Brandon Namm, M.S.
I am Brandon Namm, a consulting arborist with 15 years of experience in the field. My background in community and municipal urban forestry gives me a unique view into both the public and private sectors’ perspectives on trees. As the Principal Consultant at Laurelin Tree Consulting LLC., I design tree protection plans, provide tree and plant appraisals, assess tree risk, conduct inventories and advise on management plans.
Much of my work involves helping development projects meet their goals while addressing local urban forestry requirements. I advise private residential and commercial developers building around existing trees and design tree protection plans for public projects such as parks, right of way improvements and utility upgrades.
In addition to consulting on traditional development, we like to work with clients conducting ecological restoration and recreation projects in natural areas. I also collaborate with landscape architects to plant tree species ready to face the challenge of climate change.
Certifications and Qualifications
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist (#799)
ASCA Qualified Tree and Plant Apraiser
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Urban Forestry Specialist WE-10427BM
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Education
Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University). 2012. M.S. Forestry and Wildland Resources.
University of California, Santa Cruz. 2009. B.A. Environmental Studies.
Publications and Presentations
Namm. B. 2025. PNWISA Trees Magazine. Using tree risk assessments to address people’s fear of trees.
Namm B. 2024. PNWISA Trees Magazine. What’s New in ISA’s Root Management BMPs (Second Edition)?
Namm, B. 2024. Pacific Northwest ISA Annual Training Conference. Applying ISA’s Root Management Best Practices and Current Science.
Namm. B.; Gilpin, R. 2024. PNWISA Trees Magazine. When are west coast ash trees suitable for preservation?
Namm, B.H. 2022. Western Chapter ISA Conference. Conserving the Urban Forest while Enhancing Public Infrastructure.
Namm, B.H.; Berrill, J-P. 2020. Open J. For. How do Tree- and Stand-Level Factors Influence Belowground Biomass and Carbon Storage in Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus)? https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/10.5558/tfc2020-007.
Namm, B.H.; Berrill, J-P. 2015. Open J. For. Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) Coarse Root Morphology: Prediction Models for Volume and Biomass of Individual Roots. http://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=61791.
Namm, B.H.; Berrill, J-P. 2012. Accounting for variation in root wood density and percent carbon increases accuracy of belowground carbon estimates. Pp. 293-302 in Standiford, R.B.; Weller, T.J.; Piirto, D.D.; Stuart, J.D. (tech. coords.). Proc. of Coast redwood forests in a changing California: a symposium for scientists and managers. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-238. Albany, CA. 675 p. http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr238/psw_gtr238_293.pdf.
Development and Trees
Project Examples
Public/ Municipal Projects
City of Portland. Columbia Children’s Arboretum construction oversight.
City of Portland. Southeast Portland utility tree protection planning and construction oversight.
City of Silverton. Pettit Reservoir Trail planning and construction oversight.
City of White Salmon. Inventory trees and designed a tree protection plan for water main installation.
ADA compliant curb ramp repair. Washington Cty, OR. Assessed the impacts of rebuilding right of way curb ramps near trees and provided written reports for each location. Assessed impacts following concrete removal to determine trees’ preservability.
Tree Risk Assessment Projects
Hazard tree inventory and risk assessments / ash tree inventory. City of Lake Oswego. Assessed risk and mapped more than 500 trees in natural areas within striking distance of neighboring private properties. Determined tree management options considering Sensitive Lands zoning specifications.
Amaterra Winery. Portland, OR. Applied tree risk assessment procedures to a stand of trees near winery infrastructure following the 2024 ice storm and provided management recommendations.
Vista Hills Condominiums. Portland, OR. Performed tree risk assessment for trees growing uphill of an apartment complex.
7575 Lestlie St. Unincorporated Washington Cty. Performed tree risk assessment for large tree growing near house.
Private Development Projects
Lexus Dealership, Perlo Construction. Vancouver, WA . Provided a Tree, Plant and Soil Protection Plan and tree planting recommendations. Gave the client a tree pruning plan that improved worker access to the building while meeting the City’s Urban Forestry requirements.
NE 13th Avenue Housing Development, Stantec Inc. Portland, OR. Inventoried 13 acre property and provided recommendations to meet the City of Portland’s zoning requirements.
TriMet Substation Redevelopment, Mayer/Reed Inc. Portland, OR. Inventoried trees for substations along TriMet’s red line. Provided tree protection specifications including locations and types of tree protection fencing, soil compaction protection and tree pruning.
Abbey Townhomes, Community Development Partners. Portland, OR. Conducted exploratory excavation to determine preservability of one large Douglas-fir. Provided client with tree protection plan to meet City of Portland Urban Forestry requirements.
4933 NE 20th Ave. Sabin Community Development Corporation (CDC). Portland, OR. Inventory and tree protection planning to meet City of Portland Urban Forestry requirements.
UPS Distribution Center, SilMan Industries. Portland, OR. Inventory, tree protection planning, and landscape drafting to meet City of Portland Urban Forestry and zoning requirements. Oversaw construction to ensure tree’s remained viable following development.
Expert witness reporting/ testimony
Tree Failure Assessment for Insurance Claim, Statewide Insurance. Oakland, OR. Performed a retroactive tree risk assessment to a tree following failure and damage to private property.
Expert witness testimony, Burnside Law Group. Portland, OR. Provided in-person expert witness testimony in front of a jury trial for tree related claim.\