Tree Risk Assessments

Trees are living structures that change over time. Age, defects, disease, storm damage, construction activity, root disturbance, and changing site conditions can all affect a tree’s structural integrity and long-term viability.

DELA provides professional Tree Risk Assessments to evaluate tree condition, identify visible defects and potential concerns, and provide practical recommendations for managing those conditions.

Depending on the tree and site conditions, evaluations may include:

• Overall tree health and vigor
• Trunk and branch structure
• Root flare and visible root conditions
• Cavities, decay, cracks, wounds, and other defects
• Dead or declining limbs
• Lean and structural form
• Evidence of root disturbance or construction impacts
• Soil and surrounding site conditions
• Potential targets such as homes, buildings, vehicles, pedestrian areas, and other improvements

Following the assessment, DELA can provide recommendations appropriate to the observed conditions, which may include:

• Monitoring and periodic reassessment
• Corrective or selective pruning
• Root-zone investigation
• Air-Spade excavation
• Soil and root-zone improvements
• Tree preservation measures
• Additional advanced evaluation when warranted
• Tree removal when preservation is no longer considered appropriate

The presence of a defect does not necessarily mean a tree should be removed.

DELA approaches tree assessment with the goal of understanding the tree, evaluating the surrounding conditions, and identifying reasonable measures to manage risk while preserving valuable trees whenever practical.

Where additional investigation or specialized testing is warranted, DELA can coordinate with other qualified tree-care professionals.

Thoughtful evaluation allows informed decisions—not simply assumptions based on a tree’s size, age, or appearance.