Likelihood of Failure
How likely is the identified tree part to fail during the stated time frame?
The Decision in Front of You
A tree may look unsafe. The next step should not be based on appearance alone.
Something looks off—a lean, a crack appears, a broken limb—these may all justify a closer look. The purpose of a tree risk assessment is to organize those concerns within a defined scope and time frame.
ArborSolutions documents observable conditions, identifies potential failure parts, considers the targets that could be affected, and explains reasonable risk-mitigation options. The assessment can help you decide whether monitoring, pruning, restricted access, further testing, or removal should be considered.
Understand the visible risk before approving pruning, removal, access restrictions, or other expensive work.
When It Matters
Situations that call for a closer, documented review.
A formal assessment is most useful when a tree concern is tied to a person, structure, road, vehicle, neighboring property, common area, or other identifiable target.
- A tree has developed a new lean, crack, cavity, split, or dead top.
- A large limb or tree part has recently failed.
- Wind, fire, flooding, or saturated soil may have changed conditions.
- Construction, trenching, grading, or irrigation changes occurred near roots.
- A tree is near a home, driveway, road, play area, parking area, or common space.
- An HOA, manager, buyer, neighbor, or agency needs a written record.
- A contractor has recommended major pruning or removal.
- The concern needs monitoring, prioritization, or a defined reassessment interval.
How Tree Risk Is Evaluated
Risk is more than finding a defect.
ISA tree risk methodology brings three parts of the decision together. Each is considered within the assessment time frame and stated scope.
Likelihood of Impact
If failure occurs, how likely is the tree part to strike the identified target?
Consequences
What level of harm or damage could reasonably result if the target is struck?
These factors are combined to assign an ISA risk category: Low · Moderate · High · Extreme
The Right Scope
Three levels of assessment. One should match the assignment.
Not every tree concern needs the same level of investigation. The assessment level is selected according to the assignment, access, visible conditions, and the information needed for the decision.
Limited Visual Assessment
A rapid visual review of an individual tree or population of trees from a specified perspective. It is useful for screening and prioritization, but it provides less detail than a basic assessment.
Basic Assessment
A detailed, ground-based visual inspection of the tree and site from reasonably accessible areas. Basic tools may be used. Potential failure parts, targets, consequences, risk category, and mitigation options are documented.
Advanced Assessment
Additional investigation used when a specific concern cannot be adequately evaluated through a basic assessment. This may involve specialized equipment, testing, climbing or excavation.
What You Receive
Documentation built around the decision—not a generic checklist.
The report explains what was inspected, what was observed, what could be affected, and what practical actions should be considered.
It is written so a property owner, board member, manager, contractor, buyer, or reviewing professional can understand the findings without translating technical shorthand.
A typical written assessment may include:
- Assignment, scope, assessment level, and time frame
- Tree identification, measurements, and site context
- Targets and occupancy considerations
- Observed defects and potential failure parts
- Likelihood, consequences, and ISA risk categorization
- Photographs tied to the written observations
- Mitigation options and priority recommendations
- Inspection limitations and reassessment guidance
Independent by Design
The assessment is separate from selling the work.
Tree-care contractors play an important role in pruning, removal, and maintenance. ArborSolutions serves a different role.
We inspect. We diagnose. We document. Because we do not perform tree work, the assessment and recommendations are not tied to revenue from pruning or removal. That gives property owners, boards, managers, and contractors a clearer record to work from.
Central Coast Context
Local site conditions matter to the assessment.
Tree risk is influenced by more than species and visible defects. The surrounding property, recent site changes, weather history, soil conditions, and target use all affect the assignment.
Weather & Soil Cycles
Drought, heavy rain, saturated soils, wind exposure, erosion, and slope conditions can change loading and root-zone performance.
Root-Zone Changes
Trenching, grading, paving, pool work, landscape renovation, irrigation changes, and soil compaction may alter tree condition or stability.
Property Use
Homes, roads, driveways, parking, common areas, neighboring property, and public access create different target and occupancy conditions.
A Straightforward Process
From concern to documented next steps.
Describe the concern
Tell us what changed, what is nearby, who is asking, and what decision is pending.
Define the scope
We identify the tree or trees, targets, assessment level, access, and needed deliverable.
Inspect the site
The tree, surrounding site, targets, and reasonably observable conditions are evaluated.
Receive the record
You receive plain-language findings, photographs, recommendations, and documented limitations.
Who We Help
Tree risk documentation for real property decisions.
Homeowners
When a tree concern affects a home, driveway, neighboring property, family-use area, or major spending decision.
HOA Boards
When the board needs a consistent record before approving work, restricting access, responding to an owner, or setting priorities.
Property Managers
When conditions, vendor recommendations, budgets, and owner communication need to be organized around documented facts.
Real Estate & Project Teams
When a mature tree concern may affect due diligence, construction planning, access, scheduling, or a reviewing authority.
Questions
Simple answers before you call.
What is a Level 2 Basic Tree Risk Assessment?
A Level 2 Basic Assessment is a detailed, ground-based visual inspection of a tree and its surrounding site. The assessor evaluates potential failure parts, targets, likelihood of failure, likelihood of impact, consequences, and practical risk-mitigation options within a stated time frame and scope.
What are the three levels of tree risk assessment?
Level 1 is a Limited Visual Assessment. Level 2 is a Basic Assessment. Level 3 is an Advanced Assessment. The appropriate level depends on the assignment, access, observed conditions, and the information needed for the decision.
Does a tree risk assessment guarantee that a tree is safe?
No. Tree risk cannot be eliminated, and trees can fail without obvious warning. An assessment documents conditions visible and reasonably discoverable during the inspection, within the stated scope, access, tools, and time frame.
Is a tree risk assessment the same as a FAIR Plan or defensible-space review?
No. A tree risk assessment focuses on tree failure potential and identified targets. FAIR Plan and wildfire documentation address a broader set of vegetation, clearance, and property conditions. A risk assessment may be added when a specific tree concern requires it.
Do you perform pruning or tree removal?
No. ArborSolutions provides independent assessment, reporting, and documentation. When work is recommended, you select a qualified tree-care contractor.
Where does ArborSolutions provide tree risk assessments?
We serve Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, including Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta, Carpinteria, Santa Ynez Valley, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Orcutt, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and nearby Central Coast communities.
Assessment limitations matter.
A tree risk assessment is based on the assignment, level of assessment, access, tools, time frame, and conditions visible or reasonably discoverable on the inspection date. Concealed decay, underground roots, internal defects, changing weather, future site work, and other conditions may not be fully observable.
No arborist can guarantee that a tree or tree part will not fail. Recommendations are intended to help the owner or risk manager make informed decisions and manage—not eliminate—tree risk.
ArborSolutions does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee municipal, HOA, insurance, lending, or other third-party acceptance or outcomes.
Professional Framework
Standards and guidance used for tree risk assessment.
- International Society of Arboriculture. Tree Risk Assessment Manual, Third Edition (2025), and ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification program materials. ISA TRAQ information.
- International Society of Arboriculture. Best Management Practices—Tree Risk Assessment, Third Edition (2025).
- ANSI A300 Part 9. Tree Risk Assessment standard addressing structure-assessment practices, levels of assessment, risk analysis and reporting, and owner determination. TCIA standard overview.