Managing Tree Hazards and Risk

Hector Arriaga Tree Services

by Communication Department

Dallas, TX

Trees provide numerous benefits to those living and working in the urban environment, which increase with tree size and age. However, older and larger trees are also more likely to drop branches or cause root conflicts on the sites they inhabit. In managing these trees, tree owners must recognize the tree benefits and risks.

Whether hazards are created by strong winds or ice-storms, or whether construction on the site may or already has negatively affected the tree, tree owners should recognize tree risk and management strategies to help ensure trees are able to provide their full complement of benefits.

Click on these links to find out more about recognizing tree risk, safely responding to tree-related storm damage, avoiding damaging trees during construction, and treating trees injured during construction

Recognizing Tree Risk

Trees provide significant benefits to our homes and cities, but when trees fall and injure people or damage property, they are liabilities. Understanding and addressing the risks associated with trees makes your property safer and prolongs the life of the tree.

An arborist can help you manage the trees on your property and can provide treatments that may help reduce the risk associated with certain trees. An arborist familiar with tree risk assessment may suggest one or more of the following:

• Remove the target. While a home or a nearby power line cannot be moved, it is possible to move picnic tables, cars, landscape features, or other possible targets to prevent them from being hit by a falling tree.
• Prune the tree. Remove the defective branches of the tree. Because inappropriate pruning may weaken a tree, pruning work is best done by a Hector Arriaga Tree Services.
• Cable and brace the tree. Provide physical support for weak branches and stems to increase their strength and stability. Such supports are not guarantees against failure.
• Provide routine care. Mature trees need routine care in the form of water, nutrients (in some cases), mulch, and pruning as dictated by the season and their structure.
• Remove the tree. Some trees with unacceptable levels of risk are best removed. If possible, plant a new tree in an appropriate place as a replacement.

Learn more about recognizing tree risk

Call Us:

Hector Arriaga Tree Removal, and Care Specialists

Get A Free Tree Service Quote
(214) 418-5693tree.services@live.com

hectorarriagatreeservices@gmail.com

Web: http://hectorarriagatreeservices.blogspot.com 

Safe Response to Tree-Related Storm Damage

Severe weather can have a lasting impact on your home and the trees in the surrounding landscape. Tearing winds and penetrating rains work together, softening soils and overturning trees. Lightning strikes generate heat that vaporizes water within the tree, causing wood to split and bark to explode. During a storm, the failure of part or all of one mature tree may cause significant damage to personal property or utility lines.

Tree owners can follow these steps to help ensure a safe and effective response to tree-related storm damage:

• Assess the damages
• Take safety precautions
• Resist the urge to do it yourself
• Contact Hector Arriaga Tree Services

Learn more about the safe response to tree-related storm damage

Avoiding Tree Damage During Construction

Homes are often constructed near existing trees to take advantage of their aesthetic and environmental value. Unfortunately, the processes involved with construction can be deadly to nearby trees. Proper planning and care are needed to preserve trees on building sites. An arborist can help you decide which trees can be saved. The arborist can also work with the builder to protect the trees throughout each phase of construction.

Learn more about the avoiding tree damage during construction

Planning

Your arborist and builder should work together early in the planning phase of construction. Sometimes small changes in the placement or design of your house or driveway can make a great difference in whether a critical tree will survive. If utilities cannot be re-routed away from trees, less damaging tunneling and trenching installation techniques exist.

Erect Barriers to Limit Access

The most effective way to prevent damage to trees during construction is erecting barriers to prevent physical damage to the tree and its roots. Set up sturdy fencing around each tree that is to be retained as far out from the trunk as possible, or approximately 1-foot (0.3 m) for each inch (2.5 cm) of trunk diameter.

If possible, limit access to the construction site to only one entrance/exit. Additionally, instruct all contractors where they are permitted to drive and park their vehicles, to help limit soil compaction and root damage. Limit areas permitted for cement wash-out pits, burning of construction materials, and/or equipment storage.

Maintain Good Communication

Communicate your objectives clearly to your arborist, builder, and all subcontractors. Visit the site at least once a day, if possible. Your vigilance will pay off as workers learn to take your wishes seriously. Take photos at every stage of construction.

Treatment of Trees Damaged by Construction

The processes involved in construction can be devastating to the surrounding trees if no measures have been taken to protect them. Remedial treatments may save some construction-damaged trees, but an immediate implementation is critical. If you have trees that have been affected by recent construction, a professional arborist can assess tree viability and risk potential and recommend treatment options.

Learn more about the treatment of trees damaged during construction

Call us!

Hector Arriaga Tree Removal, and Care Specialists

Get A Free Tree Service Quote
(214) 418-5693