white Sound Tree Care LLC logo

Professional Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) Services

Sound Tree Care provides professional Tree Risk Assessments performed by a TRAQ-Qualified ISA Certified Arborist. Using industry-standard TRAQ methodology, specialized diagnostic tools, and over 20 years of climbing and assessment experience, we evaluate structural defects, site conditions, and potential hazards to help you make informed, defensible decisions about your trees.


Based in the Seattle–Tacoma metro area and serving clients throughout Washington State.


Certified Tree Risk Assessment & Hazard Evaluation Services

Written by AJ Flanigan , ISA Certified Arborist
Reviewed by Eric Ledford , ISA Certified Arborist (PN-9290A)

🌳 Trusted Tree Risk Assessments by TRAQ-Qualified Arborists

Tree risk decisions require more than opinions — they require defensible, documented professional judgment. Sound Tree Care provides TRAQ-compliant Tree Risk Assessments performed by ISA Certified Arborists and Qualified Tree Risk Assessors with decades of field experience evaluating hazardous trees across Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region.

Our assessments follow ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) methodology, the industry standard relied upon by municipalities, insurance carriers, HOAs, engineers, and permitting departments. Every evaluation considers tree structure, site conditions, targets, and load factors to determine likelihood of failure, likelihood of impact, and consequences of failure — not guesswork.

We’re trusted for clear, unbiased arborist reports that support:

  • Hazard tree determinations
  • Permit and code compliance
  • Insurance and liability documentation
  • Construction and development planning
  • Emergency and post-storm evaluations

All work is performed or reviewed by ISA Certified Arborists, following ANSI A300 standards, ANSI Z133 safety requirements, and applicable local tree codes throughout Seattle, Bellevue, and surrounding cities.

⭐ Why Clients Rely on Our Tree Risk Assessments

✔ ISA Certified Arborists & TRAQ-Qualified Assessors

✔ Defensible, written arborist reports

✔ Trusted by cities, HOAs, insurers, and homeowners

✔ Deep experience with ECAs, slopes, and regulated sites

✔ Local knowledge of Seattle & King County tree codes

👉 Request a Tree Risk Assessment or Schedule an Arborist Report Call to get a clear, professional evaluation you can rely on.

What Is a Tree Risk Assessment?

A Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) is a formal evaluation of a tree’s likelihood of failure, the potential consequences, and recommended mitigation options. TRAQ assessments follow the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification methodology, considered the industry standard for determining tree stability and safety.

Homeowners, HOAs, contractors, insurance companies, and city permitting departments rely on TRAQ assessments when:

  • A tree shows signs of structural instability or decay
  • There is concern about whole-tree failure or large limb failure
  • A tree has previously failed or lost major canopy
  • Trees are located on slopes, in ECAs, or limited soil conditions
  • Construction, excavation, or grading has altered root zones
  • Trees are leaning toward homes, roads, or utilities
  • Multiple targets fall within 1x tree height


TRAQ assessments are commonly used to:

  • Support hazard tree removal permit applications
  • Justify pruning vs. removal decisions
  • Establish documented risk ratings (Low–Extreme)
  • Provide defensible recommendations for cities
  • Satisfy insurance or real estate disclosure requirements
  • Guide mitigation planning and monitoring timelines
  • Reduce liability for property owners and HOAs

Why Choose a TRAQ-Qualified Arborist?

Not all arborists are trained to evaluate tree risk. TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) is a specialized ISA certification requiring advanced knowledge of biomechanics, structural defects, load factors, species-specific failure profiles, and standardized documentation.

Our TRAQ Assessments Include:

  • Detailed structural analysis
  • Root collar and soil evaluation
  • Canopy health assessment
  • Identification of decay, cracks, cavities & defects


  • Load factor analysis (wind, snow, exposure, slope)
  • Assessment of targets (homes, walkways, vehicles, powerlines)
  • Photographic documentation
  • Clear, defensible written recommendations

This level of expertise ensures your assessment is accurate, consistent, and respected by regulators and insurance providers.


What Our TRAQ Assessments Evaluate

Every Sound Tree Care assessment includes a practical, field-based evaluation of the factors below.

🌲 Structural Defects

  • Cracks, shear planes, splits
  • Dead tops, hangers, broken limbs
  • Poor unions, codominant stems, included bark

🌱 Root & Soil Conditions

  • Root plate movement
  • Soil saturation & limited volume
  • Root rot indicators
  • Compaction, excavation, cuts

🪵 Decay Detection

  • Fungal bodies (conks)
  • Cavities and hollows
  • Sounding and probing

🍃 Tree Health

  • Vigor, foliage density
  • Insect/disease signs
  • Site changes impacting stress

🏠 Target Zones

  • Homes, driveways, cars
  • Neighboring properties
  • Sidewalks, play areas
  • Streets, powerlines

🌬️ Load Factors

  • Wind exposure (especially SSW in Puget Sound)
  • Slope
  • Soil conditions
  • Canopy weight distribution

Our TRAQ Assessment Process

We follow the structured ISA TRAQ methodology to ensure consistency, accuracy, and defensible outcomes.

1. Initial Consultation

  • Discuss client concerns and objectives
  • Review tree history and prior work
  • Identify and document recent site or environmental changes

2. On-Site Evaluation

  • Ground-based inspection
  • Structural condition and tree health
  • Roots, soil, and canopy assessment
  • Data Collection and Recording with CompanyCam

3. Tools & Measurement

  • Nikon Forestry Pro laser rangefinder
  • Diameter tape (DSH measurement)
  • Soil probe
  • Mallet for sounding
  • Moisture & decay indicators
  • Flagging ribbon for root zone mapping

4. Risk Analysis

  • Likelihood of failure
  • Likelihood of impact
  • Consequences of failure
  • Overall risk rating (Low–Extreme)

5. Recommendations

  • Pruning or load reduction
  • Monitoring
  • Tree removal
  • Cabling or bracing (if applicable)
  • Soil remediation
  • Root zone protection

6. Written Arborist Report (If Needed)

  • City permit applications
  • Hazard tree removal approvals
  • Insurance claims
  • Real estate disclosures
  • HOA requirements
  • Neighbor or boundary disputes

Many properties in the Puget Sound region fall within Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs)—including steep slopes, riparian corridors, wetlands, and shoreline buffers. Trees in these areas are subject to stricter evaluation standards and, in many cases, mandatory arborist reporting before work can proceed.

We provide TRAQ-compliant tree risk assessments specifically tailored for regulated sites, evaluating both tree condition and site constraints such as:

  • Slope instability and soil movement risk
  • Soil saturation and drainage patterns
  • Root exposure and restricted root zones
  • Hydrology changes and erosion potential
  • Limited access and equipment constraints

For properties located within regulated areas, our assessments align with Seattle SDCI requirements, as well as neighboring jurisdictions with similar protections.

👉 Learn more about tree work in Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs)

Our reports are routinely accepted by Seattle SDCI, Bellevue Development Services, and other cities with regulated critical areas—helping prevent delays, corrections, or permit denials.

🔒Permitting & Local Tree Code Considerations

A Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) or formal arborist report is commonly required when trees exceed local city diameter thresholds, are located within Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs) such as wetlands or steep slopes, or are positioned near property lines, shared boundaries, or public rights-of-way. Reports are also frequently mandated when trees are identified as potential hazards due to defects, lean, soil instability, or proximity to people, structures, or infrastructure.

These requirements are designed to ensure public safety, protect regulated trees, and verify that proposed work complies with applicable municipal tree codes and permitting standards.

📝When a TRAQ or Arborist Report Is Commonly Required

A Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) or formal arborist report is commonly required when trees exceed local city diameter thresholds, are located within Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs) such as wetlands or steep slopes, or are positioned near property lines, shared boundaries, or public rights-of-way. Reports are also frequently mandated when trees are identified as potential hazards due to defects, lean, soil instability, or proximity to people, structures, or infrastructure.

These requirements are designed to ensure public safety, protect regulated trees, and verify that proposed work complies with applicable municipal tree codes and permitting standards.

🏛️ We Prepare Permit-Ready TRAQ Reports

We prepare permit-ready TRAQ and arborist reports that align with local review standards for Seattle (SDCI) as well as neighboring jurisdictions including Bellevue, Redmond, Renton, Kent, Des Moines, Sammamish, Shoreline, and Tukwila. Our reports are also tailored for shoreline- and wetland-regulated properties, where additional scrutiny and documentation are often required.

By aligning assessments with each city’s specific code language and review expectations, we help homeowners, HOAs, and contractors avoid delays, correction notices, or permit denials.

💬Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) FAQs

Tree Risk Assessments help property owners understand whether a tree presents a safety risk, requires professional mitigation, or can be managed through monitoring or pruning. Below are answers to common questions about TRAQ-certified tree risk assessments, hazard tree evaluations, and arborist reports used for permits, insurance claims, and municipal review across Seattle, Bellevue, and the greater Puget Sound region.

These answers are based on ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) standards and local permitting requirements.

  • ❓Is a Tree Risk Assessment required for removal?

    In many cities, yes. Municipalities such as Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, and Sammamish often require a documented Tree Risk Assessment before approving removal—especially when trees are located within Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs), steep slopes, shorelines, or near property lines.


    A TRAQ-qualified assessment provides objective documentation of tree condition, risk factors, and recommended mitigation, which is commonly required for permits, hazard tree approvals, and appeals.

  • ❓How long does an evaluation take?

    Arborist inspects a tree

    Most on-site tree risk assessments take 30–90 minutes, depending on the number of trees, site conditions, and access. More complex sites—such as properties with steep slopes, wetlands, construction impacts, or multiple targets—may require additional time and documentation.


    If a written arborist report is needed for permitting, insurance, or legal purposes, turnaround time is typically a few business days, depending on complexity and agency requirements.

  • ❓Do you climb the tree?

    Logo of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: a white, abstract symbol on a blue background, next to text.

    Most Tree Risk Assessments are completed using ground-based inspection techniques, including visual evaluation, probing, sounding, and professional diagnostic tools.


    Tree climbing is not always necessary and is only performed when it is required for clarity and can be done safely. Any climbing or aerial inspection is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

  • ❓Can you help with insurance claims?

    Washington State silhouette graphic

    Yes. We regularly provide TRAQ-compliant Tree Risk Assessments and arborist reports used to support insurance claims involving storm damage, fallen trees, or hazardous conditions.


    Our documentation helps establish tree condition, likelihood of failure, and contributing site factors, which insurers often require when evaluating coverage and responsibility.

  • ❓What if the tree isn’t hazardous?

    If a tree is determined to be low-risk or not hazardous, we clearly document that finding. In many cases, no immediate action is required beyond monitoring, pruning, or site management recommendations.


    A professional risk assessment provides peace of mind by confirming when a tree does not require removal, helping property owners avoid unnecessary work while maintaining safety.

Content Authorship & Review

This page is written and reviewed by ISA Certified Arborists to support clear, accurate guidance for homeowners in the Puget Sound region.

Written By
AJ Flanagan, ISA Certified Arborist

AJ Flanigan

Assistant Operations Manager

ISA Certified Arborist (PN-374999A)

AJ supports on-site assessments and practical recommendations for tree pruning, removals, and safety decisions across the Puget Sound region. This page reflects field experience and current arboricultural standards.

Reviewed By
Eric Ledford, ISA Certified Arborist and TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor

Eric Ledford

Founder, Sound Tree Care LLC

ISA Certified Arborist (PN-9290A) • TRAQ • NUCA Dig Safe

Eric reviewed this page for accuracy and alignment with ISA best practices, ANSI A300 guidance, and common municipal permitting considerations in the Puget Sound region. This content is informational and not legal advice.

🌲Schedule a Professional Tree Risk Assessment


Get clarity, confidence, and a defensible expert opinion. Our TRAQ-Qualified team provides fast, professional evaluations across Seattle, Bellevue, and the greater Puget Sound.

 

✅ Free, No-Obligation Estimates

🪵 Full Cleanup & Debris Removal

🏗️ Permit Guidance for Seattle, Tacoma & Local Cities

⚠️ Safe Work Procedures for Removals, Rigging & Aerial Operations


🧰 ISA Certified Arborists, TRAQ-Qualified

⭐ 5-Star Rated on Google, Yelp & Facebook

🛡️ Licensed, Insured & Code-Compliant

🥇 Experience the Sound Difference: Trusted. Local. Professional.


 📞 Call us now at 206-486-7790 – Click to call!
📝 Request a Request Tree Risk Assessment:
Client Hub

📍 Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Issaquah, Tacoma & Beyond