Horticultural Arboricultural Expert Witness

Expert Witness No. 1621

Career Objectives

Since 1984, horticultural and arboricultural diagnostics, research, insurance investigation, expert witness work and professional consultation and documentation in all phases of horticulture and arboriculture.  I provide a broad range of technical and advisory services for professionals in the California Landscape industry: architects, contractors, golf courses, growers, nursery industry, maintenance, planners, and municipalities.  Also: attorneys, insurance companies, utilities, private individuals and others requiring horticultural expertise.

Formal Education

• Master of Science in Plant Protection & Pest Management, University of California, Davis.  Special emphasis in ornamentals and urban pest control.  1983.
• Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Concentration in Pest & Disease Management.  1981.
  

Licenses / Certificates

• Certified Professional Horticulturist, American Society for Horticultural Science, May 2003
• Registered Consulting Arborist, American Society of Consulting Arborists, (Since 1990)
• Board-Certified Master Arborist, BInternational Society of Arboriculture (ISA Certified Arborist Since 1986, Board-Certified since 4/2006).
• California Agricultural Pest Control Adviser License:Insects, Weeds, and Plant Pathogens, Vertebrates, Nematodes. 1978 to Present
• Certified Forensic Consultant (since 10/05), American College of Forensic Examiners
• California Community College Lifetime Instructor Credential, Horticulture, Since 1985.
• Women Minority Business Enterprise, Certification
• State of California Small Business Certification
• LEED Certified Green Associate
  

Employment History Since Graduation

• Independent Consulting Arborist & Horticulturist April 1984 to Present
• Present Long Term Contracts
• Town Consulting Arborist, Los Gatos, California.  October 2010.
• Palo Alto Unified School District (Consulting Arborist for development projects and arborist services in general for District facilities) June 2010
• County of Santa Clara (Consulting Arborist for development projects) June 2010
• Town Consulting Arborist, Monte Sereno, California, 2002
  

Past Long Term Contracts

• Auditor/Evaluator, PG&E Line Clearance Study, 1994-1998 (for Phytosphere Research, Inc.)
• Staff Horticulturist, EnviroScapes Landscape Maintenance Co., Inc. 2001 – 2009
• Los Gatos Town arborist, 2002 – 2004
• South Bay Water Recycling/City of San Jose.  Consulting Horticulturist related to recycled irrigation water.  January 2009
  

Awards

• Leopold Edwards Wrasse Agricultural Scholarship for California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.  1978-79.
• California Association of Nurserymen Peninsula Chapter Scholarship for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.  1980-81.
• Pi Alpha Xi National Ornamental Horticulture Fraternity, Upsilon Chapter.
  

Professional & Trade Organizations 

• American College of Forensic Examiners
• American Society of Consulting Arborists – (member of Document Review Committee (1996 – 1998) Information Services committee (chair in 1994, mentor since 1999)).
• American Society for Horticultural Science
• Bay Area Landscape Supervisor’s Forum (Chair 1991)
• Cactus and Succulent Society of America
• California Native Grass Association
• California Native Plant Society
• International Palm Society
• International Society of Arboriculture member 88-1709
• California Tree Failure Report Program contributor (Univ. of Calif. since 1988)
• International Palm Society
• United States Green Building Council
  

Community Activities

• Go Native Garden Tour garden contributor & docent, Calif. Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Valley Water District, 2004, 2006, and 2007.
• Mid-peninsula Open Space District trail patrol volunteer (1997-2005)
• International Society of Arboriculture Tour des Trees 2000 rider/fundraiser Williamsburg VA to Baltimore MD. July 29 - August 6, 2000.
• Santa Clara County Fair Floriculture Div. Exhibitor: Cacti & Succulents Division 1976 - 1990.
• Landscape Advisor to the Site & Architectural Review Committee of City of Campbell, Calif. (volunteer position, 1985 - 1989).
• Northern California Xeriscape Conference Planning Committee (1987).

Major Research Projects

• 1994 – 1998 Pacific Gas & Electric Co.  Line Clearance Trimming Study
• 1994 – 1998 Staking on Tree Growth & Structure.  Univ. Calif. Cooperative Ext., Marin Co.
• 2003 – 2004 Research trial of antagonistic fungus product against the soilborne disease, Armillaria mellea.
• 2010 - Present Sonic & electric tomography imaging and data for various California tree species; database library of images by species, also velocity ranges of various species.
  

Articles Written, Publications Contributed To, Reference Citations, Photographs Published

Available Upon Request

Seminars, Speaking Engagements, Displays

Available Upon Request