Tree management & preservation plans
Municipalities require different types of arborist reports as part of development projects. We prepare the one yours actually calls for.
Arborist reports for Greater Victoria
Shepherd Tree is a consulting company specializing in arborist reports — for development and permits, tree risk, and the decisions property owners need to get right.
ISA Certified Arborist
TRAQ — Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
16+ years in urban forestry
All 13 CRD municipalities
Consulting services
What we do
We are consultants, not a tree care company. The assessment you get is an independent professional opinion — not a sales pitch for removal or pruning.
Tree inventories
Complete inventories of the trees on a site — species, size, condition and location — documented to the standard your project or municipality requires.
Construction supervision
Arborist supervision of excavations and construction work around trees, so protected trees survive the build and the conditions on your permit are met.
Tree appraisals
Objective valuation of trees — for insurance claims, property transactions, damage disputes or municipal requirements.
Planting consultations
Trying to pick the right trees or shrubs for your garden? Book a site consultation to determine what species will do best in your yard, and for what you want from them. Our arborist looks at soil type, compaction, moisture requirements and other factors to make sure your investment is the right tree in the right place.
Tree risk assessments
Tree risk is a nuanced issue. We give clients objective assessments and advice so they can make informed decisions and sleep soundly at night — no fear mongering necessary.
Why us
Reports are all we do
We know what each municipality wants
We have experience working for municipalities and have worked with all 13 municipalities in the CRD. We know what municipalities require — and, more importantly, what they don't. That saves you money and time upfront, and spares you unnecessary rejection letters and tree protection fencing.
Specialists, not a side hustle
We specialize in creating arborist reports. Some tree care companies offer this on the side between removals and pruning jobs. For us it is the entire business.
Honest information
We pride ourselves on giving clients honest and objective advice about their trees, even if it means we don't make any money. We prefer to sleep soundly at night.
About
Michael Marcucci
Shepherd Tree was founded by Michael Marcucci and is based in the Greater Victoria area in British Columbia. Michael is an ISA Certified Arborist with over 16 years of consulting experience in urban forestry.
He completed an undergraduate degree in Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto and the Urban Forestry Certificate program at Fleming College. Michael has held the International Society of Arboriculture's Tree Risk Assessment Qualification since 2015.
He has a wide range of experience within the urban forestry sector, having worked as a consulting arborist for multiple companies, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations.
Selected projects
- Lead consulting arborist for the Victoria Art Gallery proposed redevelopment (2019)
- Tree risk assessments at the British Columbia Legislature grounds
- Tree risk assessments at the Royal BC Museum
- Tree risk assessments within Saanich School District #61
- ISA Certified Arborist International Society of Arboriculture
- TRAQ — Tree Risk Assessment Qualified International Society of Arboriculture — held since 2015
- Forest Conservation, University of Toronto Undergraduate degree
- Urban Forestry Certificate, Fleming College Post-graduate program
Service area
Greater Victoria — Sooke to Sidney
We work across all thirteen municipalities of the Capital Regional District — from Sooke and the western communities, through the core and the Highlands, up the Saanich Peninsula to Sidney.
Requirements differ from one municipality to the next, and a report written for one bylaw will not always satisfy another. We prepare each report to the standards of the municipality it is going to. If you are not sure whether your property is in range, just ask.
Get in touch
Request a report
Email is the fastest way to reach us. Include the property address, what the report is for, and any deadline you are working against.
Greater Victoria, BC — Sooke to Sidney