Tree Safety Is a Duty of Care Issue, Not a Visual One

In schools and education facilities, tree safety is not about aesthetics or convenience. It is about duty of care.

Playgrounds, ovals, drop-off zones, and pedestrian areas all place children and staff beneath trees every day. While most trees pose no immediate danger, unmanaged risks can develop gradually and go unnoticed until an incident occurs.

This checklist is designed to help facilities and grounds managers identify when professional arborist input is required — before risk becomes liability.

Why Visual Inspections Alone Are Not Enough

Many tree hazards are not obvious from ground level. Structural weaknesses, decay, and root instability often develop internally or below the soil surface.

Relying solely on:

• age
• size
• past stability
• seasonal appearance

can create a false sense of security.

High-Priority Risk Zones in Education Settings

Tree assessment should focus first on areas of highest use and exposure:

• Playgrounds and play equipment
• Sports ovals and courts
• Assembly areas
• Pedestrian pathways
• Drop-off and pick-up zones
• Outdoor learning spaces
• Boundary trees adjacent to neighbouring properties

Risk Identification Checklist

Facilities teams should flag trees for professional review if any of the following are observed.

Structural Indicators

• Leaning trees or sudden changes in posture
• Multiple stems with weak unions
• Large overextended limbs above play areas
• Cracks or splits in trunks or major branches

Canopy & Branch Health

• Dead or dying limbs
• Hanging branches caught in the canopy
• Excessive epicormic growth after past pruning
• Uneven or thinning canopy in mature trees

Root Zone Concerns

• Cracking or heaving soil
• Exposed or damaged roots
• Evidence of construction impact near root zones
• Drainage issues or persistent water pooling

Decay & Fungal Indicators

• Fungal growth near the base or trunk
• Hollow sounds when tapped
• Cavities or soft wood
• Termite or pest activity

Common Mistakes in School Tree Management

• Relying on reactive storm inspections only
• Delaying assessment until holidays are over
• Assuming pruning automatically reduces risk
• Treating all trees the same regardless of species or age
• Removing trees unnecessarily without assessment

Why Proactive Assessment Matters

A documented arborist assessment:

• demonstrates due diligence
• supports compliance obligations
• prioritises works logically
• reduces emergency call-outs
• provides defensible records if incidents occur

Importantly, it allows planning to occur during low-disruption windows such as school holidays.

What a Sensible Next Step Looks Like

If any checklist items raise concern, a professional arborist assessment provides clarity without committing to immediate work.

For education facilities, a documented arborist assessment is the most effective way to manage risk, demonstrate duty of care, and plan works responsibly.