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Protect Your South Shore Property with a Tree Risk Assessment

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Have you ever felt anxious when looking at your trees and worried they could fall over and damage your house? A tree risk assessment from a professional can help identify potential hazards before they become serious issues. With this service, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your trees are safe and your property is protected.

Key Takeaways

  • A tree risk assessment involves a Certified Arborist examining trees for hazards and providing specific recommendations, such as maintenance pruning, mulching, or installing structural support systems.
  • Tree risk assessments offer South Shore homeowners multiple benefits, including cost savings, early problem detection, potential tree preservation, reduced risk of failure, and better-looking trees.
  • We put trees into four risk categories: improbable, possible, probable, and imminent. Probable and imminent risks require immediate action to prevent failure.
  • Have a professional conduct a tree risk assessment every 1-3 years to detect problems early.
  • While homeowners can inspect their trees, professional arborists have the expertise to identify subtle signs of unhealthy trees and provide objective recommendations for addressing potential risks.
A large tree has fallen in a grassy suburban yard with houses in the background.

A tree risk assessment is the first step in keeping your trees safe.

What is a Tree Risk Assessment?

A tree risk assessment is essentially a checkup for your tree. A Certified Arborist will inspect your trees for any potential hazards and give you clear recommendations. Depending on the tree’s condition, they may suggest ways to save it or recommend removal. Some of their advice might include:

  • Maintenance pruning of the tree’s deadwood
  • Placing mulch around the tree
  • Installing structural support systems

Benefits of a Tree Risk Assessment for South Shore Homeowners

Though it may not be the first thing you think of when you think of tree care, tree risk assessments have several benefits for homeowners on the South Shore. Some of these benefits include:

  • Save Money in the Long Term: Removing a tree that has fallen on a house or other structure is often more expensive than taking down a hazardous tree that is still standing. Emergency tree removal costs more because of the quick turnaround time and the delicate nature of removing the tree without causing any more damage to your property.
  • Discover Potential Problems Early: As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Identifying issues early makes them much easier to handle and can save you from bigger problems later on.
  • Save Your Trees: Arborists can do a lot to save your trees, but they can’t save them when the damage is too extreme. A tree risk assessment will catch problems when they are still manageable and treatable. As we all know, saving a tree is always preferable to removing one.
  • Reduce the Risk of Fallen Trees: Trees are massive and heavy, making cleanup expensive and time-consuming when they fall. While there’s no way to remove all risk from your trees, regular assessments will reduce the risk of your trees failing during a storm or nor’easter
  • Keep Your Trees Beautiful: Improving your yard’s aesthetics is one of the best reasons to have trees on the South Shore. Unhealthy trees do not have the same vibrancy and beauty as healthy ones. A tree risk assessment will catch problem trees early, allow you to treat the problem, and help restore them to their former beauty.
A large crack exposing the inner wood of the tree runs up the length of the trunk.

Trunk cracks are an indication that your tree could be at risk.

How Tree Risks Are Categorized

Tree risk isn’t a simple “yes or no” scenario. Depending on the tree and what its issue could be, we place trees into four different risk categories:

  • Improbable: Sturdy trees that will likely survive storms. These trees show no indication of potential trunk failure or branch drop.
  • Possible: Trees are unlikely to fall under normal conditions. However, extreme weather conditions, high winds, or heavy snowfall could compromise their safety and integrity.
  • Probable: Trees are likely to fall. These trees show signs of potential failure, including cracks, cracked branches, decay, pest infestation, and illness.
  • Imminent: Trees are ready to fall immediately. These trees show severe signs of illness, decay, cracked or hollow trunks, and broken branches.

In the case of probable and imminent at-risk trees, we recommend swift action to avoid tree failure and the damage it can cause.

PRO TIP: Just because a tree is at risk of falling does not mean it is a hazardous tree. A tree needs to have a target to hit and be in poor condition for an arborist to consider it hazardous.

Two tree care professionals in orange long-sleeve t-shirts and protective helmets point upward as they examine a tree.

Professional tree services are your best bet to ensure your trees are safe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Risk Assessments

Are tree risk assessments only necessary for homeowners with large, mature trees?

No, tree risk assessments are not only necessary for homeowners with large, mature trees. Any tree can pose a risk if it has a target and is at risk.

Can tree risk assessments prevent all tree-related accidents and damage?

Tree risk assessments cannot prevent all tree-related accidents and damage, but they significantly reduce the risk. Sometimes, healthy trees fail due to massive storms or damage. However, by identifying potential hazards, implementing preventive measures, and ensuring proper maintenance, tree risk assessments can increase safety and decrease the likelihood of tree damage.

How often should homeowners schedule tree risk assessments?

We recommend scheduling tree risk assessments every 1-3 years to ensure the safety of your property. Regular assessments help identify potential risks and prevent accidents or damage caused by trees on your premises.

Are there any legal requirements for homeowners to conduct tree risk assessments?

There are no legal requirements for homeowners to conduct tree risk assessments. However, we recommend them to ensure the safety of your property and avoid potential liability issues.

Can homeowners conduct tree risk assessments on their own, or is professional assistance always necessary?

While you can inspect your trees on your own, you won’t have the same expertise as a professional arborist. Arborists are trained to spot subtle signs of tree health issues that may put your property at risk. For your safety and peace of mind, it’s best to rely on a certified arborist to conduct the assessment.

Need an Assessment of Your At-Risk Trees? Call Top Notch Tree Today!

Having beautiful trees on your property is a dream for many South Shore homeowners. But when those trees become a risk, the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare. A tree risk assessment can catch the warning signs of a risky tree and provide recommendations on what to do next.

If it’s been some time since you’ve had a professional examine your trees, Top Notch Tree can help. Our team has the training and expertise to identify any potential problem with your tree and give you objective advice on what is best for its health and vitality. Call us today at 781-871-8008 or request an estimate online.

Jeff Van Meter

Jeff has been in the green industry since working at his father’s landscaping industry as a kid. Jeff uses his many years of experience to guide his customers and to help them find the best solutions for their tree and landscape needs. More about Jeff >>>

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