ISA offers a variety of educational material and products to help arborists expand their professional knowledge and experience. Every month, we will feature a product or group of products. In the month of March, ISA is featuring the new third edition of the Best Management Practices (BMP) – Tree Risk Assessment written by E. Thomas Smiley, Nelda Matheny, and Sharon Lilly.

Trees provide significant benefits to our homes and cities, but when trees fall and injure people or damage property, they are liabilities. Understanding and addressing the risks associated with trees makes the area safer and prolongs the life of the tree.

The BMP – Tree Risk Assessment serves as an essential resource for arborists, empowering them to assess risks with accuracy and consistency, evaluate potential hazards, and recommend strategies to maintain an acceptable level of risk. 

This third edition boasts updated, vibrant full-color illustrations available in both print and digital formats, ensuring clarity and engagement. Furthermore, it serves as a companion to Clause 13 of the ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards and offers a corresponding Continuing Education Unit (CEU) opportunity.

The BMP series was meticulously developed to interpret tree care standards and provide valuable guidance to arborists, tree care professionals, and their teams. Key topics addressed in this BMP include:

• Fundamental principles of risk assessment
• Levels and scopes of tree risk assessment
• Tree risk categorization
• Reporting risks
• Tree-related conflicts and much more

While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks associated with trees, arborists must develop an understanding of acceptable risk levels. The BMP – Tree Risk Assessment equips arborists with the knowledge of crucial processes, tools, and equipment necessary for effective risk evaluation. This resource allows professionals to implement treatments that manage risks without resorting to unnecessary interventions, ultimately fostering a safer environment for both the community and the trees we protect.

Purchase your copy today!