Why Tree Hazard Assessment Matters

When a tree falls, it can cause devastating damage to structures, vehicles, and lives. But most tree failures don’t come out of nowhere—they show signs first. The key is knowing what to look for and when to act. That’s where a qualified arborist comes in.

A proper tree hazard assessment evaluates the likelihood of tree failure and the potential consequences. It's not guesswork—it's a methodical process based on science, data, and experience. Tree risk assessments help property owners reduce liability, support long-term tree health, and plan for pruning, removal, or protection when needed.

According to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), proactive risk management is the best way to protect trees and people alike. Waiting for visible damage or disease often means you’re already too late.

Signs You Need a Tree Hazard Assessment

You don’t have to be an expert to spot warning signs. Here are several reasons you might want to schedule a tree hazard assessment today:

• A tree is leaning more than usual or appears unstable

• You see mushrooms or fungal growth on the trunk or near the roots

• There are cracks or splits in major limbs or the trunk

• The tree has suffered recent storm damage

• The canopy appears thin or uneven

• Large dead branches are visible

• You’re planning construction near tree roots or in a tree preservation zone

• Your insurance company is requesting documentation

• You’ve noticed soil heaving, exposed roots, or a change in tree posture

• A neighboring property owner has raised concerns

Even if you’re just unsure whether a tree is healthy or hazardous, getting a professional opinion helps you move forward with confidence.

What Happens During a Tree Hazard Assessment?

Every tree hazard assessment is tailored to the specific tree, site conditions, and concerns. While you won’t find a "how we do it" section here, you will get peace of mind knowing that an ISA-certified consulting arborist brings years of experience, visual inspection expertise, and advanced diagnostic tools to your property.

We assess the following key factors:

• Species profile – Some trees are more prone to failure or disease

• Tree age and health – Older trees need closer monitoring

• Structural integrity – Cracks, weak forks, and previous damage

• Root zone condition – Soil compaction, trenching, or decay near the base

• Load and wind exposure – Tree placement and storm vulnerability

• Targets – What would be hit if the tree or a branch failed?

When necessary, we may recommend more detailed evaluations using resistograph testing, sonic tomography, or root collar excavation. These deeper insights support better planning and reduce the chances of over-removal or underestimating risk.

Benefits of Scheduling a Tree Hazard Assessment

A professional tree hazard assessment provides more than a yes-or-no answer. It gives you:

1. Safety and Liability Prevention

The most urgent benefit is protecting people and property. Trees near homes, driveways, sidewalks, and power lines require close monitoring. A certified arborist helps you avoid the cost—financial and emotional—of tree failure by identifying risk early.

Property owners can be held liable for preventable tree damage. A documented assessment protects you legally and helps prove due diligence. According to Cornell Cooperative Extension, failing to address known tree hazards can lead to insurance complications or lawsuits.

2. Informed Tree Care Planning

Not every risky tree needs to be removed. A tree hazard assessment might recommend corrective pruning, cabling, or soil treatments to extend the life of a valuable tree. These interventions are often far more cost-effective and environmentally responsible than removal and replacement.

You'll also learn when removal is truly necessary—saving time, money, and headaches from indecision or misjudgment.

3. Construction & Development Compliance

Building near existing trees? Many municipalities require a tree hazard assessment as part of your permit approval process. This is especially true in urban environments or tree-protected zones where root damage during construction could destabilize a tree.

Documented assessments ensure you meet city or county tree ordinances and avoid costly project delays. If you're unsure what local rules apply, a consulting arborist can help navigate permitting and compliance.

4. Environmental and Community Health

Trees provide more than shade. They improve air quality, sequester carbon, reduce stormwater runoff, and support biodiversity. When we make informed decisions about which trees to keep, treat, or remove, we protect more than just our backyards—we protect ecosystems.

A thoughtful tree hazard assessment is a crucial part of responsible land management, especially when working near greenbelts, wetlands, or shared community spaces.

Tree Hazard Assessment for Homeowners

If you're a homeowner, you're probably not thinking about arboricultural science on a daily basis—but you do want to keep your family safe and your property beautiful. Whether you’ve just moved in or have lived on your land for decades, your trees evolve over time. That beautiful maple planted 20 years ago might now be crowding your roof or showing signs of decay.

A tree hazard assessment helps you:

• Know which trees are thriving and which are declining

• Plan trimming or removal schedules

• Prevent damage from future storms

• Avoid falling branches near kids, pets, or patios

• Work confidently with your HOA, landscaper, or builder

If you're planning a remodel, installing a pool, or putting in a new driveway, don’t forget about the trees. One careless backhoe can irreversibly damage roots that took decades to grow. That’s why assessment and tree protection planning go hand-in-hand.

Tree Hazard Assessment for Professionals and Developers

If you're an engineer, architect, contractor, or commercial property manager, tree-related issues can quickly become project complications. A single unsafe tree can delay construction, require unexpected removal permits, or put your entire site out of compliance.

Align Tree Management works closely with professionals who need clear, objective risk data for:

• Due diligence before land acquisition

• Pre-construction tree inventory and protection planning

• City and county tree permitting

• Landscape architecture collaboration

• Legal disputes and insurance claims

• Campus and HOA maintenance strategies

Our assessments can be submitted as part of official development applications, giving your team the documentation and insight needed to move forward without unnecessary red tape.

Tree Risk Levels and Management Decisions

Not all tree risks are created equal. A dead limb over a walking trail carries different consequences than the same limb over a wooded area. That’s why the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) system, developed by ISA, categorizes risk based on both the likelihood of failure and the impact of failure.

By applying this standardized matrix, our tree hazard assessment helps you:

• Understand current and future risks

• Prioritize which trees need action

• Justify decisions to stakeholders, neighbors, or boards

• Document tree conditions before or after an event (like a storm or accident)

Informed decisions start with good data—and that’s exactly what we provide.

When to Reassess Trees

Think of a tree hazard assessment like a medical check-up. Even healthy trees should be assessed every few years—or more frequently if you notice changes. Situations that call for reassessment include:

• After major wind or ice storms

• During or after construction near root zones

• When trees show new signs of decay, pests, or decline

• If a neighboring tree was recently removed

• Before selling or insuring a property

Trees are dynamic, living organisms. What was safe last season might not be this year. Ongoing assessments support proactive management and a healthier, safer landscape.

Tools and Technology in Modern Tree Hazard Assessment

Tree science has come a long way. While nothing replaces an arborist’s trained eye, modern diagnostic tools can reveal internal defects without harming the tree.

Some of the tools used during advanced assessments include:

• Resistographs – Measure resistance in wood fibers to identify decay

• Sonic tomographs – Use sound waves to map internal tree structure

• Air excavation – Gently exposes root collars for visual inspection

• Drones – Capture canopy images and reach inaccessible areas

These technologies enhance the precision of a tree hazard assessment, especially when tree removal decisions have significant implications for safety, budget, or permits.

Get Peace of Mind with Align Tree Management

Your trees are part of your story. Whether you planted them yourself or inherited them, they represent time, memory, and natural beauty. Don’t leave their fate to chance—or worse, to a guess.

A comprehensive tree hazard assessment from Align Tree Management gives you expert guidance, sustainable solutions, and actionable insight you can trust. We’re not here to sell unnecessary removals. We’re here to help you preserve what can be saved and protect what can’t.

With years of experience, ISA certification, and a reputation built on integrity, Align Tree Management is your partner in thoughtful, cost-effective tree care. We proudly serve homeowners, developers, landscape architects, and property managers who want more than just a chainsaw—they want a plan.

Ready to protect your trees and your property?
Reach out today to schedule your tree hazard assessment with Align Tree Management. Let’s make your landscape safer, stronger, and sustainable—one tree at a time.