Homeowners are generally unaware of many of the various circumstances that can make their trees hazardous.
If time is taken to look, most people can see obvious structural problems as major decay in the main trunk of a tree. Still, the vast majority of problems leading to structural failure are not easily recognizable to the layman.
For example, genetic flaws, such as multi trunk trees like Bradford Pear, will lead to major failure as the individual trunks grow in girth and eventually push each other off.
Homeowners are generally unaware of many of the circumstance that can make their trees hazardous. The vast majority of problems leading to structural tree failure are not easily recognizable to the layman.
Internal decay, which may only show a small fruiting conk on the bark, can be digesting the structural cellulose inside the tree.
Root damage caused by heavy equipment, or trenching operations only a foot or so deep, can destroy the structural support of the roots holding up the tree.
Stress cracks caused by high storm winds can leave the tree susceptible to failure due to decay or future storm events.
There is also another element of evaluating the risk factor for trees. It is important to recognize the likely landing spot and value of damage should a tree fail.
Because many homeowners likely cannot accurately assess damage to their trees, they cannot evaluate the damage potential if it falls. Only experienced professionals are able to identify all the pertinent factors explicitly.
The bottom line, however, is that it is critical that persons owning trees realize that they are responsible for the public’s safety and welfare relative to their trees as well as their own wellbeing.
Therefore, periodic inspections should be provided by qualified persons, trained to recognize and evaluate potential tree hazards and targets at risk.
The person developing the assessment should also be able to provide information as to options available to make the situation safer. These options may include pruning to remove weak, damaged or dead limbs.
It might also be necessary to provide structural enhancement to strengthen significant or historic trees that have conditions which a pruning remedy might destroy. In some cases, options may be limited to simply removing the tree.
In all cases though, the end result should be the reduction of hazard potential to an appropriate level, while also employing a remedy that does not destroy the tree’s ability to remain healthy and attractive.
So, who is qualified to assist in this process? Fortunately, in the Panhandle Area of North Florida, there are an abundance of these professionals.
They are Professional “Certified” Arborists who have passed the rigorous standards set by the “International Society of Arboriculture” (ISA). They will have taken and passed the ISA Certification Examination and have demonstrated their expertise and competency in the field of Arboriculture.
These “ISA Certified Arborists” are familiar with the types of concerns and problems which may lead to hazardous conditions with trees. They are also qualified to offer solutions (and may also provide services) to mitigate the potential liability these trees present to both property and persons.
Verification of the arborist’s certification status is found at the ISA’s website (www.isa-arbor.com) or call 678-367-0981. It is a prudent first step when hiring an arborist for either hazard diagnosis or remedial tree work.
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