What is a tree hazard evaluation?

Tree hazard evaluations are conducted to identify potential hazards that trees may present to people or property. The purpose of the evaluation is to develop a plan to mitigate or remove any hazardous trees. A qualified arborist will conduct a tree hazard evaluation by assessing the tree’s physical condition, location, and surroundings.

What is a tree hazard evaluation

Tree hazard evaluations are conducted in order to identify any potential hazards that trees may present to people or property. A qualified arborist will assess the tree’s physical condition, location, and surroundings in order to develop a plan to mitigate or remove any hazardous trees. There are several factors that could increase the potential for a tree to become hazardous, such as age and species of the tree, height, canopy spread, trunk diameter, location of branches or roots on properties, availability of aerial roots, type of site including topography and soil type, and slope grade direction.

What are some common hazards that trees can present to people or property if they are not evaluated by a qualified arborist

There are a number of hazards that trees can present to people or property if they are not evaluated by a qualified arborist. Some common hazards include: Downed limbs or branches. Fallen trees. Roots that protrude above the ground. Diseased or rotting wood. Trunk instability, such as a crack or split. Insect infestation—Insect-infested trees can have weakened trunks and branches, making them more susceptible to damage from wind, ice and snow. Caterpillar nests—Caterpillar nests can indicate dangerous levels of decay. They also create a public safety hazard because the caterpillars leave behind a thick webbing that causes allergies and dermatitis in some people.

Why it’s important to have an arborist evaluate the roots near your foundation, sidewalks, fences, and other structures

A tree hazard evaluation is important because it can help identify any potential risks that the tree may pose to nearby structures. If an arborist evaluates the roots near your foundation, sidewalks, fences, and other structures, they can identify any potential hazards and take steps to prevent injury and damage from occurring.

In most cases, a tree hazard evaluation is done by an arborist who specializes in conducting these evaluations. It’s best to hire a specialist because they have specific knowledge and skills that can help them identify any potential hazards from the roots of the tree. They’ll look at the proximity between your structures and the base of the tree. If there are any close calls or cracks along sidewalks or foundations, that will be noted. The arborist also looks at how close structures are to mature trees with a known history of roots affecting nearby structures.

What should a tree hazard assessment include?

A hazard assessment should include:

·           Distance from the trunk to surrounding structures such as fences, driveways, sidewalks, etc…

           A review of any existing issues or cracks in the surrounding structures

·           An evaluation of the health, structure, and root system of the tree

The arborist will consider all of this information along with past history to determine if any corrective action is necessary. When a hazard evaluation does reveal that there are potential issues with nearby structures, then an arborist may recommend corrective actions. These may involve injecting fertilizer into the roots which can help increase growth around your foundation, installing mesh wire which can prevent roots from penetrating certain areas, or redirecting tree roots so they don’t pose a risk to surrounding structures. If you have trees on your property near buildings or other structures, it’s important to have them inspected by an arborist for potential hazards before anything happens. By hiring a qualified arborist for your tree hazard evaluation, you can help prevent serious damage to your property and injury to visitors or family members.

Conclusion

A tree hazard evaluation is important because it can help identify any potential risks that the tree may pose to nearby structures. If an arborist evaluates the roots near your foundation, sidewalks, fences, and other structures, they can identify any potential hazards and take steps to prevent injury and damage from occurring. Please contact us at 503-580-9078 for more information if you are interested in having a tree hazard evaluation.

Learn More

Useful tree hazard evaluation form: TREE HAZARD EVALUATION (usda.gov)

Oregon Forestry