Every tree will fail if exposed to the proper
conditions! (Photo by Ralph Zentz)
Tree managers cannot plead ignorant when a tree
failure causes property damage or personal injury. (Photo by Ken Wicklund)
Defective trees are not necessarily hazardous. (Photo by Dave Leatherman)
A hazard tree is a tree with a
defect located near a target. Hazard trees are those trees with a structural defect and location that increases the chance of failing and hitting a target. The combination of a defect and target can result in property damage or personal injury.Urban Area Defective Tree Evaluation and Analysis
When developing an inspection program, the tree manager is faced with making decisions on where to start. Compounding this effort is the need for wise use of limited funds. The Urban Area Defective Tree Evaluation and Analysis System is a systematic process designed to assist tree managers with initiating tree inspections and prioritizing hazard trees.
Whether inspecting a single yard with multiple trees, developing a street tree inventory, or reviewing large properties, this system will be helpful.
Hazard tree programs should include three steps: identification, documentation, and corrective action. The Urban Area Defective Tree Evaluation and Analysis System evaluates
tree species, potential targets, and defects present to identify and document hazard trees. The corrective action will always be the decision of the tree manager!The system begins with a
defective tree rating form to determine the hazard rating of all trees. This inspection may be completed with minimally trained staff. All trees with a high rating are then rated again by a trained arborist or forester using a defective tree priority analysis form. The defective tree priority values assist the manager in developing an action plan. Corrective action should begin as soon as possible, starting with the highest priority and working down the list as funding allows.Committee Members
| Bill Cassel, Co-Chair bcassel3@comcast.net Dave Farmer |
Mike Schomaker Colorado State Forest Service 203 Forestry Building Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523 mschomak@lamar.colostate.edu Ken Wicklund City of Longmont 747 Coffman Street Longmont, CO 80501 ken.wicklund@ci.longmont.co.us Ralph Zentz, Co-Chair City of Fort Collins 413 S. Bryan Street Fort Collins, CO 80523 (970) 221-6302 rzentz@co.fort-collins.co.us
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