My experienceSee my complete CV (PDF, new window)
Summary
Over the past 40 years, I’ve been privileged to be a part of many facets of the landscaping and tree care industry.
My background in landscape design, contracting, and tree care has given me valuable experience that supports my consulting and expert witness practice today. It’s also given me the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of publications, write a book on tree law, and serve as a featured speaker for many organizations.
Here are some more details:
Recent experience:
- Represented the Professional Landcare Network (formerly the Associated Landscape Contractors of America) as a delegate to the 7-person Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers, which publishes recognized guidelines for the plant appraisal community. (1994 – 2007)
- Author and publisher of Tree Law Cases in the USA, (First Edition, 2000; Second Edition, 2007)
- Consultant and expert witness, president of Bloch Consulting Group, LLC (1996 – present)
Service to the industy
- Judge for the American Association of Nurserymen national landscaping awards
- Assistant to Lady Bird Johnson’s Beautification Committee
- Judge for the National Swimming Pool Association national awards competition.
- Provided testimony in numerous law cases involving personal injuries, fatalities, property damages, and plant evaluations in various jurisdictions.
- Retained as a consultant in 13 states, plus the District of Columbia
- Mentor for American Society of Consulting Arborists to help prospective members qualify for active membership
- Volunteer and assistant to “Trees for the City” in Washington, D.C.
- Active participant in numerous local and national trade association conferences, seminars, lectures, and expositions
Speaking engagements
- Led all-day plant appraisal seminar for the Illinois State Arborist Association and taught additional plant appraisal workshops.
- Led an all-day seminar on tree law cases for the New York State Arborists Association and delivered other lectures on arboriculture and the law
- Featured speaker at the at the National Arboretum on numerous occasions
- Frequent guest on talk radio, and interviewed on television both locally and nationally
- Occasional guest on “In the Garden,” a regional TV gardening program
- Lecturer at the Georgetown University Continuing Education Program, the National Federation of Garden Clubs, and the local chapter of the American Foresters Association
Past experience
- President and owner of American Tree Service and Landscape Co., Inc. (1975 – 1996)
- Vice president and general manager of J.H. Burton and Sons, Inc. (1959 – 1975)
- Vice president and partner, Kalmia Farms Nursery (1962 – 1976)
- Partner, Suburbia Gardens Nursery (1957 – 1959)
- Commissioned officer, U.S. Army (1954 – 1956)
Education
- B. S. Agriculture, University of Missouri (1954)