Is my tree healthy? It's a question that every property owner has to ask themself at some point or another. Trees show many signs of sickness, including a lack of foliage and splitting bark. When you see these signs, it makes perfect sense to worry about whether or not your tree is going to fail, and what impact it could have if it falls.
If you're concerned about the health of trees near your home or business, your smartest move is to call a consulting arborist. As a certified tree expert, they will be able to perform a tree risk assessment to answer all of your tree questions and advise you on the best course of action.
How a Tree Risk Assessment Works
It's common for property owners to seek a tree assessment after a powerful storm rolls through the area. Also, new homeowners will often request a risk assessment when they first move in. Otherwise, tree risk assessments are sought when visible signs of stress or disease appear in a tree that's growing on a residential or commercial property.
When a consulting arborist is called on to perform a risk assessment, they'll pay a visit to the property with the trees in question. Next, they'll closely analyze the tree's species health, structure, and growth patterns to determine the risk of tree failure. This tree assessment will involve the identification of any external factors that increase the risk of tree failure, such as a pest infestation, disease, or visable or potential structural defects.
Once a consulting arborist has gathered all of the facts, they'll be able to provide their risk assessment, which details both the likelihood that the tree will fail and the odds that it will impact a "target" if it collapses. This target may be a nearby home or business, vehicles in an adjacent parking lot or any people who live or work on the property where the tree is standing. The results of the assessment will help the owner determine the risk of the tree.
Depending on the level of risk, it might be possible to mitigate the risk of tree failure by implementing tree health management solutions, such as pruning out problem branches. Follow-up risk assessments will be necessary to ensure these methods are effective. However, if the tree poses an immediate risk of injury or property damage, it will be strongly recommended for removal.
Get a Risk Assessment From a Certified Consulting Arborist
If you're concerned about the health of a tree on your property, it's time to call Sam Kezar. As both a Registered Consulting Artist (#705) and an ISA-Board Certified Master Arborist (MW4503B), Sam is uniquely qualified to perform a risk assessment for any trees near your home or business. Contact Aspen Arboriculture Solutions today if you'd like to schedule a tree risk assessment in the Midwest!