when to use tree risk assessment form

J

Joster19

Location
Ames
A potential client asked me to give him an estimate for trimming a tree over a house and patio on the property he manages. The house is the location of parties during football season. Tree is a pin oak, ~65ft tall, up to ~35ft crown radius, 33-36" DBH. there is a slight lean towards the house and it is on top of a hill , mostly exposed to the prevailing north and west winds. I noticed a small fruiting body arising near the root flare on the side closest to the house, another piece that appeared to have been broken off, and then a much larger, ~14x4 inch fungal growth on the side away from the house. the patio pavers are not completely impervious as the polysand seems to have worn away, however, a 3-ft wide walkway is laid almost directly up against the root flare on the east side.
I would normally just advise them to complete a "basal trim" but, if they want to live with the risk, we could remove the large dead scattered around the canopy, have them sign a hold harmless agreement and recommend annual monitoring for future die back and change in trunk lean. I took a class this week in which a BCMA, James Komen, taught about using the a300 standards to defend ourselves and also beware of responsibility/liability as tree assessors. This provokes some more caution in how I approach this particular situation. I am not TRAQ qualified, but would this form provide a more robust defense in case I were to ever get any court? any other thoughts on how you approach such a situation?
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Idk, doubt it would give you much more or a defense. Probably the opposite if you did it if you're not TRAQ. It would give the customer a more objective understanding of the associated risks for them (tree manager) to make appropriate management decisions within their acceptable threshold for risk. Who knows, perhaps it's not as bad as it seems and they'd be losing a $50,000 tree. Is the lean self corrected? Has it changed recently (can check Google)? Signs of heaving? History and species profile? Response growth? Are the fungi attached to the tree? What's the species of fungi and how does it generally interact with trees, brown/white rot? Saprophytic/parasitic? Extent and location of decay? Load on defect(s)? Etc. Some game parties during a season doesn't sound like that much increased exposure for people considering every day/hour in a year. Home would most likely be the target with the highest level of risk as it is constant. Anyways hope that helps some, James is a great guy, you can probably reach out to him as well.
 
If you are uncomfortable evaluating, advise they hire someone who is TRAQ and see what they say.

Most people would appreciate/respect that you don't want to jump to conclusions not take their money for pruning a tree that should be removed. I'll bet if the assessment helps them keep the tree they'll have you doing the work.
 
Get your TRAQ.
Just be clear on your estimate
‘this quote is in response to the customer’s request for pruning x tree. This estimate does not warranty or implied warranty tree safety or potential for failure which may or may not cause damages’
When you hand it to them let them know your findings and recommend a TRAQ assessment. Do not give a Traq assessment, but explain your risk assessment based on a pre climb inspection.
 
I’m pretty sure not being TRAQ’d filling out that form will hurt you more than help if it came to court. That form and procedure is designed for individuals who are trained in that process. It’s a funny thing because an experienced arborist is trained at a level 1 and probably even a level 2 assessment; but again, that form is designed for someone with TRAQ. You can communicate a level 1 or 2 risk assessment without using the TRAQ form.
 
thank you all for your counsel! It affirms the suspicion I had that although it is a very rigorous and helpful evaluation tool, it would be unwise to directly utilize a form associated with a particular certification that I do not yet hold.
As I expected, despite my warning the client wants me to trim the tree. I'm going to have them sign below my statements about the risk associated with the fungal fruiting bodies at the root flare of the tree. on the bright side, it doesn't seem this tree got tore up by our inland hurricane/derecho 3 years ago so it hopefully has some integrity for a little while and the majority of our storms happen prior to their football season gatherings. Still, I don't think I would want to live with its risk though...

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Might want to add a recommendation for reduction pruning, and removing the pavers from the root crown area.
*If* the rot from the fungi is structurally weakening the tree, and the tree is to be retained the recommendation for a reduction prune would likely be listed as a mitigation option on with a Risk Assessment. Same for the pavers... You'll be in the tree anyway, and set up.
 
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