Tree Risk Assessment

An Ounce of Prevention...

Tree Risk Assessment (TRA) is one of the most valuable services we offer our clients. Our arborists receive ongoing in-house TRA training and it is part of their continuing education to maintain certifications and licenses. TRA helps identify potential issues with trees in order to best evaluate associated risk. Once properly assessed, an arborist can suggest decisive actions to best mitigate or eliminate the risk with the owner or manager of the property.

Almstead arborists usually inspect trees visually when they are on site for potential issues with the trunk, crown, surface root zone or trunk flares. In addition to TRA training, many of our arborists have also undergone the more extensive Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) program offered by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

In addition to basic data, such as species, diameter of the tree at breast height (DBH), tree height and crown spread, the TRAQ system also requires the arborist to record and evaluate other detailed information. This includes the location, conditions, defects in the tree’s trunk, crown, and roots, as well as potential targets, usage frequency of those targets, and consequences of potential failure. Based on this information, additional testing using specialized tools such as a Resistograph or Tomography (to better detect the degree of internal decay) or an aerial inspection (with a seasoned and experienced field staff) to provide more data on crown structure, the arborist is able to create a comprehensive report that offers a complete analysis of each tree and its risk of failure.

Photos: These are pictures of trees we were called on to remove after the April-May storms. Regular maintenance and inspection of your trees and shrubs, as well as advanced Tree Risk Assessment, where warranted, is the best way to mitigate high-risk situations and to preserve your valued assets. Please contact your Almstead arborist to schedule an inspection.