Risk & Portfolio
Management

Tree risk assessments are used to understand how likely a tree is to fail and what the impact could be if it does. Each tree is considered in context, including its structure, health, species characteristics, and what or who is around it. The aim is to make informed, practical decisions that balance safety with the value trees provide in the landscape.

An assessment typically involves a close inspection of the tree for visible defects such as decay, weak branch unions, root issues, or signs of stress. These observations are combined with an understanding of site conditions and environmental factors to judge how stable the tree is and whether any action is needed.

When carried out regularly, tree risk assessments help track changes over time and identify issues early. They form part of a wider inspection cycle that supports consistent monitoring and clear decision-making, helping maintain safer urban environments while retaining healthy, valuable trees where possible.

Instead of treating each tree in isolation, this approach looks at the broader network, helping to understand where attention is needed most and how conditions are changing across different sites and landscapes.

Inspections are scheduled at set intervals based on factors such as tree location, site use, and level of exposure to people or infrastructure. High-traffic or higher-consequence areas are checked more frequently, while lower-risk zones are reviewed on longer cycles. This ensures resources are focused where they have the greatest impact.

By repeating inspections in a consistent cycle, it becomes easier to identify emerging issues, track tree health over time, and respond before problems develop further. This creates a more predictable and proactive approach to tree care, supporting safer environments while maintaining the long-term value of the urban forest.

This includes details such as species, size, condition, and location, creating a structured dataset that can be used to understand the wider tree population rather than individual trees alone.

By placing this information into a GIS-based system, trees can be viewed spatially in relation to their surroundings, including infrastructure, land use, and areas of public activity. This makes it easier to identify patterns, understand distribution, and see how trees interact with the built environment.

Over time, this mapped inventory becomes a living record that can be updated as trees grow, change, or are re-evaluated. It supports better planning, more efficient maintenance, and clearer decision-making by turning complex tree data into an accessible, visual tool.