There are many risks in trees that can be minimized if
you take the time to look and be aware of dangerous possibilities. Some hazards
are obvious to the naked eye, such as the lightning strike in the pine tree at right. Some present themselves as clues needing further
investigation, and others can be seen only upon close inspection. Always check a tree for its health and for potential
hazards before you climb it. It doesn’t matter if you have climbed the tree
many times before. Conditions change! Branches can die or partially break from
a storm the night before; a tree’s roots can become dislodged by high winds. Outdoor
conditions can change momentarily.
Train
yourself to look with a keen eye. Always inspect your regular climbing trees in
the springtime when the trees have produced new leaves. Also take a look at
your trees after a severe storm.
There
are four distinct assessment “zones” to look at before you climb a tree. What
follows is a discussion of each to determine how and what to look for to detect
potential risks in a tree.
There are many risks in trees that can be minimized if
you take the time to look and be aware of dangerous possibilities. Some hazards
are obvious to the naked eye, such as the lightning strike in the pine tree at right. Some present themselves as clues needing further
investigation, and others can be seen only upon close inspection. Always check a tree for its health and for potential
hazards before you climb it. It doesn’t matter if you have climbed the tree
many times before. Conditions change! Branches can die or partially break from
a storm the night before; a tree’s roots can become dislodged by high winds. Outdoor
conditions can change momentarily.