Professional Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ) Services
Certified Tree Risk Assessment & Hazard Evaluation 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.
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 appears hazardous
- A tree has structural defects or decay
- Construction or excavation may affect roots
- A permit requires documentation
- A tree leans toward a home or high-use area
- A tree is located in a steep slope or ECA
- Storm damage has occurred
- Neighbor disputes arise
A good assessment provides clarity — not guesswork.
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.
Professional Work Backed by Tree Risk Assessor Qualifications
All work completed by Sound Tree Care is performed or supervised by ISA Certified Arborists. Our services follow ANSI Z133 safety standards and ANSI A300 pruning guidelines to ensure proper arboricultural care, long-term tree health, and compliance with Seattle and King County regulations.
Written by Dana Ledford, ISA Certified Arborist & Permitting and Compliance Specialist
Dana Ledford
Office Manager
Elevates operations, maintains client satisfaction, and ensures administrative compliance for Sound Tree Care LLC.
This page was written by Dana Ledford, an ISA Certified Arborist and Sound Tree Care’s permitting and compliance specialist. Dana manages construction-related arborist reports, permitting workflows, and municipal code compliance for cities throughout the Puget Sound region. She has deep expertise in protected tree regulations, ECA requirements, and pre-application guidance for homeowners and builders.
What Our TRAQ Assessments Evaluate
Every Sound Tree Care assessment includes an evaluation of:
🌲 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 evaluations are practical, defensible, and based on real field experience.
Our TRAQ Assessment Process
We follow the structured ISA TRAQ methodology to ensure consistency and accuracy:
1. Initial Consultation
Discuss concerns, history, recent site changes, and objectives.
2. On-Site Evaluation
Ground-based inspection focusing on structure, health, roots, soil, and canopy.
3. Tools & Measurement
Using professional diagnostic tools:
- 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
Calculate:
- Likelihood of failure
- Likelihood of impact
- Consequences of failure
- Overall risk rating (Low–Extreme)
5. Recommendations
Options include:
- Pruning or load reduction
- Monitoring
- Tree removal
- Cabling/bracing (if applicable)
- Soil remediation
- Root zone protection
6. Written Arborist Report (If Needed)
Clear documentation suitable for:
- City permits
- Hazard tree removal approval
- Insurance claims
- Real estate disclosures
- HOA requirements
- Neighbor disputes
Tree Risk Assessments in ECAs, Slopes & Wetlands
Many properties in the Puget Sound region fall within Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs), including steep slopes, riparian zones, wetlands, and shorelines.
These areas require
specialized evaluation and often
mandatory reporting.
We provide TRAQ-compliant assessments that consider:
- Slope instability
- Soil saturation
- Root exposure
- Hydrology changes
- Restricted root zones
- Erosion risks
- Site accessibility
Our reports meet the requirements for Seattle SDCI, Bellevue Development Services, and other cities with regulated critical areas.
🔒 Permitting & Local Code Expertise
Many cities require an arborist report before approving a tree removal, especially when trees are:
- Larger than city thresholds
- Located in ECAs or steep slopes
- Close to property lines
- Potential hazards
- Adjacent to public rights-of-way
We prepare Tree Risk Assessments and Arborist Reports for:
- Seattle SDCI
- Bellevue Tree Code
- Redmond
- Renton
- Kent
- Des Moines
- Sammamish
- Shoreline & Tukwila
- Wetland and shoreline regulations
Reviewed By: Eric Ledford ISA Certified Arborist & Qualified Tree Risk Assessor
Founder, Sound Tree Care LLC ISA Certified Arborist (PN-9290A) Qualified Tree Risk Assessor (TRAQ) NUCA DigSafe Certified
This content has been reviewed by Eric Ledford, ISA Certified Arborist (PN-9290A) and TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. Eric verifies that all recommendations reflect current ISA best management practices, ANSI A300 standards, and applicable municipal tree regulations in the Puget Sound region.
💬 Certified Arborist FAQs
Tree Risk Assessments help homeowners understand whether a tree is structurally sound, hazardous, or in need of professional mitigation. Below are answers to the most common questions about TRAQ-certified assessments, hazard tree evaluations, and arborist reports required for removals, insurance claims, and city permitting across Seattle, Bellevue, and the broader Puget Sound region.
❓Is a Tree Risk Assessment required for removal?
Learn about Tree Removal CostsMany cities (Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish) require a documented risk assessment before approving removal, especially in ECAs.
❓How long does an evaluation take?
Most inspections take 30–60 minutes. Reports are typically delivered within 24–48 hours.Yes. We provide neutral, professional assessments for neighbor conflicts and boundary tree issues.
❓Do you climb the tree?
Most TRAQ evaluations are ground-based Level 2 assessments. Aerial inspections can be performed if required.
❓Can you help with insurance claims?
Yes. We provide defensible documentation for insurance, real estate, and legal reviews.
❓What if the tree isn’t hazardous?
We’ll tell you honestly — and provide maintenance recommendations or monitoring schedules.
🌲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!
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📍 Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Issaquah, Tacoma & Beyond
