Proper assessment of tree risk requires diligent, meticulous investigation of the tree and of its growing site. A proper tree risk assessment should include all details pertaining to tree parts that are or will be a risk to people and property, and outline a plan of action to mitigate those risks to acceptable levels. This could include pruning, cabling and bracing the tree, removal of the targets or even the removal of the tree. There are three types of assessment:
- Limited visual assessment
- Basic assessment
- Advanced assessment
Limited Visual Assessment
A limited visual assessment is the most cost effective, but is usually used for larger populations of trees. If a property has dozens of trees, this method can quickly provide some information on their general condition.
Basic Assessment
A basic assessment will be more in depth and will involve photos, binoculars to inspect details in the crown, a probe and mallet to check for lower cavities, magnifying glass to look for fruiting bodies or insects and perhaps a small shovel to uncover the root crown. This is the inspection we conduct on the most regular basis and will always be paired with a plan of action.
Advanced Assessment
In the event that specific details of note arise in a basic assessment, more advanced diagnostic tools may be required to properly assess tree risk. An advanced assessment will include any of the following:
- Inspection of the canopy with a drone
- Climbing the tree for a detailed inspection and photos/samples
- Root collar excavation with supersonic air spade to inspect for root rot and issues
- Tomography (scan) to look for cavities and decay with the tree
- Resistance drilling to verify tomography results
- Laboratory analyses of fruiting bodies
All types of assessments are paired with a written report with corresponding photography and test results.