Tree Failure Investigations

Trees tend to fail during inclement weather. However, not every tree fails during a storm. Simply put, weaker trees tend to fail before stronger trees. Understanding how trees stand against the test of time, weather and wind events requires specialized knowledge and attention to detail. Tree failure investigations often begin with a claimant or plaintiff for wrongful death, personal injury or property damage matters. Their claims, often substantial, could be against a diligent property owner, an unscrupulous contractor or absent management.

Whether you are a claimant, defendant, insurance carrier, agent or designated counsel, your case will benefit from objective analysis of data, attention to detail and deep understanding of the subject matter.

Trenching too close to a tree can lead to tree failure. — Trenching too close to a tree can cause it to fail during normal weather conditions.

Trenching through the critical root plate can lead to a tree failure investigation — Construction damage to trees is very common, but may not be visible for several years.

From brief thunderstorms to nor’easters, microbursts and hurricanes, storms occur year after year. Free of disease, defect or site changes, trees acclimate to their environment over a period of decades. Sudden changes in the environment can result in disaster for the tree and people living within their shade.

As the years pass, trees may show only minimal symptoms of stress, vandalism, or carelessness. Forensic and insurance investigations often lead back to dramatic changes at a site or damage that occurred during development.

Tree Failure Investigations Involving Construction

Tree failure investigation leading to basement excavation within the critical root zone of a mature oak tree. — Trees adjacent to construction often fail during typical inclement weather or wither over time.

During some tree failure investigations, we may not have the benefit of direct knowledge, evidence or observation, but there are often signs of disturbance left at a site that can be observed. These can include new buildings, additions, utilities, curbing, sidewalk or other features.

Tree failure next to new sidewalk and curbing — This large tree failed during a storm.

Although not conclusive by the existence of new construction, tree failure investigations require working knowledge of how and why the construction occurred.

Tree failure investigations often lead to substantial root damage — The old curb was removed and roots were ground to make space for the new curbing. When compete, a beautiful new curb will line the edge of the street, the area backfilled and seeded for grass. The tree may not show any symptoms for several years or it could fall over during the first storm.

In other cases trees do not simply fall over, instead they decline and succumb to, common, but less virulent pathogens. In a few of these cases, sizable limbs call fail resulting in damage, injury, or death.

New construction damage to trees — During construction, soil is often highly disturbed and tree roots are destroyed through grading and excavation. Trees that are not damaged enough to fall over tend to decline over a period of years, sometimes shedding large limbs on the area below.

For more information about our arborist consulting services, please contact us today. We will be happy to discuss your needs and offer you the independent, expert advice and guidance you require.