Tree risk assessment
Is your tree actually a problem?
A lot of trees look worse than they are. Some look fine and aren't. After 17 years in trees, I'll come look at yours and tell you where it stands.
ISA Certified Arborist PN-7893AT · Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) · 17 years in trees
What it is
What a tree risk assessment is
A tree risk assessment looks at three things together: the condition of the tree, the site it's growing on, and what's underneath it.
Nine signs
When it's worth calling me
One of these on its own doesn't make a tree dangerous. It makes it worth a look.
- A new lean, or one that's getting worse
- Cracks or splits in the trunk
- Soil lifting or cracking at the base
- A hole, wound or soft wood
- Mushrooms or fungus growing on the trunk
- Big dead or hanging branches
- A change after wind, snow or digging
- A tree close to the house or play area
- A concern from strata or a neighbour
Four steps
What happens
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Tell me what's worrying you.
A photo helps me work out how quickly to come.
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I come to the property.
I look at the tree, the ground it's on, and what's around it.
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We talk it through on site.
What I'm seeing, what it means, and what I'd do about it.
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You get a clear next step.
Sometimes that's monitoring. Sometimes it's taking one branch off. Sometimes it's a removal.
If you need it in writing, tell me at the start and I'll set the assessment up for that.
Arborist reports and permitsWhich one you need
Estimate, assessment, or report
These get mixed up constantly.
Not sure which one you need? Tell me what you're trying to decide and I'll point you at the right one.
- Free estimate What tree work would cost and how I'd do it Free
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Tree risk assessment
A proper look at a specific tree concern and what to do about it
Paid
quoted first -
Arborist report
The same look, written up with photos for a city, strata or insurer
Paid
quoted first
FAQ
Questions
How much does a tree risk assessment cost?
It's a paid service, quoted before I start, so you know the cost up front.
Does a leaning tree need to come down?
Usually not. Plenty of trees have leaned for decades. What matters is whether the lean is new, whether it's increasing, and whether the soil at the base is moving.
Can you assess a tree from a photo?
I can tell whether to come quickly. I can't do an assessment from a photo. It won't show me the roots, the site or what's underneath.
Does a hollow tree always need removing?
No. A hole is one part of the picture. Where it is, how much solid wood is left around it, and what's below the tree all matter more than the hole itself.
Do I need a TRAQ arborist for a permit?
Sometimes. It depends on your city and the type of application. Some hazardous tree permits specifically require a TRAQ qualified arborist.
Arborist reports and permitsCan you assess trees on strata property?
Yes. It can be one tree or a walk of the whole property, depending on what the council needs.
What if a tree has already come down?
Call me at 604-315-3512. Stay well clear of it, and call BC Hydro if there are any lines involved.
Next step
Get a straight answer
You don't need to decide anything before you call. Tell me what the tree is doing and I'll come look at it.
Book an assessment