So I found a stat that 90% of tree failures happen from root issues, not the canopy

I was reading through some ISA research papers last night and ran across a fact that really made me stop and think. It said something like 90% of tree failures during storms come from root system problems, not broken limbs or trunk snaps like most people assume. That surprised me because I've spent so much time focusing on cabling and pruning for wind load, but maybe I've been looking at the wrong thing entirely. On one hand, root inspections are tough to do in urban settings with pavement and compacted soil all around. On the other hand, if we're missing the main cause of failure, are we really doing our job? I'm torn between thinking we need more root assessment training versus accepting that we can't always get to the roots. Has anyone else seen this stat or changed their inspection routines based on root conditions?

2 comments

2 Comments

laura_wright1mo ago

I mean, how much of that 90% is just common sense stuff like compacted soil or standing water versus something you can actually fix? Feels like a stat that sounds scarier than it really is for most trees.

walker.max1mo ago

Doesn't that stat just mean the roots couldn't hold, not that the root system itself was bad?