Likelihood of Failure
How likely is the identified tree part to fail during the stated time frame?
Independent by Design
The evaluation 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, diagnose, document, and explain the options before a property owner, manager, or board commits to major work.
Because ArborSolutions does not perform pruning or removal, the assessment is not tied to revenue from a particular scope of tree work. You receive an independent record to help you approve work with confidence, request proposals that match the documented need, prioritize concerns, or decide that monitoring or further investigation is more appropriate.
You retain control of the next step. If work is recommended, you choose the qualified tree-care contractor.
The Decision in Front of You
A tree may look unsafe. The next step should be based on more than appearance alone.
What is a tree risk assessment? It is a systematic, site-specific evaluation of a defined tree or tree part, its potential to fail, the likelihood that a failure could affect an identified target, and the likely consequences within a stated scope and time frame.
A new lean, visible crack, cavity, broken limb, dead top, or site change may justify a closer look. The purpose is not to promise certainty; it is to organize the observable facts around the decision you need to make.
ArborSolutions documents observable conditions, identifies potential failure parts, considers the people or property that could be affected, and explains reasonable risk-management options. Depending on the assignment, those options may include monitoring, pruning, restricted access, further investigation, or removal.
Before authorizing pruning, removal, access restrictions, or another expensive response, understand what is known, what could be affected, and what remains outside the inspection scope.
When Documentation Matters
Situations where an independent assessment can bring clarity to the decision.
A formal assessment is especially useful when a tree concern involves a person, structure, road, vehicle, neighboring property, common area, project, budget, contractor recommendation, or other identifiable target.
- A tree has developed a new lean, crack, cavity, split, dead top, or another visible change.
- A large limb or tree part has recently failed, or storm conditions have changed the site.
- Heavy rain, saturated soil, wind exposure, fire, flooding, erosion, or slope conditions may be relevant.
- Trenching, grading, paving, pool work, construction, landscape renovation, compaction, or irrigation changes occurred near roots.
- The tree is near a home, driveway, road, play area, parking area, utility, common space, or neighboring property.
- An HOA, manager, buyer, neighbor, agency, insurer, lender, or project team needs a written record.
- A contractor has recommended substantial pruning or removal and you want an independent basis for evaluating the recommendation.
- Several tree concerns need prioritization, monitoring guidance, 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
We match the assessment to the decision.
You do not need to determine whether you need Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 before contacting us. The appropriate scope depends on the assignment question, tree or trees involved, access, visible conditions, identified targets, and the information needed to make a responsible decision.
Limited Visual Assessment
A rapid visual review of an individual tree or population from a specified perspective. It can be 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. Potential failure parts, targets, likelihood, consequences, risk category, and practical mitigation options are documented within the stated scope and time frame.
Advanced Assessment
Used when a defined concern cannot be adequately evaluated through a basic assessment. Depending on the question, this may involve specialized testing, aerial inspection, root-zone investigation, excavation, or another appropriate method. Advanced work is separately scoped when warranted.
What You Receive
A written decision record—not a generic checklist.
The assessment is organized around the concern you are trying to resolve: what was inspected, what was observed, what could be affected, and what reasonable actions should be considered.
Your report is written so a property owner, board member, manager, contractor, buyer, or reviewing professional can understand the findings without translating technical shorthand.
That means you can use the documentation to support a work-approval discussion, obtain appropriately scoped contractor proposals, communicate with stakeholders, prioritize budget decisions, or establish a monitoring record.
A typical written assessment may include:
- Assignment question, stated scope, assessment level, and time frame
- Tree identification, measurements, site context, and relevant property-use conditions
- Identified targets and occupancy considerations
- Observable defects, conditions, and potential failure parts
- Likelihood of failure, likelihood of impact, consequences, and ISA risk categorization
- Photographs tied directly to written observations
- Practical management options, priorities, and reassessment guidance where appropriate
- Inspection limitations, access constraints, and information outside the assessment scope
Central Coast Context
Central Coast site conditions can change the question.
Tree risk is influenced by more than species and visible defects. Observable site conditions, recent changes, weather history, soils, slope, and how the property is used all help define 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.
If there appears to be an immediate danger
Keep people, vehicles, and pets away from the area. If a tree or tree part presents an immediate threat to people, property, or access, contact emergency services or a qualified emergency tree-care provider as appropriate. Do not wait for a scheduled assessment before addressing an immediate hazard.
A Straightforward Process
From concern to a documented next step.
Describe the concern
Tell us what changed, what could be affected, who is asking, and what decision or deadline is pending.
Define the scope
We identify the tree or trees, relevant targets, access, assessment level, and the deliverable needed for the decision.
Inspect the site
The tree, surrounding site, targets, and reasonably observable conditions are evaluated within the defined assignment.
Receive the record
You receive plain-language findings, photographs, practical options, and documented limitations for the next conversation or decision.
Who We Help
Independent tree-risk documentation for real property decisions.
Homeowners
When a tree concern affects a home, driveway, neighboring property, family-use area, or a major work-approval decision.
HOA Boards
When the board needs a consistent record before authorizing work, restricting access, responding to an owner, or setting maintenance priorities. See also our HOA documentation services.
Property Managers
When visible 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, a transaction, construction planning, access, scheduling, or a reviewing authority.
Questions
Clear answers before you call.
What does a tree risk assessment cost?
The cost depends on the number of trees, site access, assessment level, identified targets, visible conditions, report format, and whether further investigation is needed. A site consultation is $175 per hour with a one-hour minimum. Formal tree risk assessments and written reports are quoted in advance after the assignment scope is defined. A free phone consultation is available to help determine the right starting point.
Do I need a risk assessment before removing a tree?
Not always. Straightforward removals may be handled directly by a qualified tree-care contractor. An independent assessment is most valuable when the condition is uncertain, the tree affects a meaningful target, the proposed work is costly or disputed, multiple parties are involved, or a written record is needed before a decision is made.
Can you provide an independent opinion about a contractor recommendation?
Yes. ArborSolutions can evaluate the tree concern and document observable conditions, targets, and practical options within the defined assignment scope. The purpose is not to criticize a contractor; it is to give the owner, manager, or board an independent basis for evaluating the recommendation. For this type of need, you may also review our second-opinion services.
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-management 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. You do not need to choose the level before calling; ArborSolutions can help define the appropriate scope.
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 potential tree failure and identified targets. FAIR Plan and wildfire documentation address broader vegetation, clearance, and property conditions. A risk assessment may be added when a specific tree concern requires it. Learn more about FAIR Plan documentation and wildland fire assessment.
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 Tree Care Standards. Current consolidated tree care standards; tree risk assessment is addressed in Clause 13. The 2025 ISA Tree Risk Assessment BMP is identified by ISA as a companion to this clause. TCIA ANSI A300 standards overview.