For most of the year, the big tree in your garden is easily the best feature on the property. You get shade in the summer and a bit of privacy from the houses behind.
Then, the forecast mentions 60 mph winds, and you start looking at it differently. You wonder how old it is and whether that branch has always hung so low over the shed.
The good news is that you don’t have to guess. Keep reading to find out what a tree risk assessment checks and how it helps you protect your home.
Checking for Root Problems
You might not realise it, but the most important part of your tree is the one you can’t see. The roots hold it in place, and most of them sit in the top 60 cm of soil, which is shallower than you’d think.
That means they’re extremely easy to damage. If you’ve recently done construction work in the area or parked your car on the same patch of grass for years, the roots underneath may have taken a hit.
The tricky part is that your tree can still look perfectly healthy from above, so you’d have no reason to suspect anything. For this reason, a professional will look for signs you might not notice, like mushrooms around the base or soil that has cracked or lifted on one side.
Spotting Signs of Tree Decay
Once the roots have been checked, it’s time to look at the trunk. Decay usually starts on the inside, so your tree can be rotting away while the bark looks completely normal.
You can still pick up a few clues from the outside, though. You might notice fungi growing out of the trunk like little shelves, or holes where a branch used to be.
To find out what’s going on inside, an assessor will tap the trunk with a mallet and listen for a hollow sound. If they hit a suspicious area, they can use specialist equipment to measure how much solid wood is left.
And if they do find decay, there’s no need to panic. Plenty of old trees stay standing for decades with hollow trunks.
Identifying Weak or Dead Branches
You’ll rarely see a whole healthy tree get uprooted in a storm, but heavy branches snap and fall all the time. And when one does, it can end up flattening the fence panel you only replaced last winter.
You’ll usually spot the dead branches first, as they remain bare in the middle of summer even though the rest of the tree is covered in leaves.
Other problems are much harder to see from the ground. That’s why an assessor will carefully inspect the canopy for hairline cracks, snapped branches caught in the upper leaves, and limbs attached at awkward angles.
If you’ve got an ash tree, this step is even more important. Ash dieback has spread across most of Britain, and it makes branches brittle enough to fall without warning.
Assessing Structural Stability
Checking individual parts is one thing. But an assessor will also step back to look at the bigger picture. The specific way a tree has grown over its lifespan can make it far more vulnerable to high winds.
Let’s say your tree leans to one side. If it has always been that way, it’s probably adapted over the years and is stable. If the lean is new or getting worse, the roots may be losing their hold, and the tree could end up falling on your car or home.
Then, there’s the point where two large stems meet. When they grow side-by-side in a tight, narrow ‘V’ shape, the joint between them becomes weak and prone to splitting right down the middle during a storm.
Also, if a tree has lost limbs on one side and now carries most of its heavy canopy on the other, all that weight can put a lot of strain on the trunk.
Protecting Buildings and Other Properties
If a branch is going to come down, you’d much rather it landed on your lawn than on your car. Unfortunately, you don’t get a say in that.
So, an assessor will look at everything your tree could reach, including buildings, driveways, fences, and power lines. They’ll also consider how often people spend time underneath it.
Based on all of that, they’ll give you solid recommendations. In most cases, removing a few branches is enough, and the tree itself can stay.
You’ll find that many companies specialising in tree surgery across Britain also provide tree risk assessment services. That means the same team can inspect your tree and carry out any work it needs.
Just keep in mind that some trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order. If yours is, you’ll need the council’s permission before any work starts.
How to Choose the Right Tree Risk Assessment Service
Before you book anyone, remember that generic landscaping services and certified tree specialists aren’t the same. To get the best value for your money, here’s what to look for:
- Check their qualifications. A Lantra Professional Tree Inspection certificate is a great standard to look for, as is a listing on the Arboricultural Association directory.
- Confirm what the assessment covers. Find out whether they’ll check the roots, trunk, branches, and overall structure, as well as what’s around the tree. If they only plan to have a quick look from the driveway, keep looking for other options.
- Ask for a written report. This makes it easier to understand which problems need attention and which ones can wait. It also gives you a record for next time, which is useful if you’ve got several trees or manage different rental properties.
- Verify their recommendations. A reliable assessor will explain what each risk means and what you should do about it. Be cautious if they suggest removing a tree without telling you why.
- Look at their insurance. Make sure the company has public liability insurance before they start any work. A reputable one will be happy to show you proof.
Conclusion
You shouldn’t have to track every incoming storm while staring nervously out the window. A professional assessment will tell you exactly which trees are safe and which ones need a bit of work.
It only takes one visit, and it costs far less than a new roof. So, get yours booked, and you can go back to enjoying the shade.