Traditional tree assessment relies heavily on visual inspections and expert judgment. While these methods are valuable, they are subjective and lack quantifiable, repeatable metrics. Scientific tree stability assessment requires objective, data-driven methods that consider:
– Mechanical forces acting on trees, particularly wind load and gravitational forces.
– Decay, defects, and hollowness in tree trunks and how they affect structural stability.
– Tree architecture and biomechanics, including stress distribution across cross-sections.