Staged Tree Failure Video
The Importance of Tree Risk Assessment, a Demonstration Tree Failure Video
While healthy trees provide numerous benefits, there is also risk associated with trees that are near valuable structures and possessions. Sometimes the consequences of tree failure can be severe. Priceless property such as homes and even human lives are lost or destroyed due to trees that are not properly managed. Property owners are responsible for, and should regularly assess, monitor and maintain their trees.
In an effort to demonstrate severe or extreme consequences of tree failure, Bluestone Tree staged a tree failure video by intentionally felling a tree across a house. This demonstration was carried out by tree care industry professionals. The home was scheduled for demolition by the land owner and the tree was identified as a candidate for removal due to the construction that is taking place on the property.
The video is for demonstration purposes only. Bluestone Tree implemented a detailed safety plan for the demonstration, which involved clearing the house and the immediate area around.
Tree Risk Assessment “Targets”
Tree risk assessors define valuable structures and possessions that could face damage as “targets”. There are two categories.
Static Targets
Structures such as a home, commercial building or large playground are considered static targets that cannot be moved. Property owners should take the proper steps when assessing their trees for risk, especially around static targets with high occupancy rates.
Dynamic Targets
Vehicles, pedestrians and small playgrounds are examples of dynamic targets that are movable. Dynamic targets can simply be moved if they are near trees with moderate to high risk levels. Property owners should be consistently assessing their trees, especially after major weather events.
ISA Certified Arborists with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) can also assist property owners and managers to identify any risks associated with the trees on their property. They can organize a mitigation plan to reduce the risk associated with their trees. Arborist with a TRAQ use many factors to assign an overall risk rating on trees. The tree’s overall health, species characteristics, defects, wind exposure, soil types and saturation, and pest or disease damage are all considered when assessing risk. They consider the likelihood of failure (whole tree or section of a tree) and it impacting a target. Ultimately, TRAQ arborists consider the the consequences of failure.