Michael Colman, BCMA, TRAQ, MCA, MCLP Board Certified Master Arborist & Tree Expert

Professional Experience

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving Arboricultural, Botanical, and Horticultural issues.

Arboricultural; tree failures including branch, trunk, sudden branch drop, uproot and others. Tree inventory practices, pruning practices, cutting practices, equipment use and operation, tree risk assessment practices, tree-root-hardscape interface, tree appraisals, wood decay, wound closure, and wood identification

Botanical; algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, ferns, conifers, broad-leaved evergreens, and deciduous plant material

Horticulture: soil conditions leading to plant failure, plant identification, plant selection, plant value determinations, planting and establishing plants, fruit & nut drop management, landscape design, work and business practices, fertility and pesticide use, weed control, maintenance, site drainage, herbicide injury, irrigation practices, and methods including organic and conventional means.

Providing consultation services to assess general tree and landscape plant health, Identification of insect and disease issues, Project supervision/oversight, Tree Risk Assessments, Tree Appraisals along with development of strategic management plans in an effort to preserve client’s investments.

Developed and implemented strategic management plans for the care of landscape plants with clients in both residential and commercial settings.

Identified, evaluated, and managed hazard trees, communication and understanding of risk with clients, assessed structural pruning needs, managed insects and diseases, plant tissue and soil analysis, soil amendment management, tree and shrub planting/transplanting plans, root collar excavations and noxious weed management.

Developed and implemented strategic management plans for the care of landscape plants with clients in both residential and commercial settings.

Identified, evaluated, and managed hazard trees, communication and understanding of risk with clients, assessed structural pruning needs, managed insects and diseases, plant tissue and soil analysis, soil amendment management, tree and shrub planting/transplanting plans, root collar excavations and noxious weed management.

Developed and implemented a company safety program.

Developed and implemented strategic management plans for the care of landscape plants with clients in both residential and commercial settings.

Identified, evaluated, and managed hazard trees, communication and understanding of risk with clients, assessed structural pruning needs, managed insects and diseases, plant tissue and soil analysis, soil amendment management, tree and shrub planting/transplanting plans, root collar excavations and noxious weed management.

Developed and implemented strategic management plans for the care of landscape plants with clients in both residential and commercial settings.

Identified, evaluated, and managed hazard trees, communication and understanding of risk with clients, assessed structural pruning needs, managed insects and diseases, plant tissue and soil analysis, soil amendment management, tree and shrub planting/transplanting plans, root collar excavations and noxious weed management.

Developed and implemented strategic management plans for the care of landscape plants with clients in both residential and commercial settings.

Identified, evaluated, and managed hazard trees, communication and understanding of risk with clients, assessed structural pruning needs, managed insects and diseases, plant tissue and soil analysis, soil amendment management, tree and shrub planting/transplanting plans, root collar excavations and noxious weed management.

Developed and implemented strategic management plans for the care of landscape plants with clients in both residential and commercial settings. Responsible for the management of a satellite office and accompanying field employees.

Identified, evaluated, and managed hazard trees, communication and understanding of risk with clients, assessed structural pruning needs, managed insects and diseases, plant tissue and soil analysis, soil amendment management, tree and shrub planting/transplanting plans, root collar excavations and noxious weed management.

Field experience: tree identification, insect and disease diagnosis, tree climbing, tree and shrub pruning, tree removal, aerial lift and equipment operation, tree and shrub planting, tree and shrub fertilization, tree spraying and turf management.

Professional Credentials

• Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) International Society of Arboriculture
• ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) #NE-1002B, International Society of Arboriculture
• Massachusetts Certified Arborist (MCA) #2082, Massachusetts Arborist Association
• Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator- Commercial Certification, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional (MCLP) #1522, Examining Board of Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professionals Rhode Island Licensed Arborist, Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management
• Maine First Class Landscape Arborist
• Maine Class Utility Arborist

Continuing Education

• Applications for Biochar for Arboriculture, International Society of Arboriculture February 2020
• Pesticide Best Management Practices: Protecting the Environment and the Applicator, Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources. January 2020
• Right-of-Way Herbicide Applications and Developing a Vegetation Management Plan, Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources. January 2020
• Trees & Shrubs in the Landscape: 2019 Disease Review, UMass Extension, January 2020
• Insect Pests of 2019: the Old, the New and the Odd, UMass Extension, January 2020
• Pruning Cuts: Best Management Practices--Tree Pruning, 3rd Edition, International Society of Arboriculture, December 2019
• Pruning Systems: Best Management Practices-Tree Pruning, 3rd Edition, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2019
• Root Management: Challenges on Urban Sites, International Society of Arboriculture, September 2019
• The Cost Approach: Methods, Techniques and Depreciation, International Society of Arboriculture, September 2019
• Root Pruning: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, September 2019
• Plant Appraisal Data Collection: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, September 2019
• Wood Decay Fungi: Identification and Management, International Society of Arboriculture, June 2019
• Plant Appraisal Data Collection: Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2019
• Plant Appraisal Process, International Society of Arboriculture, April 2019
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification-Full Course, International Society of Arboriculture, Portsmouth, NH, April 2019
• Core Concepts of Plant Appraisal, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2019
• Nursery Production Systems, International Society of Arboriculture, December 2018
• Nursery Production Systems and Their Impact on Urban Tree Growth & Development, International Society of Arboriculture, December 2018 Climbing Gear & Safety Checks, Massachusetts Arborists Association, October 2018
• Root Rot, Really?, Massachusetts Arborists Association, March 2018
• Pruning Fruit Trees, Massachusetts Arborists Association, March 2018
• Understanding Professional Service Contracts, American Society of Consulting Arborists Consulting Academy, February 2018
• Calculating Your Expenses to Manage Budgets and Determine the Structure, American Society of Consulting Arborists Consulting Academy, February 2018
• Consulting Arborist Insurance Needs, American Society of Consulting Arborists Consulting Academy, February 2018
• The Consultant’s Role in Contentious Situations, American Society of Consulting Arborists Consulting Academy, February 2018
• Report Writing, American Society of Consulting Arborists Consulting Academy, February 2018
• Introduction into Forensics, American Society of Consulting Arborists Consulting Academy, February 2018
• Professional Practice Guidelines for Consulting Arborists, American Society of Consulting, Arborists Consulting Academy, February 2018 Significant Species and Minor Creatures of Interest, Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• A Condensed History of Arboriculture, Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• Pests and Pathogens of 2017,
• Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• Wires Down-Operating in Storm Conditions, Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• Anatomy of a Catastrophic Rigging Failure, Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• How Arboricultural Practice Affects the Likelihood of Tree Failure, Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• Forest Health in the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• Utility Arboretums: Demonstrating Sites for “Plan Before You Plant”, Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• Selecting Production Methods That Suit you Urban Planting Objectives, Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association, January 2018
• Root Friendly Planting Site Design, International Society of Arboriculture, September 2017
• Challenges for the Built Environment, International Society of Arboriculture, September 2017
• Tree Risk Assessment: A Foundation, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2017
• Wildfire and the Role of the Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2017
• Palms: Woody Giants of the Monocots- Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2017
• Plant Health Care and Diagnostics, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2017
• Vines and Utility Arboriculture, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2017
• Electrical Hazards Awareness Program, North American Training Solutions, March 2017
• Emergency Response and Aerial Rescue, North American Training Solutions, March 2017
• The Linear Index of Tree Appraisal Model, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2017
• Tree Injection: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2017
• Basic Tree Plumbing: Translocation, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2017
• Understanding Tree Responses to Stress Complexes, International Society of Arboriculture, December 2016
• What Does Pulling Apart Red Oaks Tell Us About Tree Failure, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Mock Deposition, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Human Nature: Urban Ecology, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Cascades of Tree Response and Recovery Following Injury, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Developing an Urban Context to Service Life Expectations for Canopy Management Planning, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Million Tree Program: Now What?, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Trees and Pavement as Linked Infrastructure Within a Larger Stormwater Management Plan, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Alternative Management Tactics and Materials in a Post- Neonicotinoid Era, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016 Heterogeneity in Urban Ecology, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Problem Solving Strategies for Compacted Soils, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2016
• Climate Change and the Impact on Tree- Insect Interactions, Massachusetts Arborists Association, November 2016
• Restoration Pruning After Storms, Massachusetts Arborists Association, November 2016
• New Management Strategies & Planting Practices in the Urban Forest, Massachusetts Arborists Association, November 2016
• Tree Lightning Protection Systems: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, November 2016
• Preserving Trees During Construction, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2016
• Tree Lightning Protection Systems: Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2016
• Plant Health Care Workshop, Dr. Michael Raupp, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2016
• Tree Injection: Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, April 2016
• Bark Traits are Important for Tree Health and Survival, International Society of Arboriculture, April 2016
• Safety First: Tips to Help Prevent Job Site Injuries, Massachusetts Arborists Association, March 2016
• Gypsy Moth and Winter Moth: Expectations and Management Strategies for the 2016
• Season, Massachusetts Arborists Association, March 2016
• Safety Starts at the Top, Massachusetts Arborists Association, December 2015
• What’s Wrong with this Tree?, Massachusetts Arborists Association, December 2015
• Tree Climbers and the Z133, Massachusetts Arborists Association, October 2015
• How Critters use Bark & Wood as Food, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• American Mistletoe: Kissing Under a Parasite, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• Identifying Wood Decay & Wood Decay Fungi in Urban Trees, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• Adventitious Roots: Occurrence & Management in Urban Trees, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• Problems Related to pH, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• Plant Traits that Resemble Abiotic Disorders, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• Palms: Not Just for the Tropics, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• The Arboricultural Misfits: The Biological Classification, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• Classified: Conifers & Yews, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2015
• Best Practices for Spraying this Season, Massachusetts Arborists Association, May 2015
• Biology and Assessment of Callus and Woundwood, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2015
• Tree Reduction, Retrenchment, Topping: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2015
• Structural Pruning of Young and Medium Aged Trees: The Hows and Whys, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2015
• Trees and Turf: Can We Get Along?, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2015
• Bleeding Cankers & other Game Changers for Tree Health in the Northeast, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2015 Symbiosis of Parasites and Epiphytes, International Society of Arboriculture, December 2014
• First Aid for Tree Care Professionals, Massachusetts Arborists Association, November 2014
• Advanced Twig Anatomy: Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, November 2014
• Advanced Twig Anatomy: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2014
• Considerations for Installing Cables in Trees, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2014
• Invasive Diseases and other Stressors Threatening Our Urban Environment, Massachusetts Arborists Association, September 2014
• Managing trees for Wind Stability, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Emerald Ash Borer, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Dendrochronology, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Assessing the Effect of Off-Center Decay on Movement, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Using Finite Element Modeling to Explore Tree Dynamics, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Common Decays & Associated Defects, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Case Study: A Tree Case That Went to Trial & Verdict, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013 T
• The Registered Consulting Arborist Journey, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Working with Municipalities, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Working with Landscape Architects, American Society of Consulting Arborists, December 2013
• Storm Response Part 4: Unique Aspects, International Society of Arboriculture, December 2013
• Overhaul Your Company’s Safety Program, Tree Care Industry Association, October 2013
• Protect Your Assets: Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2013
• Storm Response Part 3, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2013 Storm Response Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2013
• Storm Response Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, June 2013
• Root Management Challenges on Urban Sites: Human Intervention in Root Development, International Society of Arboriculture, June 2013
• Root Management Challenges in Urban Sites, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2013
• Certified Tree Care Safety Professional Training Course, Tree Care Industry Association, March 2013
• Tree Risk Assessment: Structural Defects & Conditions, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2012
• The Latest Diseases Threatening New England Trees, Massachusetts Arborists Association, September 2012
• Tree Risk Assessment: Loads & Growth Response, International Society of Arboriculture, September 2012
• Trees and Their Environment- Back to Basics: Tree Fertilization, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2012
• Trees and Their Environment- Soil Properties: Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2012
• Trees and Their Environment- Soil Properties: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2012
• Trees and Their Environment- Analyze Before Your Fertilize, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2012
• Trees and Their Environment- Slow or Controlled-Release Fertilizers, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2012
• Trees and Their Environment- Flood-Damaged Trees, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2012
• Trees and Their Environment- Fertilizing Trees & Shrubs: Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2012
• Trees and Their Environment- Fertilizing Trees & Shrubs: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2012
• Tree Risk Assessments: Levels of Assessment, International Society of Arboriculture, April 2012
• Planting and Early Care: Planting, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Planting and Early Care: Early Care, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Tree Maintenance: Tree Support Systems, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Tree Maintenance: Fertilization, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Tree Maintenance: Lightning Protection Systems, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Plant Health Care: Basics, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Plant Health Care: Practices, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Plant Health Care: Management, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Soil and Water: Trees & Water, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Soils and Water: Soils, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Risk Assessment and Tree Protection: Trees and Construction, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Risk Assessment and Tree Protection: Risk Assessment, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2012
• Pruning: Principles of Pruning, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Pruning: Practices and Standards, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Tree Identification: Identification Principles, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Tree Identification: Common Genera, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Tree Identification: Selection, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Diagnosis and Disorder: Abiotic Disorders, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Diagnosis and Disorder: General Diagnosis, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Diagnosis and Disorder: Biotic Disorders, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Tree Biology: Physiology, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Tree Biology: Anatomy, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Advanced Pruning Techniques for New England Trees, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2012
• What’s Wrong with That Tree?, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2012
• Qualitative Tree Risk Assessment, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2012
• Winter Moth in New England, Massachusetts Arborists Association, October 2011
• Working the Five-Step Felling Plan, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2011
• Tree Rings and the Local Environment, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2011
• Challenges for the Built Environment, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2011
• Tree Load: Concept, International Society of Arboriculture, April 2011
• Tree Nutrition and Fertilization: Practical Considerations Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, April 2011
• Preventing Chain Saw Injury: The Power of Training, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2011
• Tree Nutrition & Fertilization: Practical Considerations Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2011
• Electrical Knowledge, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2011
• Making Space for Roots: Tree Planting Options in Urban Areas, International Society of Arboriculture, May 2010
• Keep Your Tools Sharp: Honing Your Diagnostic Skills, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2010
• So Long Organochlorines and Hello Neonicotinoids, International Society of Arboriculture, December 2009
• Limbing and Bucking Felled Trees, International Society of Arboriculture, October 2009
• Sap Rot: It Will Let You Down, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2009
• The Benefits of Trees, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2009
• Emergency Response, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2009
• Effect of Root Pruning & Planting Depth on Tree Health, International Society of Arboriculture, July 2009
• Allelopothy in Arboriculture, International Society of Arboriculture, July 2009
• Can Anyone Calculate Tree Stability?, International Society of Arboriculture, July 2009
• Effect of Root Pruning & Planting Depth on Tree Health, International Society of Arboriculture, July 2009
• Managing Tree During Construction: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2009
• Myth Busters: Carpenter Ants in Urban Trees, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2009
• Why Trees Turn Color in Autumn, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2009
• Unraveling the Web of Soil Microbiology, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2009
• Managing Tree During Construction: Part 1, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2009
• Tree Worker Safety: Rigging, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2009
• Tree Worker Safety: Climbing, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2009
• Tree Worker Safety: Safety, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2009
• Integrated Pest Management: Tactics, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2009
• Integrated Vegetation Management: Best Management Practices, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2009
• Managing Risk in the Urban Forest: Part 4, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2008
• Managing Risk in the Urban Forest, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2008
• Arborist Equipment, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2007
• Managing Risk in the Urban Forest: Part 2, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2007
• New and Emerging Plant Diseases, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2007
• Tree Work: It’s High Risk, Not Dangerous, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2007
• Trees, People and Ecosystems, International Society of Arboriculture, February 2007
• Emergency First Aid and CPR for Tree Care Professionals, Massachusetts Arborists Association, November 2006
• Winter Moth and Controlling Beneficials, Massachusetts Arborists Association, September 2006
• Acid Rain: How it Affects Our Forests & Trees, Massachusetts Arborists Association, April 2006
• Designer Sidewalks, International Society of Arboriculture, January 2006
• Planting and Transplanting: Best Management Practices, International Society of Arboriculture, January 2006
• Insect Concerns for 2006, Massachusetts Arborists Association, October 2005
• Caterpillars Gone Wild, Massachusetts Arborists Association, March 2005
• Damage & Disorder: Steps to Proper Diagnosis, International Society of Arboriculture, March 2005
• Moisture & Disease Development in Woody Plants, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2005
• The Aging and Decline of Trees: Connecting Life and Death, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2005
• Rigging Knots, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2004
• Plant Health Care: A More Proactive Approach, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2004
• ANSI: It’s About Saving Lives, International Society of Arboriculture, August 2004
• Managing the Top 3 Exotic Tree Pests, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2004
• Dealing with Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2004
• Gypsy Moth and Browntail Moth: Two Defoliators, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2004
• Soil Microbes, Roots and Plant Growth, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2003
• Planning to Survive: A Drought Protection Primer, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2003
• Soils and the Establishment of Trees, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2003
• Do Stressful Times for Plants Lead to Good Times, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2002
• New Technologies in Biological Disease Control, Massachusetts Arborists Association, February 2002
• Structural Pruning of Mature Shade Trees, Massachusetts Arborists Association, September 2001
• New England Shade Tree Seminar, Massachusetts Arborists Association, July 2001

Professional Memberships

American Society of Consulting Arborists- Member
International Society of Arboriculture
Massachusetts Arborists Association

v. 12/15/21