Diagnosis methodology in amenity arboriculture The clinical model

This article introduces the clinical model as a diagnostic methodology in amenity arboriculture. It argues that tree assessment requires a clinical approach combining attentive observation, hypothesis-based reasoning and an awareness of the evaluator's own subjectivity, rather than relying exclusively on tool-measured data. The article defines clinical arboriculture, outlines a three-step diagnostic procedure, and positions the clinical model in relation to the positivist (plant-control) model. It also introduces the potential of Clinical Predictive Scores as a path toward greater objectivity and reproducibility in tree diagnosis. Published in ARB Magazine, Issue 197, Summer 2022, The Arboricultural Association. clinical arboriculture tree diagnosis amenity arboriculture clinical model risk assessment tree riskdiagnostic methodology reflective practice positivist paradigm clinical predictive scores expertise model