After a hazard tree evaluation, which actions are typically included in the mitigation planning?

• A. Pruning to reduce risk and removal where necessary
• B. Replacing with a different species
• C. Fertilization schedule only
• D. Painting the trunk

Answer: (A)

Mitigation planning after a hazard tree evaluation focuses on reducing risk to people and property by directly addressing the tree’s defects and instability. The typical actions are pruning to remove or reduce dangerous limbs and removing the tree when necessary. Pruning helps because it eliminates deadwood, weak attachments, and compromised branches, lessening the chances of failure during wind, ice, or storm events while preserving a healthy portion of the tree if feasible. Removal is chosen when the tree cannot be made safe or the risk remains too high even after pruning.

The other options don’t directly mitigate the hazard. Painting the trunk doesn’t impact structural defects and isn’t a recognized mitigation practice. A fertilization schedule alone doesn’t reduce risk from decay or structural failure. Replacing with a different species is more about long-term landscape planning than addressing the immediate hazard posed by the existing tree.