by J Pokorny, J O’Brien, R Hauer, G Johnson, J Albers, P Medker, M Mielke
USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, St. Paul, MN
2003This in-depth, practical handbook offers urban forestry professionals guidance on managing tree risk and developing a tree risk management plan. The first chapter introduces the topic of risk management in the context of trees and explains why it is critical for communities to have a risk management plan. Chapter 2 outlines the key steps in designing a risk management plan, including making sure the plan is suited to the needs of the individual community. In Chapter 3, practical details of tree defects are given. Seven of the most common defects are described and illustrated, and the most common kinds of defects for a number of species are presented. Useful tools for assessing defects are also described. The focus of Chapter 4 is preventing hazardous tree defects before they occur, e.g., by choosing healthy stock and using proper planting techniques. Chapter 5 describes how to correct hazardous defects.