Forest Health Assessment
Not sure what your property actually needs? A forest health assessment answers that question honestly.
We walk your entire property, identify what is happening with your trees, flag genuine risks, and give you a prioritized action list. If your forest is in good shape, we will tell you that. If something needs attention before fire season, we will tell you that too — with real specifics instead of a sales pitch.
What You Get From an Assessment
A Forest Health Assessment is a two-hour, on-site evaluation of your property’s current conditions and wildfire risk. By the end of the walkthrough, you will know:
- Beetle activity: Are spruce beetle, Douglas-fir beetle, or mountain pine beetle present? How severe is the infestation, and what is the likely trajectory over the next two to three years?
- Wildfire risk factors: Fuel load, ladder fuels, defensible space gaps, and terrain-specific fire behavior considerations
- Tree health status: Which trees are thriving, which are stressed, and which represent hazards to structures or people
- Priority actions: What needs attention now versus what can wait — and why
- Honest cost estimates: Ballpark pricing for any recommended treatments so you can plan accordingly
Within 48 hours of your assessment, you will receive a written summary of findings and prioritized recommendations. No pressure to book further services — the assessment exists to give you clarity.
Who Should Get a Forest Health Assessment
This assessment is the right starting point if you are:
- A new property owner who wants to understand what you bought, including any deferred wildfire risk
- An absentee or second-home owner who cannot monitor your property regularly and wants professional eyes on it each season
- Anyone who has noticed new dead trees, bark beetle activity, or unusual tree decline on or adjacent to your property
- A property seller looking for documentation of forest health to include in your listing
- An STR operator concerned about guest safety or liability from hazard trees near structures
- Anyone who has been told they need defensible space work and wants an independent, honest assessment of what that actually involves
The Assessment Process
We keep it simple and practical.
- Schedule: Pick a time that works for your schedule. Assessments typically take about two hours on-site.
- Walk the property: We examine your full parcel, looking at tree species composition, beetle activity, fuel load, and structural proximity to hazards.
- Plain-language conversation: We explain what we are seeing as we go. No jargon. No overselling. If something is a serious problem, we will be direct about it.
- Written summary: Within 48 hours, you receive a written assessment with findings and prioritized recommendations.
- Your decision: Use the assessment to make informed choices about your property. There is no obligation to book follow-on services.
Forest Health Assessment Pricing
| Assessment | Price | Best For | What's Included | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Health Assessment Up to 10 acres |
$375 | Residential & second homes | Beetle activity, wildfire risk, tree health, priority actions, written summary within 48 hrs — includes documentation usable for CO HB 1182 insurance risk score appeals | Schedule → |
| Extended Assessment 10–40 acres |
$600 | Ranches & multi-structure | All standard deliverables plus detailed written report and phased treatment planning | Schedule → |
| Large Property Assessment 40+ acres |
Starting at $950 | Estates, HOAs & commercial | Full property analysis, GIS mapping options, phased treatment plans; scope and final pricing confirmed at booking | Get a quote → |
Questions about which assessment is right for your property? Contact us or call (719) 316-9101 — we'll confirm the right tier before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a forest health assessment different from a wildfire risk assessment?
They overlap significantly. Our forest health assessment evaluates both: the overall condition of your trees and forest stand, plus the specific wildfire risk factors present on your property — fuel load, ladder fuels, defensible space gaps, and proximity of hazards to structures. If you want to understand your beetle activity situation specifically, our beetle-kill resource page (/resources/beetle-kill) covers the four pest species currently active in the South Fork and Creede region. You get both forest health and wildfire risk in a single assessment visit.
Do I need an assessment before scheduling mitigation work?
For most properties, yes. The assessment is how we determine what mitigation work is actually warranted, what zones to prioritize, and how to scope the project accurately. If you are already researching what defensible space involves, our defensible space guide walks through the three zones and what treatment at each level entails. The assessment protects you: we do not want to sell you services your property does not need.
How long does a forest health assessment take?
Most assessments take approximately two hours on-site. This varies depending on your property size, terrain complexity, and what we find. A standard residential parcel of five to ten acres typically falls within that two-hour window. Extended assessments for properties of ten to forty acres may take three to four hours. You will know roughly how long to expect when you book based on your acreage.
What does a forest health assessment cost, and is the fee refundable?
A standard Forest Health Assessment for properties up to ten acres is $375. Extended assessments for ten to forty acres are $600. For properties of forty or more acres, pricing starts at $950 — contact us to confirm scope and final cost. The assessment fee is credited toward any mitigation project you book within 90 days. Your written assessment report also serves as documentation under Colorado HB 1182 (effective July 2026), which allows property owners to formally appeal their wildfire risk score with insurance carriers.
What happens if my property needs urgent attention?
If we identify a high-priority hazard during the assessment — a hazard tree close to a structure, significant active beetle kill, or a serious defensible space deficiency — we will discuss it with you immediately during the walkthrough. We can often schedule follow-on work within the same season, particularly for time-sensitive hazard tree situations. We will be direct with you about urgency without using it as a sales tactic.
Can you assess a property in another county?
Our primary service area covers South Fork, Creede, and Pagosa Springs, along with Del Norte. For properties in Lake City, Antonito, or the Alamosa area, contact us directly to discuss extended service options. Assessments in extended service areas may require a travel fee depending on location and project scope.
Schedule Your Assessment
Request a free quote or call us directly to book. Assessments are typically available within one to two weeks during spring and fall seasons. We will confirm your appointment, show up on time, and give you an honest picture of what your property needs.