The Value of Regular Inspections for High Risk trees/ and The Aftermath of Missed Ones

Annual risk assessments/inspections of your canopy trees by an ISA Certified Arborist can save you time, money and even your life. Recently a large Elm tree failed in New York City's Historic Central Park causing significant injuries. This particular tree can be considered high risk due to its limited planting space something that should always be kept in mind when planting new trees make sure enough space is available for the root system. Also of note the tree did receive an annual inspection but due to its high risk should most likely have been inspected on a more frequent basis or through use of a more advanced technique such as through use of a resistograph. A weblink to the full article is available here: https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170816/upper-west-side/central-park-tree-injuries

 Photograph Courtesy of Fox News/ Associated Press

Does My Tree Need to be Removed/ Why Perform an Annual Inspection?

Recent research has confirmed the importance of proper tree selection, planting depth, tree quality and adequate space for proper tree establishment. Of equal importance is an annual inspection to schedule/perform required maintenance including pruning, mulching, treatment for diseases/insect infestations and fertilizing for nutrient deficiencies. But what are some of the sudden warning signs to be aware of that may indicate your tree needs to be inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist?

• Sudden unexpected lean/shift in the root plate area. This could be due to a recent wind event, broken pipe underneath the tree or from recent root pruning due to a street and or sidewalk repair. Can be remedied in some cases with younger trees. 
• Canopy suddenly turns brown/yellow or defoliates completely (not seasonal related). Could indicate lightning strike, fungal infection, chemical spill etc. Can potentially be treated with fungicides, insecticides, soil remediation or other alternatives.
• Sudden limb/branch shedding in calm weather. Substantial loss of canopy/branches/limbs can be indicative of root zone damage and or major issues that require an immediate onsite inspection from an ISA Certified Arborist. Can potentially be addressed through structural pruning.
• Large cracks/scorch marks with bark loss. Could indicate lightning strike and or high wind events that might have compromised a tree's structural integrity. Tree may or not be salvageable depending on size of cracks and tree structural integrity. 

It's a good rule of thumb to have all your canopy trees evaluated at least annually by an ISA Certified Arborist and as part of a routine tree maintenance plan. Often the observed defects/failure events can be remedied but sometimes tree removal becomes the only/best option.

For additional information concerning tree risk assessment please visit Dr. Ed Gilman's website below:

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/hazard-trees.shtml