The tree risk assessment checklist will guide you to the visible indicators showing that a tree can fail due to trunk cracks, damaged roots, dead branches, and tree lean. Consistent checking of these indicators will help you detect problems in time and prevent a storm from making a potentially failing tree become an insurance claim. You will get the practical tree risk assessment checklist along with a detailed discussion of the cases when a professional evaluation is justified.
Falling trees can do a lot of damage annually. As reported by the survey conducted by Consumer Reports, the median cost that homeowners receive for their claims related to falling trees is $4,110, while 7 percent of all homeowner claims involve a falling tree. The majority of these trees exhibited visible signs before falling.
What Is a Tree Risk Assessment?
Tree risk assessment is a systematic approach to determine the potential of a tree to fail, thereby posing a threat to the wellbeing of the public or the structure. The tree risk assessment considers three main factors: the probability of failure of any portion of the tree, the probability of hitting any object in its path, and the severity of the consequences.
Tree risk assessment should not be confused with any other evaluation of trees. Trees may be diseased yet be structurally safe, or conversely, appear completely healthy while harboring a major internal defect.
Why Tree Risk Assessments Matter
Risk assessment is one area that homeowners cannot afford to overlook as it would be an unnecessary gamble. Taking time to examine things at this point would definitely be more cost-effective than dealing with storm damages and claims later.
This point is also supported by facts from the insurance sector. In a certain year, 97.7 percent of homeowner’s insurance claims were as a result of property damage and 40 percent of these claims involved wind and hail, which cause tree falling. This is according to the Insurance Information Institute. However, if at a later date it is found that the tree was sickly, then the claim may not be entertained.
Here is a quick summary of what regular tree risk evaluation actually protects.
| What’s at Risk | How Assessment Helps |
| Home and structures | Flags trees likely to fail onto roofs, garages, or fences |
| People and pets | Identifies hazard trees near play areas, driveways, and walkways |
| Insurance claims | Documents proactive maintenance, which can protect coverage |
| Neighboring property | Reduces liability if your tree damages someone else’s land |
| Tree value | Some risks can be corrected with pruning or cabling instead of removal |
Who Performs Risk Assessments for Large Trees?
One of the most frequent questions homeowners ask is how to evaluate their trees for risks, and the answer to this question is not as simple as one would think. Anyone who owns a chainsaw is not automatically entitled to perform tree risk assessment.
The recognized industry standard is ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, known as TRAQ. This program enables arborists to learn the standardized, research-based approach to tree risk assessment according to the ANSI A300 Part 9 standard established through the cooperation of the International Society of Arboriculture and the American National Standards Institute.
The program includes a multi-day course on classroom and field assessments as well as an exam after its completion. It is crucial, as two assessors can come up with completely different evaluations of the same tree without a standardized approach.
Quick Reference Box: Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
TRAQ stands for Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. It is issued by the International Society of Arboriculture. It follows the ANSI A300 Part 9 standard. Training includes classroom instruction plus a field assessment exam.
The DIY Tree Risk Assessment Checklist
You do not need a certification to spot obvious red flags. Walk around each large tree on your property and check for these signs.
Trunk and Bark Signs to Watch For
Begin checking from the bottom and proceed upwards on the tree trunk.
- Deep splits or seams along the trunk, especially any that have occurred following cold weather or a storm
- Peeling and/or absence of bark, revealing the wood beneath
- Mushroom-like growth at the base of the tree, indicating internal decay
- Recent lean in the tree. A tree with a natural lean since its youth is not necessarily diseased
Signs of Root Damage
The roots are more difficult to examine, but equally important.
- Heaved soil on one side of the trunk, a sign of root plate movement
- Root damage from adjacent construction work or trenching
- Saturated or compacted soil, inhibiting good root development
- Decayed or hollow-sounding root flares
Crown and Branch Signs
Look up into the canopy for these red flags.
- Dead branches larger than two inches in diameter, sometimes called widow makers
- Co-dominant stems with a tight V-shaped union, which are prone to splitting
- Thinning canopy or unusual dieback compared to nearby trees of the same species
- Cracked or hanging limbs still caught in the canopy
Here is a simple table to help you rate what you find.
| Sign Observed | Risk Level | Recommended Action |
| Small dead twigs, minor bark loss | Low | Monitor seasonally |
| Large dead limbs, moderate lean | Moderate | Schedule a professional evaluation |
| Trunk cracks, exposed roots, fungal growth | High | Contact a certified arborist promptly |
| Active leaning after a storm, hollow trunk sound | Extreme | Restrict access and call for emergency assessment |
How a Professional Arborist Tree Risk Assessment Works
A DIY checklist is a great starting point, but a professional arborist tree risk assessment goes much deeper. Here is what the process typically looks like.
- Tree inspection through vision. The arborist walks around the tree through 360 degrees and inspects the tree’s roots, trunk, and canopy for any defects.
- Root collar inspection. In the event that the root collar is buried, the arborist will have to uncover it because this region is most prone to invasion by decay pathogens.
- Failure potential rating. Following the ANSI A300 Part 9 standard, the arborist determines the probability that the particular defect would cause failure.
- Impact/consequence rating. The impact on and consequences of the falling limb or tree are taken into account in the assessment.
- Final risk rating. These elements lead to an overall risk rating as either Low, Moderate, High, or Extreme.
This is precisely why a consultation with an experienced professional is essential rather than a mere opinion. When looking for tree risk assessment near me, always seek ISA TRAQ certification rather than tree trimming expertise. Our experts at Monkeyman’s Tree Service are certified arborists who use this precise approach.
Common Causes of Tree Failure
Understanding why trees fail helps explain what the checklist is actually looking for.
| Cause of Failure | What to Watch For |
| Root decay | Fungal growth, soil heaving, soft or hollow root flare |
| Trunk decay | Cracks, cavities, peeling bark, conks |
| Structural defects | Co-dominant stems, included bark, previous storm damage |
| Soil and site changes | Recent construction, trenching, grade changes near roots |
| Storm stress | High winds, ice loading, saturated soil after heavy rain |
Weather affects things more than most people know. Wind and hail contribute a significant number of claims made by homeowners in terms of their insurance due to tree-related problems, and this is one reason why seasonal assessment of trees for cutting takes place near storm season.
Levels of Tree Risk Assessment
But not all trees need the same level of evaluation. In fact, the ISA TRAQ system identifies three different levels of assessment, based on circumstances and available resources.
The Level 1 assessment is the limited visual assessment, typically performed very quickly on a number of trees at once. For example, windshield surveys conducted after a storm fall into this category. Level 1 assessments are appropriate for triage in situations involving numerous trees, but lack the detail to identify all potential internal defects.
Level 2 assessment represents the standard, detailed ground-based inspection of trees. This is the 360-degree walk-around inspection covering root zone, trunk, and crown described above in this guide.
Finally, the Level 3 assessment, or the advanced assessment, relies on specialized tools of inspection, such as resistance drilling, sonic tomography, or aerial inspection equipment. While these tools allow detecting internal decay which would be invisible otherwise, even advanced inspection methods require proper interpretation. A 2021 study in the journal Arboriculture & Urban Forestry showed measurable differences in decay detection even between professionals using identical equipment.
| Assessment Level | What It Involves | Best Used For |
| Level 1 | Quick visual survey | Screening many trees after a storm |
| Level 2 | Detailed ground-based inspection | Standard risk tree service for individual trees |
| Level 3 | Advanced tools and internal diagnostics | High-value or high-risk trees needing deeper analysis |
Most residential situations only need a Level 2 assessment. Level 3 tools typically come into play for large heritage trees, trees with ambiguous internal decay signs, or situations involving potential liability disputes.
Best Practices for Ongoing Tree Risk Evaluation
One inspection alone will not solve the problem permanently. There are changes in the trees themselves and in their susceptibility.
- Have a professional evaluate trees for hazards on an annual to tri-annual basis for large or mature trees.
- Have your trees re-evaluated after major storms, particularly those involving strong winds or ice.
- Maintain a simple written record of observations made at the beginning of each season.
- Be more observant of trees near the driveway, patio, or property lines.
- Do not discount trees that appear to be “in good shape” following a storm, because internal splitting may not be visible.
If a tree shows moderate warning signs but does not need to come down yet, our tree pruning services can often correct structural weak points like co-dominant stems before they become a bigger risk.
Common Mistakes in Tree Hazard Assessment
Even attentive homeowners fall into a few predictable traps.
- A healthy-looking canopy is equal to zero danger. Root and trunk rot may be present despite the condition of the leaves.
- Only inspecting trees after a storm. Numerous defects appear gradually throughout weeks or years.
- Failing to consider trees along the boundary. The liability extends to trees that have a potential to fall onto neighboring property, not only those threatening one’s own.
- Neglecting professional inspection of large and old trees. Ground-level inspection cannot detect all the problems, especially when it comes to interior decay.
- Failing to act upon identifying the red flag tree. The flagged dangerous tree may fall before the next inspection date.
When to Call a Professional Instead of Waiting
Certain times demand action without delay. In case you detect any unexpected tilt, crack widening during windy days, or any root exposure after rainfall, there is no need to wait until your next scheduled inspection.
Our emergency tree services team responds when a hazardous tree poses an immediate risk to people or property. For less urgent concerns, a scheduled visit from our diagnosing plant problems service can determine whether a tree is dealing with disease, pest damage, or a structural issue that needs attention.
Final Thoughts
The tree risk assessment checklist will help you identify any problems that may turn out to be costly down the road. Take frequent walks around your yard, pay attention to the indicators mentioned above, and don’t hesitate to contact professionals in case something appears to be wrong.
In case you have a tree that needs evaluation according to the checklist above, you can rely on Monkeyman’s Tree Service to carry out this task for you.
Contact us now and receive your free estimate!
FAQs
Q1. Will homeowners’ insurance cover damages from a tree that I should’ve gotten rid of?
Ans: No, usually insurers will not pay claims for trees that were visibly affected by disease and neglect prior to falling. This is one of the reasons regular risk assessment is important.
Q2. Who conducts risk assessments for big trees?
Ans: Arborists with ISA TRAQ certification are specially trained in the techniques of tree risk assessment. Look for this certificate rather than general landscaping or pruning skills.
Q3. How often do I need to perform tree risk assessment?
Ans: Typically, arborists advise checking every one to three years. Additional inspections are necessary following stormy weather. Trees near your house or driveway should be checked more frequently.
Q4. What is the ISA tree risk assessment qualification?
Ans: The ISA tree risk assessment qualification is a certification from the International Society of Arboriculture, teaching arborists how to assess tree risk using a uniform process, following the ANSI A300 Part 9 standards.
Q5. Is there ever an instance where a tree with risk factors can be saved instead of cut down?
Ans: Yes, in most cases where trees pose moderate risk, they can be rectified either through pruning, cabling, or root collar excavation. You’ll need a professional to decide what works for your tree.