SITE RESOURCES
RECOGNIZING TREE FAILURE
​
TREE RISK ASSESSMENT
​
TREE PRESERVATION
​
TREE MAINTENANCE
​
CONTACTING AN ARBORIST
​
HOW TO REPORT
​
REPORTING FORM
​
MONTANA DATABASE
​
RESOURCE LINKS
BARTLETT TREE SERVICE
​
VT - TREE STEWARD MANUAL
​
NIH - TREE FAILURE
​
PURDUE UNIV. - TREE DEFECT I.D.
​
UNIV. OF CA - WESTERN DATABASE
​
USDA - TREE EVALUATION
​
FOREST PATHOLOGY
​
ISA - ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
CONTACT MTFD
MONTANA TREE FAILURE DATABASE (MTFD)
Home Page
The MTFD Project is available as an open-source format that would function as a historical and visual aide for arborists and community foresters who are tasked with the assignment of private and/or public visual tree assessments (VTA), or tree risk assessments (TRA).
It's premise is that by viewing tree failure scenarios in Montana, those who perform VTA's and TRA's can use this source by comparing similar scenarios they may be working under to help better their judgements and opinions of predicting future tree, or tree part, failures. Predicting tree failures is a very difficult task and having the benefit to view prior failures that include basic summary information could improve the state's tree predictive analysis.
This project is not designed to assign final tree risk ratings, as based on the ISA TRA Matrix 1 and Matrix 2 forms. It should be viewed as another tool in the tree failure toolbox that could be useful for field arborists. Both the International Tree Failure Database and the basic ISA TRA form include data cells relative to past site history. The Montana Tree Failure Database (MTFD) would enhance and improve the important, but often times forgotten, information on a local and state level here in Montana. Feel free to use this site's contact form
(sidebar below) for any suggestions, thoughts or comments that could improve the project.
ABOUT TREE FAILURES
Trees fail when the force (gravity, wind or both) applied to them is too strong. Structural defects predispose a tree to failure, even under normal weather conditions. There are seven groups of defects/conditions arborists look for when assessing for a likelihood of failure. These are:
dead parts/dying tree
broken/hanging branches
cracks
weakly attached branches/co-dominant stems
decay
architectural issues such as lean
root/soil problems
Some of these problems are relatively easy to spot. Just looking at a tree, a property owner might notice that it is leaning, that a branch is hanging or that there is a crack. The severity of the defect may or may not be apparent at that time.
Some defects like internal decay or root decay are not readily visible. Root problems like girdling roots may also be hidden under soil or mulch.
A visual examination of the tree by a certified arborist is the best way to identify if a tree is at risk of failure. Remember, solutions other than removal may be an option in some cases. Depending on the defect, pruning may be an effective strategy for reducing the risk of failure. Support systems (cables, braces, guys, props) also work well to address a number of structural issues.
-Bartlett Tree Experts​
ABOUT US....
This site made possible by: Northern Rockies Tree School, Mike Garvey, RCA, CA, TRAQ, ASCA, ISA and Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association