Assessing Tree Health and Safety
News
2024
Education
Residential
Many of our clients simply want peace of mind when it comes to their trees. They ask things like “Can the kids climb the tree in our backyard?” or “Is that big gum going to drop a limb on the car port?”. These are all important questions to ask. A lot of the time the tree is fine. In some cases, there’s an element of risk that needs to be discussed and managed. Either way, you feel better having had a conversation with an expert.
Assessing the tree
There are a few things looked at when assessing a tree; its species, age, size, health, structure, and the land use underneath. Understanding these elements together indicates a risk level and health status used to develop a tailored management plan. It’s really important that the person that assesses the tree is an Arborist who has completed at least a Diploma level qualification and completed additional certified risk assessment training.
Tree management
You can start planning with your Arborist how to manage your tree once its health and safety level has been established. No one tree is the same so each tree will have its own management plan based on the assessment. For example, if your tree is low risk there may be no maintenance needed or just an inspection every year or so. In some cases, it may need some immediate pruning, soil conditioning, or pest control. If it’s high risk or in bad health, the solution may be removal and replanting. Other personal factors come into play when determining your tree’s management like your connection with the tree, how you use your space, and your budget.
More information
Wanting peace of mind is natural when it comes to enjoying the trees in our yards. Understanding your tree’s health, and implementing a tailored management plan is the first step to achieving this.