Do you have concerns about a tree on your New York property? Unseen issues can turn a tree into a serious hazard for your home, family, or anyone nearby. At Dragonetti Tree Removal, we specialize in professional Tree Risk Assessment in New York. We are TRA certified arborists in New York, giving us the green light to thoroughly inspect your trees and help you make smart choices about their safety. We conduct all types of assessments, from initial visual checks to more detailed investigations.
What is a Tree Risk Assessment?
A Tree Risk Assessment (TRA) is like a health check-up for your trees. It’s a careful, organized evaluation performed by a qualified tree risk assessor. Our main goal is to determine if a tree, or any part of it, might fail and what the consequences of that could be. These assessments often happen before a removal or professional tree pruning services.
This specialized work can and must only be carried out by TRA certified arborists, who have specific training in tree risk assessment. We are proud to be qualified tree risk assessment certified arborists, a qualification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This means our team has completed the training and passed their exams.
Why a Tree Risk Assessment is Important
Getting a professional tree risk assessment offers lots of advantages beyond just the health of your trees. It’s about protecting your property, managing costs, and saving the trees if we can.
- Protection: Our assessments help lower the chance of tree failure, especially during severe weather. We will inform you about any dangers we see with a plan to fix them.
- Tree Preservation: Finding problems early makes them much easier to address, often allowing us to save the tree. We always prefer to treat and preserve trees whenever possible.
- Reducing Your Liability: As a property owner, you are responsible for the safety of your property. Neglected trees can lead to damage and legal issues if they fall or cause injury, which will be your responsibility. It’s good to get ahead of any issues, and we can answer any questions you have about this.
Our Tree Risk Assessment Process
During these assessments, we carefully examine many aspects of your tree: its overall health, any structural defects like cracks or weak branches, signs of decay or disease, the condition of its root system, and even factors like soil or its proximity to buildings, or if a tree is too close to your home. When we perform a tree risk assessment, we follow a systematic process based on industry standards.
Level 1: Limited Visual Assessment
This is an initial scan, often done from a distance. We look for obvious signs of risk to help us prioritize which trees might need a closer look. This is when we would be able to see something quite obvious (to us).
Level 2: Basic Tree Risk Assessment
This involves a more detailed, ground-level inspection. We walk around the tree, looking closely at its health and stability from all angles. We check for visible signs of decay, disease, and structural problems. This is where we gather the information for your detailed tree risk assessment report.
Level 3: Advanced Tree Risk Assessment
For trees with significant risk or those needing a deeper analysis, we use advanced diagnostic tools. This might include specialized equipment to look inside the tree’s trunk for hidden decay, or to examine its root system. These tools help us uncover issues that aren’t visible from the outside.
Understanding Tree Risk Level
After our tree risk assessment, we categorize trees into clear risk levels. These categories help you quickly understand your tree’s condition and decide on its future care.
Here are the four main risk categories we use:
Risk Category: Negligible
Likelihood of Failure: Very unlikely to fail, even during harsh weather.
Description: Robust trees exhibiting no apparent signs of structural weakness or branch loss.
Suggested Action: Conduct routine checks, maintain standard care practices.
Risk Category: Low
Likelihood of Failure: Not expected under typical conditions, but could occur in severe storms.
Description: Generally sound, though minor issues may be present. Could be impacted by extreme winds or heavy ice.
Suggested Action: Regular observation, consider proactive maintenance.
Risk Category: Moderate
Likelihood of Failure: Likely to fail, anticipated relatively soon under normal conditions.
Description: Displays clear indicators of potential failure, such as noticeable cracks, decay, or pest activity.
Suggested Action: Schedule intervention (e.g., pruning, bracing, treatment, or removal) at your earliest convenience.
Risk Category: High
Likelihood of Failure: Immediate risk of failure, even without adverse weather.
Description: Exhibiting severe signs of decline, extensive internal rot, or major structural damage. This is the most urgent classification.
Suggested Action: Urgent action is necessary, often involving emergency removal to ensure safety.
FAQs
Yes. If a tree poses a risk but doesn’t need to be removed, options include pruning, cabling or bracing, and treating diseases or pests. These measures can stabilize the tree, reduce hazards, and extend its life. A certified arborist can assess the tree and recommend the best approach for safety and health.
The report explains your tree’s condition and any identified risks. We’ll review it with you and recommend practical actions, which might include pruning, installing support systems, improving soil, or treating diseases. The report also outlines the expected risk level after these steps. The goal is to give you clear, actionable solutions to manage your trees safely.
When we assess a tree, we look for signs of potential problems. This includes cracks or splits in the trunk or branches, cavities or fungal growth indicating internal decay, and dead or dying branches. We also check the roots, branch connections, and any unusual leaning. Finally, we consider the tree’s overall health and its surroundings, such as nearby buildings or power lines, to determine potential risks and recommend the safest actions.
No. A tree risk assessment identifies potential hazards and helps reduce risk, but it cannot guarantee that accidents won’t happen. Trees are living organisms and can fail unexpectedly due to weather, disease, or other factors. Regular assessments and proper maintenance are the best ways to manage risk and keep your property safe.
No. While older trees can be more vulnerable, any tree can pose a risk if it’s diseased, damaged, or poorly positioned. Regular risk assessments help identify hazards early, whether the tree is young or old, so you can take steps to keep your property and people safe.
No statewide law requires homeowners to get a tree risk assessment on private property. However, property owners are responsible for keeping their trees safe. Ignoring obvious hazards could make you liable if a tree causes injury or damage. Trees in public areas, like street trees, usually have separate rules and often require permits before any work can be done.
In New York City, trees in the public right-of-way, such as street trees, parkway trees, and trees in city parks, are managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Any work on these trees, including pruning, planting, fertilizing, spraying, or removal, requires a permit from NYC Parks.
Failing to get a permit can carry serious consequences. Most violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000. More serious offenses, such as removing or damaging city trees, can result in fines up to $15,000 or up to a year in jail.
If you notice a hazardous city tree, you can report it by calling 311 or submitting an online request. A Parks forester will inspect the tree and take action if needed.