The Importance of a Tree Risk Assessment to Protect Your Property and Family

Are you worried about a tree on your property that looks dangerous? A tree risk assessment can give you peace of mind and the information you need to make an informed decision about caring for your tree. Learn what a tree risk assessment is and how it benefits your Northern Virginia property.

Key Takeaways

• A TRAQ-credentialed arborist can perform a tree risk assessment by following a standardized process to evaluate whether trees pose an unacceptable risk to people and property.
• During an assessment, arborists examine trees for structural defects and external damage while considering potential targets a tree could harm if it fails.
• We group trees into four risk categories: improbable, possible, probable, and imminent failure – imminent being the most serious classification that requires immediate action.
• Regular tree risk assessments can save money in the long run by avoiding emergency removal costs, saving trees through early intervention, and protecting property from damage.
• While tree risk assessments significantly increase safety, they cannot prevent all accidents.

A tree risk assessment can discover hazardous trees, like this one, before they fall on your property.

What Is a Tree Risk Assessment?

A tree risk assessment is an evaluation of your trees by a professional to provide an understanding of the risk your trees pose to your property. Any trees on your property have some risk of causing damage, but some trees are more dangerous than others. A tree risk assessment will help you understand your trees’ danger, but only if you have the right person perform it.

The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) is an advanced credential earned through the International Society of Arboriculture. It certifies that the individual demonstrates professional knowledge in hazard tree assessments. TRAQ gives Certified Arborists a standardized, systematic process for assessing tree risk to determine whether or not a dangerous tree poses an unacceptable risk.

A TRAQ-credentialed arborist will help you make an informed decision about your tree, focusing on the safety of people and property, as well as tree benefits, health, and longevity.

Our team employs a TRAQ-credentialed arborist, who can provide expert recommendations on the safety and health of your tree.

What Arborists Look for During a Hazardous Tree Evaluation

During a tree risk assessment, an arborist will look for any potential weak points in your tree. These weak points could occur due to structural defects in the tree or external damage from storms or human activity.

If an arborist notices a potential point of failure, they will examine it and determine the likelihood that the section of the tree will fail.

An arborist will also determine the danger the tree poses by looking for potential targets. In our industry, we only classify a tree as a hazard if there is a probable target the tree could harm when it fails. Simply put, a dangerous tree in the middle of an empty field isn’t a hazard, but that same tree next to a park bench would be.

PRO TIP: Want to learn more about what a TRAQ-credentialed arborist looks for during an assessment? See our previous article on signs of a dangerous tree.

The 4 Categories of Tree Risk

During a hazardous tree evaluation in Northern Virginia, we classify trees into four categories. While these categories don’t paint a full picture of the tree’s condition, they serve as a quick reference so you can assess its condition and make a plan for its future care.

The four categories of tree risk are:

• Improbable: The tree or branch will not likely fail during normal weather conditions or severe weather.
• Possible: Tree failure could happen but is unlikely during normal weather conditions.
• Probable: Tree failure could happen during normal weather conditions, and you should expect it to occur soon.
• Imminent: Tree failure is already occurring or will happen at any time, even when there is no wind. This rare classification requires immediate action to protect people and property.

The Many Benefits of a Tree Risk Assessment in Northern Virginia

While tree care may not always be top of mind for Northern Virginia homeowners, a proactive tree risk assessment offers valuable benefits. Having an arborist perform a hazardous tree evaluation has many benefits for you, such as:

• Save Money in the Long Run: Removing a tree once it has fallen or disposing of a large, downed branch costs more than being proactive. Emergency or urgent removals cost more due to the faster response time and the additional caution we’ll need to prioritize to do the job safely. Proactive removal is more cost-efficient.
• Save a Tree: Catching weak points before they fail gives you time to fix the problem. Arborists may use structural support systems, such as cables and braces, or pruning to help your tree recover and increase safety.
• Increase Safety on Your Property: We all love having trees in our landscapes, but they can put your family and property in danger when they are unhealthy. A tree risk assessment will inform you of any potentially dangerous trees, so you can take action to protect those most important to you.
• Improve Aesthetics for Your Yard: Healthy trees are often more visually striking than sick and dangerous trees. Catching problems during a tree risk assessment and correcting them will give you better-looking trees and curb appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hazardous Trees

Hazardous trees are often a hot topic when we talk to our customers. To help you better understand the danger of hazardous trees, we’ve compiled some of the common questions we get about the topic:

Do I only need a tree risk assessment if I have old trees on my property?

No, a tree risk assessment will benefit any homeowner with trees on their property. Young trees can be just as prone to becoming hazards as mature ones.

What can I do if my neighbor has a dangerous tree?

If a neighbor’s tree appears dangerous, inform them of the present danger and ask them to have an arborist examine it. If the tree causes damage to your property after your neighbor knew it was dangerous, you may be entitled to file a claim for the damages.

Will a hazardous tree evaluation prevent all tree accidents?

No, a hazardous tree evaluation will not be able to prevent all tree accidents. The assessment will increase tree safety, but even healthy trees can fail during extreme weather events.

How often should I have a TRAQ-credentialed arborist conduct a tree risk assessment?

We typically recommend having a TRAQ-credentialed arborist inspect your trees every 1-3 years. Yearly inspections are better for homeowners with trees that are more at risk of failure.

What trees are more likely to fail during extreme weather?

Trees with structural defects are often more likely to uproot or break during a storm. Additionally, naturally brittle and weak trees, such as the invasive Bradford pear or fast-growing trees, are worth special attention.

Is Your Tree a Safety Hazard? Get a Professional Risk Assessment from Riverbend Today!

Don’t put yourself at risk of having a dangerous tree on your property. A tree risk assessment will give you an understanding of the trees on your property and the potential danger they pose to you and your family. Ensure you have a TRAQ-credential arborist handle the job, as they can give you the best examination of your trees.

At Riverbend Tree Service, we don’t just inspect your trees – we provide you with a comprehensive, expert evaluation to ensure your property’s safety. Our ISA Certified Arborist with TRAQ credentials brings advanced training and experience to the table, identifying potential risks and offering actionable solutions to protect your home and family. You can trust us to deliver the highest standard of care for your trees.

Call us at 703-402-9366 or request an estimate online today.