Hello again, Westside Gardeners! As you all know, I truly love my profession as a certified master arborist. When I go out for a risk tree assessment, it isn’t a gut feeling but a systematic process based on biology, physics and experience.
When I evaluate a tree, I am looking at four main factors: decay, structure, soils and roots and storm exposure. Internal decay isn’t always visible from the outside. Fungal bodies, cavities, seam cracks and old wounds can indicate a loss of structural strength long before failure occurs.
Poor branch attachments, codominant stems, overextended limbs and past improper pruning all affect how a tree handles load. Structure tells us where failure is most likely to occur.
Here in the Westside, soil conditions matter just as much as the tree itself. Compacted soil, shallow root systems, root damage and drainage issues directly impact stability, especially after heavy rain.
Wind direction, surrounding structures, canopy density and previous storm damage all factor into how a tree will perform during severe weather.
Risk isn’t about whether a tree will fail—it’s about the likelihood of failure and consequences if it does. That’s why International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborists rely on assessment rather than assumptions.
The goal is always the same: reduce risk while preserving healthy trees whenever possible.
