Hello Marc,

Almost everything we do involves risk:

• When we drive a car, there is a risk we will be involved in an accident.
• When we climb a ladder, there is a risk we could be injured.
• When we trust the tuna salad that "might" have been in the fridge a little too long - well, there's risk there too!

If you have trees on your property, there is risk that they might cause property damage, injuries - or even death.

As with other building systems, trees require proactive maintenance to reduce risk, promote tree health, and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the property's landscaping design.

Proactive maintenance helps to identify and resolve problems before they damage (or kill) the tree. In addition, proper pruning and maintenance reduce the chance of injuries, deaths, and

property damage if a tree (or limb) falls.

The annual cost to maintain trees properly is significantly lower than the cost to cure future problems caused by improper maintenance.

To help manage risk, real estate managers should hire a tree care specialist - typically a certified arborist - to perform regular tree inspections and maintenance (proactive and reactive).

The scope of work for tree care should include:

• Inspection & Assessment
• A tree inspection evaluates a tree’s health, vigor, and structural development while calling attention to any changes in the tree’s health before a severe problem can develop.

• Defects
• The tree care specialist will evaluate the tree for poor health, such as trunk defects or decay, damaged branches, loose bark, or deformities.
• Major defects caused by construction damage, storm damage, improper pruning, and rot must be addressed.

• Soil Type & Environment
• The specialist also assesses the tree’s soil type, slope, aspect, and placement. Each type of tree has slightly different needs regarding soil type, drainage, nutrients, pH, sunlight, and water requirements.

• Mulching
• Mulch can reduce the impact and stress on the tree’s roots by keeping the roots moist and cool.
• Mulched tree rings also help to prevent damage to the trunk base and the tops of exposed roots that lawnmowers and string trimmers can cause.
• Mulch also helps eliminate competition for water and nutrients from the surrounding weeds and grasses.

• Canopy
• Next, the tree care specialist will evaluate the tree canopy for its balance, structure, form, and density.

• Pruning
• Pruning is necessary to remove dead, diseased, or insect-infested branches, improve the canopy structure, enhance vigor, and maintain safety.
• Pruning also increases light penetration inside the tree’s canopy and to the landscape below.
• Pruning large, mature trees requires special education, training, experience, and equipment. This work can be dangerous if done improperly, and it is usually best left to professionals who can complete it safely.

Check out these additional resources:

• International Society of Arboriculture (ASI)
• Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
• Davey Tree Experts
• Arbor Day Foundation
• Friends of Trees