Tree Risk Assessment in the Hills District: How to Spot Hazardous Trees Before Storm Season
A practical homeowner's guide to identifying hazardous trees, understanding TRAQ‑style risk ratings, and planning remediation before Sydney's storm season.
Treemendous Tree Care
10 min read
Key Takeaways
- Common red flags include lean changes, root plate heave, cracks and decay
- Professional assessments prioritise targets, likelihood and consequences
- Many trees can be retained with pruning or support systems
- Document assessments for insurance and council communications
Spot hazards before storms
Sydney’s storm season can turn small defects into major failures. A structured risk assessment helps find problems early and prioritise works. This guide explains the red flags, how pros assess risk, and what to do next – often without removing the tree.
Common red flags
- New or increasing lean; changes after recent weather.
- Root plate heave, soil cracks, or fungal brackets around the base.
- Longitudinal cracks, included bark unions, or large dead/dying limbs.
- Previous poor pruning (topping/lopping) creating defects.
How arborists assess risk
We consider the defect, the likelihood of failure, the target beneath, and the likely consequences. Frameworks similar to TRAQ turn this into a practical priority. Many trees fall into ‘low to moderate’ risk with the right maintenance plan.
Remediation options (keep the tree where safe)
- Selective pruning to remove defects and reduce end‑weight.
- Cabling/bracing to support weak unions in valuable specimens.
- Soil improvement, mulching and irrigation adjustments.
- Target management – moving seating, sheds or play areas out of the fall zone.
Insurance & documentation
Photograph issues, keep dates of assessments and works, and file invoices/reports. This record helps with insurance discussions after storms and supports council communications if approvals are needed.
When removal is the right call
Severely decayed stems, major root failure, or trees with critical defects above high‑use targets may warrant removal. We’ll discuss the options and, if needed, plan a safe, compliant tree removal with stump grinding.
A simple annual plan
- Late winter inspection for structure and deadwood.
- Pre‑storm review (spring): reduce end‑weight and correct defects.
- Post‑storm check after significant weather events.
- Book a professional assessment if you notice rapid changes.
Book a risk assessment with our AQF‑qualified arborists. We service The Hills Shire and neighbouring suburbs.
Treemendous Tree Care
Certified Arborists
Our certified arborists have over 20 years of experience providing professional tree care services across Sydney's Hills District. We're committed to delivering safe, environmentally responsible, and high-quality tree solutions for residential and commercial properties throughout the Hills District and surrounding suburbs.
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