Tree Risk Assessments For Beaverton Businesses
Beaverton is a city located in Washington County, Oregon, United States. It is a relatively new city, incorporated in 1994. As of 2016, the population was 88,836.
As mentioned before, beavers can cause significant tree damage to property and trees. This can cost businesses money in removal costs and potentially lose customers.
To prevent costly tree losses due to beaver activity, the City of Beaverton has begun providing free tree risk assessments for properties located inside city limits. The assessment will determine if there is any beaver activity on your property that needs to be addressed.
There are two ways to obtain a tree risk assessment. The first way is by emailing TreeAssessment@BeavertonOregon.gov with your name and address. The second way is by calling the City of Beaverton at 503-526-2216 and asking to speak to someone about obtaining a tree assessment.
Identify possible mitigation actions
Once you have assessed the risk, you can assess what can be done to mitigate the risk. Mitigation actions are how you reduce the risk of an event happening.
For instance, if you find that your area has a high likelihood of tree damage from wind events, you can invest in tree care services to keep the trees healthy. You can also have experts come and assess which trees may be at greatest risk of failure and replace them before a storm hits.
By watching the weather forecasts and tracking any tropical storms or hurricanes that may hit your area, you can also prepare for evacuation. By having this advance notice, people will be more prepared and less likely to get hurt or lose property.
Beaverton businesses should also make sure their buildings are earthquake-proofed. Since earthquakes occur both locally and down south, this is a good precaution to take.
Consult an arborist
If you have concerns about the health of a tree on your property or in your neighborhood, consult an arborist. An arborist is a tree care professional who has extensive education and experience regarding the maintenance and health of trees.
Arborists have varying degrees of education, training, and experience. Make sure to research any arborists you find to make sure they are competent. Check for any member organizations they belong to as well as certification through the International Society of Arboriculture.
Arborists can perform tree risk assessments which examine the composition, structure, and condition of trees to determine their risk of failure. These assessments can be performed on either private or public trees so that they can be managed properly.
If you find that your trees are at risk of failure due to insect infestation or other causes, an arborist can help manage that threat.
Develop a plan for mitigation actions
As beaver activity increases, so should your awareness and preparedness. There are a number of ways you can mitigate the risk of tree damage from beavers.
Look at your trees every few days and keep an eye out for new damns or changes in the shape or height of the tree. If there is a dam, check if water is coming through the tree roots- if it is, then there is likely little that can be done except watch and remove the tree when it dies.
Keep an eye out for trees that are under stress. If you notice any dropping leaves or foliage color change, investigate what the cause may be and take action to fix it.
Insecure trees
A large threat to businesses comes from trees that may be unstable or may fall. These trees can come down due to weather events like strong winds or heavy rain, or due to tree risk factors like disease or pests.
When a tree is diseased or infested with insects or fungi, it can lose strength and stability. If this happens, the tree may need to be removed before a storm even hits.
If trees in your area are being affected by drought, this can also lead to weakened trees. When a tree lacks water and nutrients, it is more likely to die.
If you notice trees in your area looking unhealthy or brittle, taking pictures and sharing them with local officials can help them assess the risk of tree failure.
Damaged trees
Another threat to trees is damage caused by outside forces, like wind and storm damage. If a tree is damaged or in danger of being damaged, it needs to be removed as soon as possible.
Beavers specializes in tree removal and hazard assessment, so they are well equipped to handle these tasks.
Removing a tree that may cause damage or injury is crucial before the next storm hits. Once the storm passes, it is best to call a professional to come check if the tree needs to be removed or not.
Beavers also does insect and disease control which is very important for the health of trees. Insects can spread quickly so Beavers uses specific products to control these bugs.
Prune trees properly
Trees are an important part of any landscape. They provide shade, they add aesthetic value to a property, and they help regulate the temperature and air quality.
However, trees can also be a liability if they are not maintained properly. For example, if trees are not pruned or trimmed back annually, they can become a safety hazard. Branches and twigs can break off and fall onto a property or into power lines.
Landowners have a legal responsibility to keep people safe on their property. If someone was injured due to a tree on your property, you could be held liable for not maintaining the tree.
Properly pruning and trimming trees is one way to prevent these issues. We at Arnold Arboriculture recommend scheduling annual tree inspections to check the health of your trees and what needs to be done during the season to keep them healthy.
Consider tree protection devices
In areas with a high beaver population, it’s important to perform regular tree risk assessments. This includes monitoring for tree damage, vulnerable trees, and trees that need to be replaced or pruned.
Beavers are known for their gnawing behavior. This can range from small trimming to complete felling of a tree. Beavers typically target softwood trees like aspen and Douglas fir.
To prevent damage from beavers, professionals recommend the use of protective devices. One such device is the TreeProtector which uses a patented design to protect vulnerable trees from being eaten by beavers.
Other devices like fencing or nets can also be used to protect trees in your area. It is important to check your area for any signs of beaver activity and take action quickly before serious damage is done.
Evaluate structural weaknesses of trees
Beavers can cause a lot of damage to trees, so it is important to assess the risk of a tree falling on someone. If a beaver has gnawed on the tree trunk and branches, the structural integrity is weakened.
Beavers can cut into the trunk and even remove pieces of the tree altogether with their sharp teeth and powerful jaws. If this has happened, it is safer to assume that the tree could fall.
Removing part of the root system or water source can help prevent this, but it is hard to do so unless you are a trained professional.
Beavers usually target trees near waterways, so if you notice your tree has been attacked by a beaver, check if there is any water nearby your property. If there isn”t, then contacting an expert is necessary.
