If you’re starting to worry about a tree near your home, it can be difficult to tell when your concerns become a real safety risk. A clear, simple tree risk assessment checks the tree’s condition, identifies any potential hazards, and helps you understand what action is needed—and how urgently. This gives you peace of mind and ensures the safety of your property and family.
A tree risk assessment is a structured look at a tree and its surroundings to judge how likely it is to fail and what could be hit if it does. It is not about talking you into removing trees, but about understanding the level of risk so you can make informed decisions.
The assessor will look at three main things: the condition of the tree, any defects that might make it weaker, and the targets nearby such as homes, driveways, cars or public footpaths. They then consider both the chance of something going wrong and the potential consequences if it did.
In simple terms, a tree risk assessment answers two questions: how likely is this tree or branch to fail, and what could it damage or injure if it falls?
Not every odd feature on a tree means danger. However, certain changes are strong clues that you should arrange a professional inspection, especially if the tree is close to buildings, boundaries or places people walk and park.
If you notice any of these, it is sensible to get the tree checked sooner rather than later:
Cracks in the trunk or main branches, especially if they look fresh or are widening
Cavities or hollow sections where wood is missing or decayed
Fungi or mushrooms at the base of the tree or on the trunk
A new or sudden lean that was not there before
Heaving or lifting soil around the base, often after strong winds
Dead or dying top growth, with sparse leaves or bare branches
Previous storm damage, such as torn-out limbs or ripped bark
Branches hanging over roofs, driveways or play areas
Context matters too. A defect on a tree in the far corner of a large garden is usually less urgent than the same defect above a busy driveway or children’s play area. If you are unsure how serious something is, a professional opinion can be reassuring.
You do not need an expert for every minor concern, but there are clear situations where a tree risk assessment is worth arranging. If a tree is large, close to your home, near neighbours, or by a public path or road, it is sensible to be more cautious.
Consider booking a professional visit if you notice multiple warning signs, if defects seem to be getting worse, or if you are regularly worrying about the tree in high winds. It is also wise to arrange an assessment after major storms, or when you move into a new property with mature or very tall trees.
A professional tree risk assessment is usually a visual inspection carried out from the ground. The arborist will walk around the tree, look up into the canopy, and examine the base and root area if access allows.
They will look for defects such as cracks, decay, cavities, crossing branches, poor pruning cuts and signs of root problems. They also take into account soil conditions, wind exposure, and what is beneath or near the tree, such as roofs, outbuildings, cars or public spaces.
After assessing the tree, you should receive clear recommendations. These might include pruning to remove dead or weak branches, reducing the size of the crown to lessen loading, monitoring the tree over time, or in some cases, removing the tree if the risk is unacceptably high and cannot be reduced in other ways.
You can help the process go smoothly by gathering a few details before the arborist arrives. This does not need to be technical: simple information is very useful.
Recent photos of the whole tree and any specific defects or damage
Notes on access, such as narrow driveways, overhead wires or nearby structures
Any history you know, such as previous storm damage, pruning, or building works close to the tree
Sharing these details in advance can help the tree surgeon plan the visit and give more accurate advice when they are on site.
Some trees are legally protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or because they are within a conservation area. This protection can affect the type of work you are allowed to carry out, including pruning and felling.
If you think a tree might be protected, it is important to check with your local authority before any non-urgent work goes ahead. Even if you are worried about safety, there is usually a process to follow, and the council may ask for details of the risk assessment before granting consent.
Urgent safety work may sometimes be allowed without prior permission, but you will often still need to provide evidence that the work was necessary. Keeping clear records, including photographs and the arborist’s written findings, can be very helpful. For more background, you can read our separate guide on TPOs here: Tree Preservation Orders guide.
If you are worried that a tree on your property might be hazardous, do not ignore that instinct. A straightforward tree risk assessment can give you clarity, highlight any urgent issues, and outline practical options such as pruning, reduction, removal or simple monitoring.
For trees that are already clearly failing or where removal is likely to be recommended, it is helpful to understand what safe tree removal involves. You can read more about that process on our tree removal and tree felling pages.
If you are in Hertfordshire and would like an experienced, friendly team to assess your trees on site, contact Hertfordshire Trees on 07775743861. We can arrange a visit, provide a clear, honest opinion on the level of risk, and talk you through the most sensible way to manage your trees.
