. I assist with report preparation, deposition strategy, and cross-examination of opposing witnesses.
​
I can help you:
-
Identify weaknesses in opposing expert reports
-
Determine whether proper standards of care were followed
-
Prepare exhibits and visual documentation for trial
-
Explain arboricultural evidence in plain, relatable terms
My experience allows me to anticipate opposing arguments and prepare your team with the clarity needed to respond effectively.
​
​
The Benefits of Early Involvement
In tree-related legal matters, time is critical. Once a tree is removed, pruned, or affected by weather, evidence can be permanently lost. Engaging a Consultant for Tree Law early in your case preserves the details necessary to prove or defend a claim.
​
By consulting early, I can:
-
Document the site before conditions change
-
Collect physical and photographic evidence
-
Recommend relevant legal and technical documents to obtain
-
Prevent costly errors in early case assessment
The sooner the facts are documented, the stronger and more defensible your case becomes.
​
​
The Science That Supports Every Case
Trees record everything that happens to them — growth, stress, decay, and injury. As a Consultant for Tree Law, I read those records like a history book.
​
By examining growth rings, root structure, decay patterns, and environmental context, I determine what caused a tree’s failure or decline and whether it could have been prevented. Every conclusion I reach is based on scientific evidence, not opinion.
​
This scientific foundation ensures that my findings hold up under scrutiny, giving your case the credibility it deserves.
​
​
Why Clients Nationwide Trust Green Season Consulting
I’ve worked with attorneys, municipalities, and property owners across the country, providing tree law consulting that is thorough, honest, and reliable. Clients trust me because I combine deep arboricultural knowledge with an understanding of how to present it effectively in legal contexts.
​
I understand the nuances of state laws, municipal codes, and environmental conditions that impact trees in regions like Texas, Georgia, Florida, and beyond. My experience allows me to adapt my consulting to meet the needs of your specific case, wherever it’s located.
​
​
Integrity, Professionalism, and Clarity
My reputation as a Consultant for Tree Law is built on professionalism and integrity. I don’t overstate or speculate — I present the truth, backed by evidence and experience. Every conclusion I provide is made with complete transparency and respect for both the legal process and the natural world.
​
When I take on a case, I do it with care, precision, and purpose. I know that my findings can impact real people, properties, and outcomes — and I take that responsibility seriously.
​
​
Hire Marty Shaw, Green Season Consulting — Your Consultant for Tree Law
When trees become the center of a legal dispute, you need clarity, not confusion. As your Consultant for Tree Law, I bring decades of experience, scientific insight, and professional ethics to your case.
​
I’m Marty Shaw with Green Season Consulting, based in Tennessee and serving clients across the United States. Whether your case involves property damage, negligence, valuation, or boundary disputes, I can help you uncover the truth and present it with confidence.
​
Contact Green Season Consulting today to hire your trusted Consultant for Tree Law — and ensure your case stands on solid ground.

